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Grand-Parents Salute Foundation Gala
A benefit event for a new charity
“Grand-Parents Salute Foundation” that is setting up its headquarters in Las Vegas was recently
held at the Plaza Hotel Ballroom. Many grandparents who are
raising their grandchildren have financial difficulty and need
assistance. The Grand-Parents Salute Foundation (GPSF), an
international 501 © (3) not-for-profit organization is dedicated
to assisting Grandparents who are raising their Grandchildren.
The organization is affiliated with the United Nations and
Orphans International Worldwide and is also associated with the
Department of Public Information of the United Nations and
Orphans International Worldwide. GPSF conducts information and
educational seminars and conferences. Funding is generated
through sponsorships, donations, manufacturing, merchandising
and special events. All proceeds from the event funded the
programs and services of the Grand-Parents Salute Foundation to
assure that Grandparents have the resources they need to raise
their Grandchildren.
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The kick off for this charity was in
high style with a Red Carpet event, a silent auction and a
Champagne Dinner. The star-studded gala event was hosted by
celebrated comedian and radio personality J. Anthony Brown and
the gala event honorees were Cicely Tyson and Richard Roundtree
as well as honoring Grandparents.
 A VIP cocktail hour featured singing
harpist, Kathy Kavanaugh along with lovely Showgirls. During
dinner and afterwards, entertainment from several musical groups
went on until 1 a.m. and featured several musical greats in
concert, including local Gospel recording artist Robert Owens,
Deniece Williams (known for ‘Let’s Hear It For The Boys’),
Howard Hewett who sang accapello, Taste of Honey, GQ and Friends
of Distinction. Comedienne Side by Side m.c.'d. A grandmother
Joanne Davis and Quosee, her 10 year old grandson wowed the
audience with their duet.
Attending the Gala were many dignitaries
and celebrities. Seen enjoying the evening were original Moulin
Rouge Casino owner, Sarann Knight Preddy, and Miss D. original
Moulin Rouge beauty salon owner, Walter Mason, who was Sammy
Davis Jr.’s manager and his lovely wife, Thom Pruitt and Phree
Barkley, Trish Williamson and Jon Bastion, Sherial Bratcher
(Diamond Star Events) Kathy Bax, Monti Rock III and Lishey
Johnson among other well-known Las Vegans.
Hands
Across The Arts Gala
HANDS ACROSS THE ARTS, a Black Tie
benefit event was held at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN)
to develop a Star-Studded documentary on the history and
evolution of Black entertainment in Las Vegas and to benefit the
College of Southern Nevada’s Performing Arts Center and The Ira
Aldridge Theatre Company. Distinguished Honorary Co-Chairs
were Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, North Las Vegas
Mayor Michael Montandon and State Senator Barbara K Cegavske.
 The gala started with a VIP reception
sponsored by Moulin Rouge Development Corporation, Culinary
Training Academy and DeLuca Liquor & Wine LTD. Afterwards
guests ventured into the Nicholas Horn theatre where Steve
Schorr, vice president of Public and Government Affair at Cox
Communication was Emcee for an Awards Presentation. The Honorees
received the following awards: Visionary Award, World Market
Center owners Jack Kashani and Shawn Samson, Lifetime Community
Service Award, University Regent Thalia M. Dondero, and Lifetime
Performing Arts Award went to accomplished director, writer and
actor Walter Mason.
Then came the piece d’ resistance of the
evening with the acclaimed Pulitzer-Prize winning play “Fences”
by August Wilson, directed by producer, actor Walter Mason and
presented by the Ira
 Aldridge Theatre Company. “Fences”
encompasses the 1950’s about a Black family trying to put down
roots in the slag slippery hills of the Middle-American urban
industrial city of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. What a
performance!
Credit for the great production goes to Walter Mason, who was
Sammy Davis Jr’s production manager and drama coach. The Ira
Aldridge Theater Company of Nevada was founded by Walter Mason
and the company’s name commemorates the American stage actor who
made his career largely on the London Stage. Ira Aldridge is
the only actor of African-American descent among the 33 actors
of the English Stage with bronze plaques at the Shakespeare
Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon.
Hands
Across The Arts Campaign
Celebration
VIP Cocktail Reception
A VIP celebration reception for the success of the HANDS ACROSS
THE ARTS Capital Campaign that raised much needed funding for
the College of Southern Nevada’s Performing Arts Center was held
at the beautiful view ballroom on the 16th floor of
the World Market Center. This event was also a meet and greet
with Clint Holmes, who is the Nevada Arts Advocates Ambassador
for the Performing Arts and has been honored and recognized as
“Best Singer” in Nevada. Clint sang a special song as a salute
to the Performing Arts and served as Master of Ceremonies for
this, the “Thank You” reception. He spoke about “Hands Across
the Arts as a unique, strategic alliance established by the
College of Southern Nevada Performing Arts Center and the Ira
Aldridge Theatre Company of Nevada, a non-profit organization to
help fund the development of, and access to the arts for
underserved populations in our community.
There was live entertainment, food,
celebrities, sponsors and fun for the invited VIP guests who had
supported the Performing Arts.
 Clint thanked the many corporate
sponsors in attendance. He then introduced the honorees for the
evening, all strong advocates for the arts who share a
commitment to the advancement of the arts in Southern Nevada,
The honorees were: Dina Titus, U.S. Congressional candidate and
Nevada State Senator whose leadership established the Arts
Caucus; Angie Wallin who helped promote and increase the caucus
to include all 63 members of the Legislature. Angie initiated
the Nevada Ambassador for the Arts program and spearheaded a
scholarship program for seniors in Nevada who wish to further
their studies in the arts: and Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., founder
and President Emeritus of 100 Black Men of America, an acclaimed
mentoring group with chapters across the United States.
Then on with the show! Clint introduced
Walter Mason, the celebrated actor, producer and director for
the past 50 years who has worked with the Who’s Who in show
business. Mason founded the Ira Aldridge Theatre Company, the
professional theatre program that provides training for people
of all ages. Walter welcomed the Muhhamed Shakir Sextet who
performed Caravan by Duke Ellington. Next came a very young
lady, Malikah Landers who performed a narration of “The Negro
Mother.” Primrose Martin then sang “Come Sunday” and a two very
young students performed “High on the Hog.” Afterwards other
performers entertained and the Muhhamed Sextet played for
dancing, that went on and on.
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Clint closed the evening with an
exciting announcement. Clint is Co-Chair of the Las Vegas Black
Film Documentary Steering Committee, along with Steve Schoor.
He told of the filming of an historical, first-of-its-kind film
documentary chronicling the History of Black Entertainment in
Las Vegas from the 1950’s through the present day. With an
award-winning Hollywood producer directing, the World Premiere
screening is planned for early 2009 with a percentage of the net
proceeds from the Film Premiere and Gala to be awarded to the
College of Southern Nevada Performing Arts Center, Nevada Arts
Advocates and local and national Black organizations.
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