Oscar Party Gene Siskel Center 2003- Chicago

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Residents of Chicago can join in the festivities when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 75th Anniversary Academy Awards® Presentation on Sunday, March 23, 2003, by attending Chicago's only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night® America party. The Chicago party is one of 40 official parties that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.</FONT></div> <div> ment of Oscar Night. Residents of Chicago can join in the festivities when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 75th Anniversary Academy Awards® Presentation on Sunday, March 23, 2003, by attending Chicago's only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night® America party. The Chicago party is one of 40 official parties that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>, IL-You don't have to live in Hollywood to experience the magic andt Chic<FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times" >Chicago, IL-You don't have to live in Hollywood to experience the magic and excitement of Oscar Night. Residents of Chicago can join in the festivities when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 75th Anniversary Academy Awards® Presentation on Sunday, March 23, 2003, by attending Chicago's only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night® America party. The Chicago party is one of 40 official parties that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.</FONT></div> <div> ago, IL-You don't have to live in Hollywood to experience the magic and excitement of Oscar Night. Residents of Chicago can join in the festivities when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 75th Anniversary Academy Awards® Presentation on Sunday, March 23, 2003, by attending Chicago's only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night® America party. The Chicago party is one of 40 official parties that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>caChicago, IL-You don't have to live in Hollywood to experience the magic and excitement of Oscar Night. Residents of Chicago can join in the festivities when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 75th Anniversary Academy Awards® Presentation on Sunday, March 23, 2003, by attending Chicago's only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night® America party. The Chicago party is one of 40 official parties that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Benefiting the educational programs of the Gene Siskel Film Center and the scholarship fund of The Chicago Academy for the Arts, the Chicago Oscar Night celebration will be held at the Film Center, 164 N. State St., from 7 p.m. to midnight.</div> <bR> <div> Guests will watch the Academy Awards telecast in the Film Center's state-of-the-art movie theaters through the courtesy of ABC-7, the Chicago affiliate of the ABC Television Network, which broadcasts the Oscar® presentation. ABC and the Academy are cooperating for the tenth year with local charities to create these official Oscar Night viewing parties. It marks the ninth year that the Chicago party has been officially sanctioned by the Academy.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> "Watching the Academy Awards Show is one of the great American traditions," said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis. "Since the public can't come to Los Angeles to attend the Awards Presentation, we created Oscar Night America, which allows these local parties to tie into the excitement of Oscar Night and to support some very worthy causes."<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The Academy will make available to party guests in Chicago the same official program distributed to guests seated at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, as well as the 75th Anniversary Academy Awards commemorative posters.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The benefit at the Gene Siskel Film Center begins at 7 p.m. when guests will be welcomed with Klieg lights and a red carpet. There will also be a silent auction, a raffle, and a light buffet. At 7:30 p.m., the live telecast of the 75th Annual Academy Awards® begins. Suggested attire for the evening is business casual or "Oscar Chic."<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Tickets to Chicago's Oscar Night® America benefit are $75, general admission; $150, Producer level-includes VIP reserved seating and program recognition; and $500, Oscar Package-includes two VIP tickets, 10 raffle tickets, and special program recognition. Tickets are available by calling either the Gene Siskel Film Center at 312-846-2072 or The Chicago Academy for the Arts at 312-421-0202.</div> <bR> <div> Event chairs for the benefit are Marsha Baade, Evie Glieberman, and Averill Leviton.</div> <bR> <div> This year's title sponsor for Chicago's Oscar Night® America is PricewaterhouseCoopers which has worked with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for more than 70 years to manage the Academy Awards balloting. </div> <bR> <div> Lead sponsors for Chicago's Oscar Night® America are ABC-7, American Airlines®, and Diet Pepsi®. ABC-7 will donate in-kind technical assistance to bring guests a quality presentation of the awards ceremony in the Film Center's two theaters. American Airlines® will donate trips to international destinations as part of the silent auction while Diet Pepsi® will donate a 1,000 raffle prize package.