Posts Tagged ‘Charity’

Mystery Texas Collector to Give Beatle George Harrison’s Aston Martin DB5 its U.S. Debut at The Concours d’Elegance of Texas

If you have ever wanted to have your photograph taken in a sports car that once belonged to a member of the world's most famous rock band, this is your chance.

Houston stand by! Beatle George Harrison’s Aston Martin DB5 will make its US. debut in the Lone Star state this May

Houston, TX (PRWEB) February 25, 2012

Houston stand by. George Harrison’s celebrated 1965 Aston Martin DB5 will make its U.S. debut in the Lone Star State in May. The anonymous Texas collector, who made global news in December when he won the international bidding war for the legendary Beatle’s sports car at a London auction, has confirmed that it will be on display at the inaugural Concours d’Elegance of Texas, helping to raise some serious money for charity. “If you have ever wanted to have your photograph taken in a sports car that once belonged to a member of the world’s most famous rock band, this is your chance,” said Lolly Bezy, Executive Director. “We are delighted to be in a position to offer spectators such a great opportunity and look forward to a sensational event this spring.”

The iconic Aston Martin DB5 was best known for its role in James Bond movies like Goldfinger and Thunderball, and the DB5 may be about to make a comeback in the latest 007 blockbuster with Daniel Craig. Manufactured in 1964, this Aston Martin DB5 was delivered new to George Harrison at his Surrey estate in England on January 1, 1965. Supplied in platinum silver with black Connolly leather, it was packed with all conceivable top of the range options and it remains in largely original condition today. The car later spent a decade in a Japanese museum and another twelve years in Germany, until it was purchased in 2007 by James William “Jimi” Heselden, the late owner of Segway Inc. and a British inventor and defense contractor, credited for saving countless lives in Iraq and Afghanistan with his invention of the Hesco Bastion wire framed container.

Back in December 2011, the buyer caused a media uproar when he “caught some people napping,” and made off with this “British National Treasure.” Characterized by the press as everything from a crazed Beatles fan to an opportunistic preacher who stole money from his congregation to buy an old car, he is in fact a lifelong car guy and philanthropist who is quietly building a small collection of some of the finest sports cars in the world, and using those cars to raise money for non-profit organizations and Christian causes. Spectators at the Concours d’Elegance of Texas will get the opportunity to enjoy the car and also to sit and be photographed in George Harrison’s famous Aston Martin in return for donations to his chosen charity, Faith Comes By Hearing. The organization produces the Military BibleStick, a miniature device that allows soldiers to listen to the Bible in the battlefield without compromising their position. Requests for these devices from every branch of the military are inundating the charity and there are still many thousands of U.S. troops in the field who are yet to be supplied.

The Concours d’Elegance of Texas is set to be one of the biggest vintage motoring and luxury lifestyle events in the state, a world-class gathering of collector cars and vintage motorcycles in a world-class setting. Scheduled to run from May 4th-6th, 2012, the event takes place just north of downtown Houston at the award winning La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa in Montgomery, Texas. Concours proceeds will benefit local and national charities, including the Texas Children’s Hospital and the Collector’s Foundation, an organization that supports young people and invests in the future of the collector car hobby. Admission to the Concours is $25 on Sunday 6th, discounted to $20 if purchased in advance, with children under 12 admitted free of charge. The Concours d’Elegance of Texas will be presented alongside Worldwide Auctioneers’ long standing catalogue event, The Houston Classic Auction, scheduled for Saturday, May 5th at 11am. Full details on the weekend’s events are available online at http://www.concoursoftexas.org. Executive Director Lolly Bezy can be contacted at 1.855.262.9900, or by email at lolly(at)concoursoftexas(dot)org. La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa is a four-star, all-suite facility situated just 50 miles north of downtown Houston. Visit http://www.latorrettalakeresort.com for information on accommodation and resort amenities. Visitors are urged to book their rooms early for the weekend, as the resort is expected to sell out. Contact La Torretta at 1.936.448.4400 and use special rate booking code WORLDAUC2012. Sponsorship opportunities and program advertising can be discussed with Lolly Bezy at 1.855.262.9900. Media inquiries should be directed to Jo Snyder at 1. 512.507.7867.

