Elios Charitable Foundation Hosts 10th Anniversary Hellenic Charity Ball Tonight

SAN FRANCISCO (September 8, 2015) - The Elios Charitable Foundation announced today the program and honorees for the 10th Anniversary Hellenic Charity Ball, to be held tonight, November 14, 2015 at Westin St. Francis on Union Square (335 Powell Street, San Francisco). One of San Francisco's most star-studded events, the biennial gala pays tribute to distinguished arts and entertainment luminaries in the Greek-American community and is the principal source of funding for the Elios Charitable Foundation. This year's honorees include cinematographer and director Constantine Makris ("Law & Order," "Orange is the New Black"); actor and dancer Gilles Marini ("Sex and the City: The Movie," "Brothers & Sisters") and comedian Demetri Martin ("The Daily Show," "Important Things with Demetri Martin"). Singer-songwriter Ariana Savalas, will be presented with the Elios Spotlight Award and 2009 Hellenic Charity Ball Honoree, Marilu Henner, will be the evening's emcee. Tickets for the Hellenic Charity Ball start at $400, with table sponsorships starting at $4,000. For more information and to reserve tickets, please visit elios.org/.

"For 20 years, the evening has paid tribute to outstanding achievements made by Greeks in arts & entertainment, celebrating the glamour of Hollywood in an atmosphere reminiscent of a Greek wedding," says John Gumas, Elios Charitable Foundation President. "The Hellenic Charity Ball has given Elios a fundraising platform, allowing for investment in the celebration and preservation of Hellenic culture."

Committed to preserving and celebrating Greek heritage, Elios Charitable Foundation directs proceeds from the gala to support like-minded organizations and projects which include Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Modern Greek Studies Program at San Francisco State University, the Center for Tebtunis Papyri at UC-Berkeley, Hellenic Heritage Institute, Hellenic Research Fellowship Program at Sacramento State University, Metropolis of San Francisco Folk Dance Cultural Programs, Modern Greek Studies Foundation for the San Francisco Greek Film Festival, Nemea Center at UC-Berkeley, PBS for the documentary The Greek Americans II: Passing the Torch, and United Hellenic American Society.

The 2015 Honorees:

Constantine Makris

Constantine Makris is a Greek-American television director, producer, and cinematographer. Makris became especially well-known for his work on Law & Order, for which he was the cinematographer for 156 of its episodes. His work on Law & Order led to him winning three cinematography-related Emmy Awards in the years of 1993, 1997, and 1998; and a nomination in 2000. That same year, Makris became a television director, first starting with two episodes of the TV series Deadline. He has since directed 62 episodes for Law & Order, and also directed for its spin-offs Law & Order: SVU (for which he directed 25 episodes), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (for which he directed nine episodes), the short-lived Law & Order: Trial by Jury (for which he directed two episodes), and Law & Order: LA (for which he directed only one episode). Makris also directed episodes for The Unusuals, FlashForward, Rescue Me, Warehouse 13, and Criminal Minds. Most recently, Constantine directed five Orange is the New Black episodes.

Gilles Marini

Marini found himself in the international spotlight after appearing in what some have called the second greatest shower scene in film history in 2008's Sex and the City: The Movie. He was then cast in ABC's eighth season of Dancing with the Stars where he quickly became a fan favorite, finishing second by less than one percent of the votes. He was also invited to participate in the first ever All-Stars edition

of DWTS after viewers voted Marini the "Best All-Time DWTS Contestant." Marini was introduced as a recurring character on ABC's hit family drama Brothers & Sisters in Fall 2009. In the fall of 2011 Gilles was cast in his current role as Angelo Sorrento in ABC Family's critically acclaimed family drama, Switched at Birth.

Demetri Martin

Demetri Martin is a standup comedian, writer, director and actor. He has released two comedy albums, These Are Jokes and Demetri Martin: Standup Comedian. He has released three hour-long comedy specials, Demetri Martin: Person, Demetri Martin: Standup Comedian, and Demetri Martin Live (At the Time), which is currently streaming on Netflix. His first theatrical one-man show, If I, won the Perrier Award at the International Fringe Festival. After writing and appearing as a featured performer on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Demetri created and starred in his own television series called Important Things with Demetri Martin. Demetri is currently editing his first feature film, an independent movie which he wrote and directed. He is writing his third book, a collection of short stories, and is preparing his next national standup comedy tour.

Ariana Savalas

Jazz vocalist, songwriter and actress has captivated sold out audiences across the country headlining in some of the nation's poshest clubs including San Francisco's Feinstein's at the Nikko. Online audiences have enjoyed watching the saucy debut music video for her original song "One Man Show" as well as her collaborations with the Postmodern Jukebox which have garnered millions of views and reached #1 on the iTunes Jazz Charts. She can be seen on tour with them in the US and Europe.

2009 Honoree and 2015 Emcee - Marilu Henner

Best known for her acting career in film and television, Marilu Henner's work includes her break-through role as receptionist-turned-cabbie Elaine Nardo on Taxi, films such as The Man Who Loved Woman, L.A. Story, and Perfect, and the hit TV sitcom, Evening Shade. She recently served as host of the PBS series America's Ballroom Challenge and she competed in the first Celebrity Apprentice. Marilu is also considered a health and wellness expert, publishing books on the subject and offering online classes.

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