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Chicago restaurants and vendors providing in-kind food and beverage donations include Designed Cuisine, Eli's Cheesecake, Mon Ami Gabi, Petterino's, and Starbucks Coffee. The Chicago Film Office, Hotel Allegro, and Park Hyatt Chicago will donate prizes that are part of both the silent auction and raffle<I>. UR Chicago</I> is the benefit's print sponsor.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Starbucks Coffee and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts donated in-kind coffee and pastries for the February 11 Oscars Nominations Press Party Breakfast.</div> <bR> <div> Official Oscar Night parties last year raised over $1.6 million for local charities in 37 cities. All raised money stays in the community; none of it goes to the Academy.</div> <bR> <div> One of the largest and most comprehensive programs of its kind in the country, the 30 year-old Film Center of the School of the Art Institute is Chicago's premier venue for world cinema. Founded in 1972, the Film Center presents premieres of new American and foreign films, revivals of classics, retrospectives, independent productions and festivals of international scope. It also features personal appearances by prominent filmmakers, critics, actors and historians.</div> <bR> <div> The Chicago Academy for the Arts is the only private secondary school in Illinois that offers specialized training in the performing, visual, and media arts, in addition to a college preparatory academic curriculum. Ninety-seven percent of the graduates attend leading colleges, universities, and conservatories. Nearly 50 percent of Arts Academy students rely on scholarships to attend the institution.r Night. Residents of Chicago can join in the festivities when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 75th Anniversary Academy Awards® Presentation on Sunday, March 23, 2003, by attending Chicago's only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night® America party. The Chicago party is one of 40 official parties that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >NE </FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER AND</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>THE CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS TO HOST</B></div> <div> <B>CHICAGO'S OFFICIAL OSCAR NIGHT® PARTY</B></div> <div> SISKEL FILM CENTER AND</div> <div> <B>GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER AND</B></div> <div> <B>THE CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS TO HOST</B></div> <div> <B>CHICAGO'S OFFICIAL OSCAR NIGHT® PARTY</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>2003 BENEFIT TO BE HELD AT GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Chicago, IL-You don't have to live in Hollywood to experience the magic and excitement of Oscar Night. Residents of Chicago can join in the festivities when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 75th Anniversary Academy Awards® Presentation on Sunday, March 23, 2003, by attending Chicago's only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night® America party. The Chicago party is one of 40 official parties that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Benefiting the educational programs of the Gene Siskel Film Center and the scholarship fund of The Chicago Academy for the Arts, the Chicago Oscar Night celebration will be held at the Film Center, 164 N. State St., from 7 p.m. to midnight.</div> <bR> <div> Guests will watch the Academy Awards telecast in the Film Center's state-of-the-art movie theaters through the courtesy of ABC-7, the Chicago affiliate of the ABC Television Network, which broadcasts the Oscar® presentation. ABC and the Academy are cooperating for the tenth year with local charities to create these official Oscar Night viewing parties. It marks the ninth year that the Chicago party has been officially sanctioned by the Academy.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> "Watching the Academy Awards Show is one of the great American traditions," said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis. "Since the public can't come to Los Angeles to attend the Awards Presentation, we created Oscar Night America, which allows these local parties to tie into the excitement of Oscar Night and to support some very worthy causes."<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The Academy will make available to party guests in Chicago the same official program distributed to guests seated at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, as well as the 75th Anniversary Academy Awards commemorative posters.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The benefit at the Gene Siskel Film Center begins at 7 p.m. when guests will be welcomed with Klieg lights and a red carpet. There will also be a silent auction, a raffle, and a light buffet. At 7:30 p.m., the live telecast of the 75th Annual Academy Awards® begins. Suggested attire for the evening is business casual or "Oscar Chic."<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Tickets to Chicago's Oscar Night® America benefit are $75, general admission; $150, Producer level-includes VIP reserved seating and program recognition; and $500, Oscar Package-includes two VIP tickets, 10 raffle tickets, and special program recognition. Tickets are available by calling either the Gene Siskel Film Center at 312-846-2072 or The Chicago Academy for the Arts at 312-421-0202.