Broadway Star Andrea McArdle is set to headline the Saturday, Nov. 7 Aston-Brooks Gala, benefitting the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation. McArdle rocketed to stardom as Broadway’s original “Annie,” for which she was the youngest performer ever nominated for the Tony® Award for Best Actress in a Musical, winning both the Theatre World and Outer Critics’ Circle Awards for her performance. The second annual fundraiser is a black-tie event where guests will enjoy a hosted cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, cabaret show, live VIP entertainment and an awards ceremony. Tickets are now available on the SDHDF Web site at www.sdhdf.org
On Broadway, McArdle originated the roles of “Ashley” in “Starlight Express” and “Margy” in “State Fair” and was seen as “Belle” in “Beauty and the Beast” and as “Fantine” in “Les Miserables.” On tour she starred in “Jerry’s Girls,” “Les Miserables” as “Eponine,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Cabaret” and “Peter Pan.” Andrea has performed in concert halls from Carnegie Hall to the best showrooms in Las Vegas to the MET Opera House as well as The White House.
The Aston-Brooks Gala features an awards ceremony will honor three individuals making a difference here in San Diego and across the globe. Honorees for 2015 will be announced soon. The awards are named to carry on the legacy of the following:
- Lincoln Aston Public Service Award: Named for the San Diego developer and philanthropist whose murder led to the establishment of The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, the award honors a public figure who uses their celebrity to increase awareness of LGBT issues and encourage equality. In 2014 George Takei, actor and activist, received this award in recognition of the use of his humor and talent to advocate LGBT and human rights.
- Sunshine Brooks HIV/AIDS Advocacy Award: Honored for the memory and life of this generous philanthropist whose multimillion dollar legacy gift has benefitted HIV/AIDS charities in San Diego County for the last decade, the award recognizes an individual whose efforts have improved the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS. In 2014 Cleve Jones, founder of the NAMES Project and the AIDS Quilt, whose passionate messages have moved millions to action, received this award.
- The Richard Geyser Community Leadership Award: This award bears the name of the Founding President of the Board for San Diego Human Dignity Foundation who was also a champion for ethics in community service. In 2014 Maureen Steiner, board president of San Diego Lambda Archives, received this award in honor of her tireless efforts to document and store the history of the LGBT Community in San Diego, which has garnered national and international praise.
Each of the awards carry a $5,000 grant from The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation to the LGBT/HIV charity chosen by the award recipient. The charities selected will be announced at the Aston-Brooks Awards Gala on Nov. 7.
Proceeds benefit the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, one of the nation’s largest LGBT Community Foundations benefiting San Diego’s LGBT community for nearly 20 years. In 2015, the foundation has given more than $750,000 to 50 organizations, and is embarking on an ambitious fundraising initiative to transforming their newly acquired property at 4545 Park Blvd. into the San Diego LGBT Cultural and Performing Arts Center. The venue, which is home to Diversionary Theatre and San Diego Lambda Archives, will build community by offering a variety of programs delivering quality entertainment, educational opportunities and memorable moments that engage and inspire audiences, honor LGBT culture and history, respect diversity, nurture collaboration and drive economic vitality.
