11th Annual Pageant of the Masters Gala Benefit on August 29, 2009 Hosted by Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett will host the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters eleventh annual gala benefit on August 29th. Bassett generously stepped in to host the event, replacing Cloris Leachman who offered her regrets that she would not be able to attend due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict.

Alluring audiences with emotionally tinged performances has been the signature of Angela Bassett who personifies a sense of dignity and pride whenever she appears on screen. Her talent and abilities as an actress and executive producer in both television and film have time and again earned the respect and acclaim from her peers and her fans to prove herself to be one of the industry’s premier leading ladies. She received an Oscar nomination and won a Golden Globe Award for her role as singer "Tina Turner" in Touchstone Picture's WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT. Some of her most popular roles have been in feature films such as NOTORIOUS, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, MEET THE BROWNS, WAITING TO EXHALE, MEET THE ROBINSONS, AKEELAH AND THE BEE, MR 3000, HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK, and MALCOLM X. In television she is also well known for her role of "Dr. Cate Banfield" in the hit medical drama ER.

This exclusive, highly anticipated, one-night event, will offer guests an evening of music, dancing and a special performance of this summer's extremely popular Pageant of the Masters, entitled "The Muse.” Other guest celebrities expected to turn up to this red carpet event are Valerie Bertinelli, Creed Bratton, LeVar Burton, Paget Brewster, A.J. Cook, Adrienne Curry, Elisa Donovan, Tony Dow, Matthew Gray Gubler, Kate Flannery, Melora Hardin, Florence Henderson, Gregory Itzin, Christopher Knight, Joshua Malina, Joe Mantegna, Joseph Mascolo, Jerry Mathers, Donna Mills, Eve Plumb, Charles Shaughnessy, Ethan Suplee, Courtney Vance, Kirsten Vangsness and others.

This is also an opportunity to purchase a raffle ticket for the chance to win an amazing trip to Fiji donated by VITI Artesian Water. Package includes a 5-night stay at the Westin Denarau Resort & Spa (Ocean View Room) and round-trip airfare for two on Air Pacific. The winner will be announced during the gala event.

Ticket prices to the Gala Benefit are $50-$350. Cocktail attire. The $350 seats include a gourmet dinner at Tivoli Terrace. The evening's proceeds will benefit the Festival of Arts Building Fund. For general information, call 1-800-487-3378 or visit the website at www.PageantTickets.com. The event is located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California. Proceeds support the arts and art education in and about Laguna Beach.

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