</div> <div> Event chairs for the benefit are Marsha Baade, Evie Glieberman, and Averill Leviton.</div> <div> This year's title sponsor for Chicago's Oscar Night® America is PricewaterhouseCoopers which has worked with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for more than 70 years to manage the Academy Awards balloting. </div> <bR> <div> Lead sponsors for Chicago's Oscar Night® America are ABC-7, American Airlines®, and Diet Pepsi®. ABC-7 will donate in-kind technical assistance to bring guests a quality presentation of the awards ceremony in the Film Center's two theaters. American Airlines® will donate trips to international destinations as part of the silent auction while Diet Pepsi® will donate a 1,000 raffle prize package.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Chicago restaurants and vendors providing in-kind food and beverage donations include Designed Cuisine, Eli's Cheesecake, Mon Ami Gabi, Petterino's, and Starbucks Coffee. The Chicago Film Office, Hotel Allegro, and Park Hyatt Chicago will donate prizes that are part of both the silent auction and raffle<I>. UR Chicago</I> is the benefit's print sponsor.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Starbucks Coffee and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts donated in-kind coffee and pastries for the February 11 Oscars Nominations Press Party Breakfast.</div> <div> Official Oscar Night parties last year raised over $1.6 million for local charities in 37 cities. All raised money stays in the community; none of it goes to the Academy.</div> <div> One of the largest and most comprehensive programs of its kind in the country, the 30 year-old Film Center of the School of the Art Institute is Chicago's premier venue for world cinema. Founded in 1972, the Film Center presents premieres of new American and foreign films, revivals of classics, retrospectives, independent productions and festivals of international scope. It also features personal appearances by prominent filmmakers, critics, actors and historians.</div> <div> The Chicago Academy for the Arts is the only private secondary school in Illinois that offers specialized training in the performing, visual, and media arts, in addition to a college preparatory academic curriculum. Ninety-seven percent of the graduates attend leading colleges, universities, and conservatories. Nearly 50 percent of Arts Academy students rely on scholarships to attend the institution.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>E RELEASE: </B></div> <div> February 11, 2003<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>MEDIA CONTACTS:</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>Karen Cross Durham</B> Gene Siskel Film Center<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> 312-846-2074</div> <div> <U>kdurham@artic.edu</U></div> <div> <B>Geri French</B></div> <div> The Chicago Academy for the Arts</div> <div> 312-648-1508 </div> <bR> <div> <B>GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER AND</B></div> <div> <B>THE CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS TO HOST</B></div> <div> <B>CHICAGO'S OFFICIAL OSCAR NIGHT® PARTY</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>2003 BENEFIT TO BE HELD AT GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Chicago, IL-You don't have to live in Hollywood to experience the magic and excitement of Oscar Night. Residents of Chicago can join in the festivities when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 75th Anniversary Academy Awards® Presentation on Sunday, March 23, 2003, by attending Chicago's only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night® America party. The Chicago party is one of 40 official parties that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Benefiting the educational programs of the Gene Siskel Film Center and the scholarship fund of The Chicago Academy for the Arts, the Chicago Oscar Night celebration will be held at the Film Center, 164 N. State St., from 7 p.m. to midnight.</div> <bR> <div> Guests will watch the Academy Awards telecast in the Film Center's state-of-the-art movie theaters through the courtesy of ABC-7, the Chicago affiliate of the ABC Television Network, which broadcasts the Oscar® presentation. ABC and the Academy are cooperating for the tenth year with local charities to create these official Oscar Night viewing parties. It marks the ninth year that the Chicago party has been officially sanctioned by the Academy.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> "Watching the Academy Awards Show is one of the great American traditions," said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis. "Since the public can't come to Los Angeles to attend the Awards Presentation, we created Oscar Night America, which allows these local parties to tie into the excitement of Oscar Night and to support some very worthy causes."<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The Academy will make available to party guests in Chicago the same official program distributed to guests seated at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, as well as the 75th Anniversary Academy Awards commemorative posters.