Media Contact:  Steve Moyer @ 818.784.7027;moyerpr@earthlink.net

                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOLLYWOOD ARTS COUNCIL PRESENTS 24^TH ANNUAL CHARLIE AWARDS LUNCHEON BENEFITING THE COUNCIL’S ARTS PROGRAMS FOR UNDERSERVED CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 AT 11:30 AM

EMCEED BY ABC7’S GEORGE PENNACCHIO

BLOSSOM ROOM IN HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT HOTEL

7000 HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD; HOLLYWOOD, CA  90028

Hollywood, CA – The Hollywood Arts Council will present the 24^th Annual Charlie Awards Luncheon on Friday, March 19, 2010 starting at 11:30 AM in The Blossom Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; 7000 Hollywood Boulevard (at Orange Street); Hollywood, CA  90028. 

Emceed by ABC7’s George Pennacchio, celebrity guests will present awards to individuals and companies for significant contributions to the arts and Hollywood.  This year’s Charlie Awards Honorees include:  Architect Michael Rotundi; Madame Tussauds Hollywood Wax Museum; Thai Community Festival; Artist June Wayne; Hotel Café and Theatre of Note.  The event helps support Project S.O.A.R. (Students Overcoming All Risks), the Council’s After School Art Workshops held in eight Hollywood area elementary schools, and its Annual Children’s Festival of the Arts.

“This is a challenging year economically, but our kids’ art programs must continue; Hollywood’s at-risk children can’t wait for times to get better.  The Charlie Awards provide support for worthy and necessary community efforts,”  said Nyla Arslanian, President of the Hollywood Arts Council.  “We are excited to be presenting the 24^th Annual Charlie Awards in the home of the first Academy Awards”

An Online Auction for one-of-kind celebrity items, shows, arts, etc. is being be held at www.biddingforgood.com/hollywoodartscouncil in advance of the Charlie Awards.   Please visit online for details.      

The Charlie Awards Luncheon is open to the general public.  Tickets are $100 .  For reservations, please call 323-871-ARTS (2787).  For further information, please call 323-462-2355 and visit the website www.hollywoodartscouncil.org.  Valet Parking is available. 

The Hollywood Arts Council, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, is an action-oriented organization that works for the benefit of the Hollywood community through the arts.  Strongly linked to the Council’s purpose to promote, nurture and support the arts is the belief that the arts revitalize people as well as communities. Since 2000, Project S.O.A.R. (Students Overcoming All Risks), its after-school art program has grown significantly serving over 1,500 children annually in eight Hollywood area elementary schools.  The Council also sponsors the annual Children’s Festival of the Arts held the second Sunday of August at Paramount Pictures, and promotes the arts through a daily arts calendar of arts activities published in “Discover Hollywood” magazine and on its website www.hollywoodartscouncil.org.