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Here is the official press release from the Carpenter Center:Richard Carpenter Headlines
Top of the World
March 1st fund-raising event for the Carpenter Performing Arts Center
Singer/songwriter Richard Carpenter will perform in an intimate, on-stage cabaret setting at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center as the star of the center's first Top of the World fund-raising event on Saturday, March 1, 2003. The evening includes a lavish buffet dinner, both silent and live auctions, an opportunity drawing, a performance by Long Beach-native Lucy Daggett, and the presentation of the first Arts in Education Hero of the Year Award. All proceeds directly support the Carpenter Center's Classroom Connections educational outreach program, bringing arts education to Long Beach classrooms and students to the Carpenter Center. Tickets to Top of the World are $100 each with VIP tables of 10 available for $2,500 and $1,500. VIP tables include priority seating, "15 Seconds of Fame" and other considerations. Seating is limited to 250.
Top of the World is one of the most famous songs from the Carpenter songbook. Mr. Carpenter will perform the song as part of evening's entertainment, and he'll do so seated at the Baldwin 9'foot grand piano upon which he composed it. Mr. Carpenter has generously donated that piano to the Top of the World event, continuing a history of support to the California State University, Long Beach performing arts center.
In the early '90s, the Richard and Mary Carpenter Family Foundation made a major donation to the university toward the creation of its performing arts center, which was subsequently named after Richard and his sister, Karen, both former CSULB students. That support and involvement with the Carpenter Center has grown over the years. The Center is home to a museum-quality exhibit of Carpenters memorabilia, including a collection of gold and platinum records, the Carpenters' Grammy and American Music Awards and an early drum kit and electric keyboard from their touring days. For the Top of the World fundraiser, Mr. Carpenter will act as co-host with Peter Lesnik, the executive director of the Carpenter Center.
Following the evening's entertainment, the satin-finish Baldwin SD-10 piano played and donated by Mr. Carpenter will be the top item in the evening's live auction. To ensure the most lucrative bidding and the widest availability for this treasured bit of musical history, the piano will be listed for pre-bids on eBay beginning in mid-February. The eBay bidder who meets the reserve with the highest confirmed bid will be offered a complimentary trip to Long Beach to participate in the live auction and complete the bidding process on March 1.
Also performing for the Top of the World audience will be singer Lucy Daggett, a mainstay of the Los Angeles musical theatre community and active arts advocate, accompanied by pianist Eddy Clement.
An opportunity drawing will be conducted that evening offering three prizes: a Grand Prize trip for two to New Zealand or Australia courtesy of Air New Zealand; a weekend for two in Napa Valley with airfare, rental car, 3 nights at a bed & breakfast and tickets to the popular Napa Wine Train courtesy of Jones Travel in Upland; and a mystery getaway trip for two. Opportunity drawing tickets are available at all performances at the Carpenter Center until March 1; suggested donation is $5 per ticket or 5 for $20. The winner need not be present at Top of the World.
Top of the World funds directly support Classroom Connections, a vibrant educational outreach program that pairs the professional artists who perform at the Carpenter Center with Long Beach classrooms, to introduce and cultivate a knowledge and appreciation of the performing arts at the elementary, high school and university levels. Over 30,000 students have participated in a Classroom Connections event since the program began five years ago.
Classroom Connections is administered and staffed by the Carpenter Center, but it relies upon the commitment of school administrators, teachers and parents for its success. To recognize that dedication, the Carpenter Center will present the first Arts in Education Hero of the Year Award during the Top of the World festivities, to a teacher, administrator or parent who has demonstrated outstanding support of the arts for young people.
For more information, to receive an invitation, or to purchase opportunity drawing or Top of the World tickets, please call Imogen Sello at (562) 985-2285 or visit www.CarpenterArts.org.