Train Announces The San Francisco 2012 Tour

Train Announces San Francisco 2012 Tour - New Album, CALIFORNIA 37, Out April 17. (PRNewsFoto/Columbia Records)

Intimate Shows in Band’s Hometown

New Release CALIFORNIA 37 Coming April 17

“Drive By” Video Premieres on VH1; Top 10 At Radio

Lead Singer Pat Monahan Sings National Anthem for 54th Annual Daytona 500 on February 26

NEW YORK, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Grammy Award-winning band Train is gearing up for the group’s San Francisco 2012 Tour, a special hometown run of club shows, in expectation of the upcoming album CALIFORNIA 37, out April 17 on Columbia Records. The band kicks off six intimate performances in San Francisco starting April 10 at Cafe Du Nord and finishing up April 15 at the Fillmore.  A portion of the ticket sales proceeds will go to the San Francisco charity Family House, which provides temporary housing to families of seriously ill children. Train referenced their commitment to the Bay area and their fans where they began their illustrious career in 2009′s multiplatinum album, SAVE ME, SAN FRANCISCO.  Full list of dates below. The band is also revealing the CALIFORNIA 37 cover art on trainline.com today (and attached here).

The first single from CALIFORNIA 37, “Drive By,” continues to climb the radio charts and has already entered the Top 10 at both the AAA and HOT AC formats. It is also charting at Top 40 and moving up quickly.  “Drive By” has sold over 200,000 singles since its release in January. The “Drive By” video premiered on VH1 on February 18 and has gone into rotation there and with support from VEVO. Internationally “Drive By” has been embraced in the UK, Canada, Japan, France, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Switzerland and other countries.

Train is heading to the premiere NASCAR event, the Daytona 500, on February 26 when lead singer Pat Monahan will perform the national anthem before thousands of fans live and millions watching on television. The Daytona 500 will air at 1:00pm EST on Fox.

The multiplatinum band TRAIN made its mark on music history with their GRAMMY-Award-winning song “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” and chart-topping singles “Meet Virginia” and “Calling All Angels.” Train earned their third GRAMMY in 2011 for the worldwide smash “Hey Soul Sister” from SAVE ME, SAN FRANCISCO. “Hey Soul Sister” was the biggest selling single of 2010 and hit #1 at radio in the US and in 15 countries abroad. SAVE ME, SAN FRANCISCO has sold over one million albums worldwide and over ten million tracks.  In addition to taking the sales and radio worlds by storm, Train has been all over television. They have performed on the NFC Championship Game, American Music Awards, the Grammy Nomination Concert, Crossroads, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno , Monday Night Football, A&E Private Sessions, America’s Got Talent, The View, Dancing With The Stars, and Live With Regis and Kelly, Ellen DeGeneres Show , The Bachelor, Rachael Ray and more.

TRAIN PRESENTS THE SAN FRANCISCO TOUR

APR 10 – Cafe Du Nord
APR 11 – Great American Music Hall
APR 12 – Bimbo’s
APR 13-  Slim’s
APR 14 – Independent
APR 15 – Fillmore

www.trainline.com

SOURCE Columbia Records

Web Site: http://trainline.com

TripAdvisor Counts Down 10 of the Top Quirkiest New Year’s Eve Celebrations in America

From Celebratory Sardines to Festive Fleas, Unusual First Night Festivities Offer Free Family Fun

NEWTON, Mass., Dec. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP), the world’s largest travel site*, today announced 10 of the top quirkiest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the United States, according to TripAdvisor editors. From the windswept Eastern seaboard to the balmy shores of Key West, these free events provide extraordinary entertainment to ring in 2012.

