"Experience the Avenue 2003" Event To Benefit Avenue of the Arts, Inc. 10 Years of the Arts on the Avenue of the Arts

PHILADELPHIA, PA - October 10, 2003 - All along the Avenue of the Arts this evening, Philadelphia's hottest restaurants and galleries will fling open their doors for the first-ever Avenue fundraising event, "Experience the Avenue 2003." The fundraiser benefits Avenue of the Arts, Inc., celebrating its 10`h year promoting the Avenue of the Arts as Philadelphia's most vibrant venue for cuisine, art, culture, entertainment, galleries and retailers.

Guests will begin their evening at the Ritz Canton at 5:30 p.m., with gourmet fare and raffle prizes. From there, guests will stroll along the Avenue, enjoying fine art at Avenue galleries and spectacular hors d'oeuvres, specialty cocktails, and live entertainment at Avenue restaurants, including Capital Grille, Striped Bass, McCormick and Schmick's, Zanzibar Blue, among others.

Governor Edward G. Rendell is scheduled to appear at the event, as well as Kia Steave¬Dickerson, designer on TLC's Trading Spaces and Philadelphia native.

The evening concludes back at the Ritz Canton, with the Signature Avenue Cocktail announcement. Celebrities will judge entries from participating restaurants to crown the newest drink, the Signature Avenue Cocktail. Judges include Sharon Pinkenson, executive director, Greater Philadelphia Film Office; Rob Armstrong, nationally¬syndicated cartoonist; Gerald Veaseley, jazz musician; Cathy Caldwell, radio personality, WJJZ Radio; and Mariska Bogle, Director of Planning and Development, Philadelphia Tribune.

Experience the Avenue, Page 2
"If you think about what the Avenue of the Arts looked like ten years ago, it's easy to see that the Avenue of the Arts has undergone a startling transformation. At the Avenue of the Arts, Inc., our mission is to continue the incredible growth we've experienced on the Avenue over the past ten years," said Karen Lewis, executive director, AAI. "Experience the Avenue 2003 is a fun way to mark the milestone and raise money for the advancement of one of Philadelphia's most vibrant communities."

As part of the evening's activities, AAI will hold a drawing at the Ritz Carlton with prizes including a silver mesh necklace donated by Tiffany & Company and vintage photographs of celebrities including Grace Kelly in Philadelphia donated by Patrick Simione, a local fine arts photographer.

The ticket price for the "Experience the Avenue 2003" event is $50 per person; all guests must be 21 and over to attend. For more information on the event, contact AAI at (215) 731-9668 or visit wwxv.avcnucutthearts.org

Sponsors of the Experience the Avenue 2003 event include: NBC 10, Fleet Bank, Capital Grille, The Ritz Carlton Hotel, McCormick and Schmick's, Zanzibar Blue, Chris Jazz Cafe, Toto, Doubletree Hotel Restaurant, Italian Bistro, Striped Bass, Sotto Varalli, Cadence/Kimmel, Tiffany & Company, Polo-Ralph Lauren, Robinson Luggage, Seagrams Vodka, Tower Records, Nicole Miller, Wilma Theater, Jeanne Ruddy Dance, A Green Thing, Pierre & Carlo, Banana Republic, Philadelphia Weekly, Smooth Jazz WJJZ Radio, PAFA, Gershman Y, Philadelphia Tribune, Philadelphia Orchestra, The Art Institute, The Restaurant School, the Chamber Music Society, the Brandywine Workshop and The University of the Arts.

About the Avenue of the Arts, Inc.
Formed in 1993, Avenue of the Arts, Inc. is the catalyst for cultural and economic growth of the Avenue of the Arts. Led by a committed volunteer board of business, cultural and community leaders, AAI works closely with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the City of Philadelphia, the corporate community and every constituent cultural organization to develop its 3.5-mile segment of Broad Street into a world-class cultural and entertainment destination.

AVENUE OF THE ARTS, INC.
TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FACT SHEET

Who: The Avenue of the Arts, Inc. (AAI) will celebrate its ten-year anniversary with a special event: Experience the Avenue; Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Avenue of the Arts

What: Experience the Avenue is an event designed to showcase the attributes of the Avenue of the Arts and commemorate the ten-year anniversary of AAI. The event will encourage patrons to stroll along the Avenue to experience:
• Fabulous buffet from participating Avenue restaurants
• Wonderful exhibits at Avenue galleries
• Entertainment from local musicians
• Special cocktail offers from participating Avenue restaurants
• Announcement of the Signature Avenue Cocktail
• Celebrity Judges – Cocktail Tasting

When: Friday, October 10, 2003 from 5:30 – 8:30pm

Where: The Avenue of the Arts (specific locations) Kick-off at The Ritz Carlton

Why: To promote the Avenue of the Arts as a wonderful arts and entertainment district that features shopping, dining, entertainment, art, culture and commerce. This event will also serve as an annual fundraiser for AAI.

Cost: Admission is $50.00pp A special 10% discount for purchases of ten A special 10% discount for AAI members

Producers: AAI in conjunction with a volunteer committee: David Brown, Gabe Canuso, Helen Chung, Gene Castellano, Graziella D’Amelio, Melanie Johnson, Toni Crawford Major, Joanne Michael, Susan Norcross, Warren Oree, Karen Spiro

Contact: For more information, please contact AAI at (215) 731-9668 or visit www.avenueofthearts.org

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