Actress Laura San Giacomo Chairs Local Fundraising Event "New York In Hollywood”
Show Will Be Highlighted By Outstanding Artists From The Worlds of Jazz, Gospel & R&B!  

Studio City, CA, March 21, 2014 -- CBS Studio Center’s New York Street Back Lot in Studio City will be the setting for the 5th Annual “NEW YORK in HOLLYWOOD” event on Sunday, March 30th, 2014, from 2-5 P.M.
“NEW YORK in HOLLYWOOD” - a fun-filled event for the entire family - directly benefits the Cal State University Northridge’s Music Therapy Wellness Clinic where extraordinary work has been undertaken to make a profound difference in the lives of children with autism, Down syndrome and other diagnoses.

The celebrity host for this year’s event is two-time Golden Globe nominee and Independent Spirit Award winner Laura San Giacomo, star of TV’s “Saving Grace” and “Just Shoot Me,” San Giacomo is also a children’s advocate and one of a group of parents who, along with educators from California State University, Northridge, helped found two charter schools. San Giacomo has been honored by The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, by Shane’s Inspiration with the Humanitarian Award, SERT’s Gilly Award, and Redbook’s Mother and Shaker Award.

Bringing the festivities to life will be outstanding and accomplished music legends from the worlds of Jazz, Rhythm & Blues and Gospel along with surprise guests.

World-renowned Chicago guitarist Phil Upchurch (also an accomplished electric bassist) has recorded 5 decades-worth of genre-defying albums as a leader plus lent his fretboard mastery to artists that include Michael Jackson (on “Working Day and Night” from the Quincy Jones-produced Off The Wall), Curtis Mayfield (on the “Superfly” soundtrack) and George Benson (for whose multi-platinum Breezin’ he composed “Six to Four”).

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Phil is joined by his lovely wife, classically trained singer/actress Sonya Maddox-Upchurch with whom she recorded their jazz CD Truly and forthcoming Christian Music projects under their WONDERVISION Entertainment and Music Management Company (which she runs).

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Powerhouse vocalist Helen Baylor started out as the opening act for Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and B.B. King, then performed in the road band of Rufus & Chaka before devoting her artistry to gospel with the likes of Billy Preston and Donnie McClurkin, netting her four Grammy nominations, four Stellar Awards, two Dove Awards and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award.

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Virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Ellis Hall can call Oprah Winfrey and the iconic Nelson Mandela fans thanks to his magnificently featured work with everyone from the Detroit Symphony, Boston Pops Orchestra, James Taylor and Tower of Power to being the voice on saxophonist Kenny G’s remake of Jr. Walker’s “What Does it Take.”

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These giants will be supported by the amazing band of keyboardist Herman Jackson (Whitney Houston), bassist Del Atkins (James Ingram), drummer Rayford Griffin (Dave Koz), percussionist Leddie R. Garcia (Will I Am) and background singers Stevvi Alexander (“Twenty Feet From Stardom”) and Charlean Carmon (“American Idol”).

Tickets for “NEW YORK in HOLLYWOOD” are on sale now and include a celebrity red carpet, live music, silent auction, raffle, food, and more. VIP tickets include separate area with premium catering and bar. The event is produced by The Environment of the People Foundation. Sponsors include CBS Studio Center, City National Bank, Variety, Music Connection Magazine, Subway and the Geffen Foundation, among others.

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For more information and to purchase tickets, visit WWW.EOPF.ORG.

Contact:
Shari Hoffman
shoffman@eopf.org
818-623-4311