TripAdvisor's countdown of the quirkiest New Year's Eve celebrations includes Eastport's sardine drop. Photo credit: Tides Institute & Museum of Art, Eastport, ME

TripAdvisor Logo. (PRNewsFoto/TripAdvisor)

1. The Maine Event – Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop, Eastport , Maine
Home to the first sardine cannery in the U.S., Eastport has celebrated the industry since 2005 by dropping an eight-foot long, 30-pound sardine made from wood and acrylic at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. After the sardine plunges from the third-story window of The Tides Institute, revelers rush to give the fish a salty smooch in the belief this will bring good luck in the coming year. The festivities don’t end there; at midnight, a four-foot wide Maple Leaf is dropped, to honor Maine’s northern Canadian neighbors.

2. Mammal Madness – Possum Drop, Brasstown , North Carolina
Brasstown will celebrate its title of “Possum Capital of the World” for the 18^th year, with two fun-filled hours of activities. Local men resplendent in feminine attire will compete for the coveted title of “Miss Possum Queen”, while revelers can soak up live music and tasty treats in anticipation of the lowering of a triangular, plexiglass box containing a prized possum. Once the crowd clears, the nocturnal mammal – unscathed from its public appearance – is given a midnight snack and released in to the night.

3. Savory Soiree – Bologna Drop, Lebanon , Pennsylvania
As the clock strikes midnight, a 12-foot long loaf of bologna, weighing 200 pounds, swallows the attention of New Year’s revelers as it is lowered to the ground from a crane service. Following its descent to Earth, the salty sandwich staple will be donated and devoured by a local charity. This annual fête is held at the corner of Ninth and Cumberland Streets and includes toe-tapping tunes, complimentary hot beverages, and festive First Night fun.

4. Pest-acular Party – Wooden Flea Drop, Eastover, North Carolina
Until the 1920s, Eastover was known as Flea Hill, due to a pandemic of the pesky insects throughout town. In honor of its former wretched “residents,” the town will ring in 2012 by dropping a 30-pound flea for the second consecutive year. Constructed from fabric, foam, wire and wood, revelers are in no danger of being bitten by the oversize bug as they partake in the family-friendly celebrations, which include a bonfire, refreshments, and old-fashioned fun.

5. Trifecta of Fun – “Sushi” Drag Queen Drop, Key West , Florida
The isle of Key West will be brimming with holiday cheer as it hosts three fun-filled festivities. Travelers can ring in 2012 at The Bourbon Street Pub, where legendary drag queen “Sushi” is lowered to the ground, while seated in a giant, glossy red shoe. Celebrations will also be held at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, where a six-foot tall Styrofoam conch shell is lowered into a sea of revelers – while a “pirate wench” will be dropped from the mast of an old wooden ship at Schooner Wharf Bar, on nearby Williams Street.

6. Marshmallow Madness – MoonPie Drop, Mobile , Alabama
Home of America’s first Mardi Gras celebration, Mobile celebrates the famous “throw” of MoonPies to masked Mardi Gras revelers by dropping a 12-foot electronic MoonPie from a height of 34 stories. Residents consume more than four million MoonPies annually, hence adopting the mouthwatering marshmallow treat as the town’s informal emblem and even paying homage to it as the clock strikes midnight. Events begin at 7:30 p.m. with a Mardi-Gras style parade, featuring floats, live music and more.

7. Festive Fromage – Cheese Drop, Plymouth , Wisconsin
Cheese lovers can satisfy their cravings at Plymouth, Wisconsin’s annual “New Year’s Cheese” drop, which pays homage to the local dairy industry. This year will mark the fifth annual dropping of the 80-pound Styrofoam chunk of cheese from a 100-foot ladder truck. Painted and decorated by a local artist, the star of the show is guaranteed to offer flavorsome fun, rounded off with art, games, and complimentary refreshments as hundreds gather to welcome the New Year.

8. Groovin’ in the Gulf – Pelican Drop, Pensacola , Florida
The streets of Pensacola will be flocking with fun and games in honor of the New Year with three stages of live entertainment. At 8 p.m., a “Bubble Stomp” will invite children to jump and jive across a vast expanse of bubbly mailing wrap, to mimic the clamor of fireworks – before the real star of the show, a giant, 14-foot pelican, makes its 100-foot descent at midnight. Celebrations will conclude with a dazzling display of fireworks and colorful confetti.

9. Fruity Fun – Watermelon Drop, Vincennes , Indiana
For the fourth year, Vincennes’ Watermelon Drop will celebrate the local melon-growing industry along with the start of the New Year. Thousands of spectators – many of whom are dressed as the waterlogged fruit – gather to watch the 18-foot, 500-pound watermelon drop 100-feet onto a “splatform.” The man-made melon, crafted from steel and foam, also releases a dozen locally grown watermelons to signal the beginning of a tasty New Year.

10. Midwest Mayhem – Little Apple Drop, Manhattan , Kansas
For folks who are not able to make it to New York City, Manhattan, Kansas brings the spirit of Times Square to the Midwest. Thousands of revelers gather to join the festivities, which begin at 10 p.m. with a laser light show, accompanied by live music from local artists and a deejay. At the stroke of midnight, a rotund ruby apple, made from aluminum and glass, will shimmy its way to the ground for the ninth consecutive year, as fireworks illuminate the sky.

“These ten quirky drops offer an array of unusual ways to ring in the New Year, and will ensure that 2012 gets off with a bang for those who gather to enjoy the unconventional celebrations,” said Karen Drake, senior director of communications for TripAdvisor.

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) is the world’s largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor® offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 50 million unique monthly visitors*, and over 50 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also operates TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to TripAdvisor’s millions of monthly visitors.

TripAdvisor and its 18 subsidiary travel sites, operated by TripAdvisor Inc., attract more than 65 million unique monthly visitors**.  TripAdvisor’s subsidiaries include: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.sniqueaway.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com, www.virtualtourist.com, www.whereivebeen.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

TripAdvisor and the TripAdvisor logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TripAdvisor Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, Worldwide, August 2011

**Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Inc. and its subsidiaries, Worldwide, August 2011

©2011 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE TripAdvisor

Web Site: http://www.tripadvisor.com

BillingTree RockBlock Returns to Phoenix Nov. 5th; Multi-Platinum Classic Rock Headliner REO Speedwagon, Plus Fran Cosmo-Former Lead Singer of BOSTON-and Hollywood Band “Rossmore”

Downtown Phoenix CityScape Venue Expands Event’s Capacity in 3rd Year

A Community-Giving Event Presented by BillingTree, The Arizona Republic, 12 News & azcentral.com

BIG Ticket Values: $20 GA includes all 3 bands!…$100 VIP includes Dinner, Drinks & More

100% of Ticket Funds goes to Season For Sharing

Tickets on Sale Sept. 19 at MyBillingTree.com/RockBlock

PHOENIX, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — BillingTree® RockBlock™ returns to Phoenix Sat., Nov. 5, 5:30 pm, bringing a high energy lineup of classic rock favorites REO Speedwagon, the voice of BOSTON Fran Cosmo and Rossmore, who are led by a powerhouse of movie moguls including Bill Fay whose credits range from Independence Day to the Hangover movies. ( www.MyBillingTree.com/RockBlock ).

www.mybillingtree.com. (PRNewsFoto/BillingTree, Inc)

CityScape, downtown Phoenix, Central Avenue from Washington to Jefferson takes over as the new venue for this annual charity rock festival, presented by Phoenix-based BillingTree, The Arizona Republic, 12 News and azcentral.com to kick-off the “Season For Sharing” campaign.  R Entertainment is again producing this high profile community event. Plus, fans will get satisfaction knowing 100% of ALL ticket monies (the entire $20 or $100 ticket amount) goes to local Valley charities through the “Season For Sharing” annual fund raising drive.

“This is the third BillingTree RockBlock and our first time as the kick-off event for Arizona Republic and 12 News annual holiday fundraising drive – Season For Sharing, and at the fantastic new CityScape venue,” said Dan Willis of Phoenix-based BillingTree’s Board of Directors. “The concert and festival atmosphere has grown every year and we couldn’t be happier to have legendary acts whose music resonates across generations.  At BillingTree, we love music, we love to give, and we love to have a good time – we will continue to host and grow BillingTree RockBlock because as our slogan says We Give A Jam.“

BIG TICKET VALUES.  BillingTree RockBlock tickets go on sale Monday, Sept. 19 at http://www.MyBillingTree.com/RockBlock or call 1.866.977.6849.  General admission is $20 or $25 the day of at the gate.  The $100 VIP ticket is a complete package that includes admission in the skyboxes above Central Avenue, dinner and drinks. Doors open at 5:30pm.

PARKING.  CityScape has plenty of underground parking available to the public. Parking can be accessed on Washington, Jefferson or First Avenue and in addition has Light Rail stops nearby.

About BillingTree – The proven leader in on-demand payment processing, BillingTree empowers customers with competitive advantage through a simplification of the billing and receivables process. By delivering the most innovative technology while making it as easy and inexpensive as possible to accept payments, BillingTree has revolutionized the payments landscape. Our software-as-a-service (SaaS) model delivers industry-leading payment solutions, proven integration, and point-and-click simplicity. BillingTree’s focus on innovation has allowed us to help more than 1,800 customers eliminate manual processes and automate their payment cycles. BillingTree – Growth is our Business. For more information, visit www.mybillingtree.com or call 877.4.BILLTREE.

About R Entertainment Company – R Entertainment Company is a national concert and events booking, marketing and production company based in Scottsdale, Arizona that manages 200 dates a year, including Award Winning Devoured Culinary Classic; AZ Centennial Copper Chopper,  Wildhorse Pass Ovations Showroom, Pepsi Amphitheater in Flagstaff, Talking stick Stadium special events,  private corporate events such as the American Express Chairman’s event, as well as major touring acts such Sheryl Crow, Steve Martin, Jose Carreras, Kathy Griffin  Sinbad, Joe Walsh, BB King, and many, many others.  www.R-Entertainment.com

About Season For Sharing - Season for Sharing is The Arizona Republic and 12 News annual holiday fundraising drive. Through an eight-week news, editorial, direct mail and ad campaign, readers and viewers are encouraged to donate to Season for Sharing to help health and human service agencies in Arizona. Donations are matched through the Gannett Foundation and 100% of donations, plus the match, are distributed to local agencies that help at-risk children and families, improve educational skills, help domestic-violence victims and serve the elderly.

Last year, 137 agencies received $2.66 million, more than $46 million since the program began in 1993. In addition to creating community resources, the program increases awareness about social issues. Many of the agencies experience an influx of volunteers and donated goods during the campaign. Visit http://www.azcentral.com/season/index.html

BillingTree RockBlock Musical Lineup: REO Speedwagon, Fran Cosmo & Rossmore

About REO Speedwagon: REO Speedwagon Formed in 1967, signed in 1971 and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon has – for decades – been a confounding blend of consistency and change.

They rode in station wagons, going from tiny gigs to even tinier gigs, just to get the REO name out in the early days. Later they rode the top of the charts with a RIAA certified 22 million albums sold in the U.S. and 40 million around the globe, with a string of gold and platinum records and international hit singles. The 9-times certified Hi Infidelity remains a high-water mark for rock bands.

Make all the “Ridin’ The Storm Out” or “Roll With The Changes” cracks you want, but that’s exactly what the band has done. REO Speedwagon has that Midwest work ethic.

The band has gone onstage and in the studio and done the work, year after year – dozens of albums, hundreds (or thousands?) of concerts, infinite radio spins. The eyes have always been on the future and on the road – not a year has gone by where REO Speedwagon didn’t perform live, thrilling fans with hits like “Keep On Loving You” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling.”

By the early ’70s the band’s unrelenting drive, non-stop touring and recording jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. It carved a path eventually followed by STYX, Kansas, Cheap Trick and more. Platinum albums and freeform FM radio staples such as “Ridin’ The Storm Out” followed, setting the stage for 1980′s explosive Hi Infidelity.

The band’s younger fans might not realize the sheer impact Hi Infidelity had on music and the culture of rock ‘n’ roll. Its 9 million in sales was fueled by huge hit singles in “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On the Run.” High Infidelity spent months in the #1 slot, a feat simply unattainable in music today. The strong run continued with hits like “Can’t Fight This Feeling” up through the new “Can’t Stop Rockin’.”

When the talk turns to benefit concerts the names that come to mind are George Harrison, U2 and Bob Geldof. REO has quietly done its share, sans self-serving promotional tours, from appearing at the Live Aid concert in 1985, to a benefit for port authority workers after 9/11 and recent MusiCares shows, along with a “Ridin’ The Storm Out” benefit concert that raised more than a half-million dollars for Iowa flood relief in 2008.

Today it’s all about what it has always been – taking good care of the band’s legacy while keeping the focus on the future. That may be even more important these days, Cronin believes.

About Fran Cosmo : Fran Cosmo, the former lead singer of the band BOSTON, is touring and performing with Anthony Cosmo, former guitarist and songwriter of the band BOSTON, performing all the greatest hits as well as new hits.  Night after night show rooms and festivals are packed with standing room only crowds.  With ticket sales in the tens of thousands Fran Cosmo is a MUST see in the world of live Rock and Roll shows.

About Rossmore: What does a producer of hit movies, The Hangover 1 & 2, Independence Day, Patriot, Superman, 300, Clash of the Titans, Dark Knight Returns, Town to name a few who’s also the father of three teenage girls, do to relax and relieve stress?  He gathers fellow dads from his kids’ school; they form a band and take it on the road.

Fay and five other musicians –  Jed Daly, producer and film financier; Bill Birrell, founder, Sony Pictures Imageworks and writer/director; Rick Benoit, musician and visual FX pro; Ernie Scarborough, concert tour veteran musician and now music teacher; Steve Weeks, international mortgage banking — comprise Rossmore, a Classic Rock Band named after the street where his girls go to school.

About CityScape: CityScape is a mixed-use urban project located at the core of Downtown Phoenix and is the focal point for community activity. The downtown Phoenix resurgence includes completion of the 20 mile Light Rail Transit System, expansion of the Phoenix Convention Center, the growth of the Phoenix Biomedical Center, and the opening of the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus and the University of Arizona Medical School.

Visitors to CityScape are welcome at the first ever Gold’s Gym Elite (with it’s one of kind Cardio Cinema), CVS pharmacy, Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge, Designer District, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Urban Outfitters, Oakville Grocery, Stand-Up Live Comedy, Vitamin T, Charming Charlie, and Republic of Couture, Par Exsolance, Jimmy John’s, The arrogant Butcher, Tilted Kilt and Yogurtini open to the public. This broad retail mix and the accompanying day and night list of activities and concerts in the destinations renovated Patriot’s Square, compliment the diverse downtown population which includes event attendees, conventioneers, residents, office workers, and out of town visitors. Everyone at CityScape can experience something uniquely Phoenix and sample the energy and excitement of a destination worthy of the zero zero address for the entire metropolitan valley.

Follow BillingTree RockBlock on:
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/BillingTree
Twitter – @BTRockBlock

Donations Accepted and Corporate Giving Packages Available, learn more at www.MyBillingTree.com/RockBlock

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE BillingTree

Web Site: http://www.mybillingtree.com