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The benefit at the Gene Siskel Film Center begins at 7 p.m. when guests will be welcomed with Klieg lights and a red carpet. There will also be a silent auction, a raffle, and a light buffet. At 7:30 p.m., the live telecast of the 75th Annual Academy Awards® begins. Suggested attire for the evening is business casual or "Oscar Chic."<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Tickets to Chicago's Oscar Night® America benefit are $75, general admission; $150, Producer level-includes VIP reserved seating and program recognition; and $500, Oscar Package-includes two VIP tickets, 10 raffle tickets, and special program recognition. Tickets are available by calling either the Gene Siskel Film Center at 312-846-2072 or The Chicago Academy for the Arts at 312-421-0202.</div> <div> Event chairs for the benefit are Marsha Baade, Evie Glieberman, and Averill Leviton.</div> <div> This year's title sponsor for Chicago's Oscar Night® America is PricewaterhouseCoopers which has worked with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for more than 70 years to manage the Academy Awards balloting. </div> <bR> <div> Lead sponsors for Chicago's Oscar Night® America are ABC-7, American Airlines®, and Diet Pepsi®. ABC-7 will donate in-kind technical assistance to bring guests a quality presentation of the awards ceremony in the Film Center's two theaters. American Airlines® will donate trips to international destinations as part of the silent auction while Diet Pepsi® will donate a 1,000 raffle prize package.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Chicago restaurants and vendors providing in-kind food and beverage donations include Designed Cuisine, Eli's Cheesecake, Mon Ami Gabi, Petterino's, and Starbucks Coffee. The Chicago Film Office, Hotel Allegro, and Park Hyatt Chicago will donate prizes that are part of both the silent auction and raffle<I>. UR Chicago</I> is the benefit's print sponsor.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Starbucks Coffee and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts donated in-kind coffee and pastries for the February 11 Oscars Nominations Press Party Breakfast.</div> <div> Official Oscar Night parties last year raised over $1.6 million for local charities in 37 cities. All raised money stays in the community; none of it goes to the Academy.</div> <div> One of the largest and most comprehensive programs of its kind in the country, the 30 year-old Film Center of the School of the Art Institute is Chicago's premier venue for world cinema. Founded in 1972, the Film Center presents premieres of new American and foreign films, revivals of classics, retrospectives, independent productions and festivals of international scope. It also features personal appearances by prominent filmmakers, critics, actors and historians.</div> <div> The Chicago Academy for the Arts is the only private secondary school in Illinois that offers specialized training in the performing, visual, and media arts, in addition to a college preparatory academic curriculum. Ninety-seven percent of the graduates attend leading colleges, universities, and conservatories. Nearly 50 percent of Arts Academy students rely on scholarships to attend the institution.</div> <div> ###</div> <bR> <div> ''''</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> E CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS TO HOST</div> <div> CHICAGO'S OFFICIAL OSCAR NIGHT® PARTY</div> <bR> <div> 2003 BENEFIT TO BE HELD AT GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Chicago, IL-You don't have to live in Hollywood to experience the magic and excitement of Oscar Night. Residents of Chicago can join in the festivities when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 75th Anniversary Academy Awards® Presentation on Sunday, March 23, 2003, by attending Chicago's only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night® America party. The Chicago party is one of 40 official parties that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Benefiting the educational programs of the Gene Siskel Film Center and the scholarship fund of The Chicago Academy for the Arts, the Chicago Oscar Night celebration will be held at the Film Center, 164 N. State St., from 7 p.m. to midnight.</div> <bR> <div> Guests will watch the Academy Awards telecast in the Film Center's state-of-the-art movie theaters through the courtesy of ABC-7, the Chicago affiliate of the ABC Television Network, which broadcasts the Oscar® presentation. ABC and the Academy are cooperating for the tenth year with local charities to create these official Oscar Night viewing parties. It marks the ninth year that the Chicago party has been officially sanctioned by the Academy.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> "Watching the Academy Awards Show is one of the great American traditions," said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis. "Since the public can't come to Los Angeles to attend the Awards Presentation, we created Oscar Night America, which allows these local parties to tie into the excitement of Oscar Night and to support some very worthy causes."<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The Academy will make available to party guests in Chicago the same official program distributed to guests seated at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, as well as the 75th Anniversary Academy Awards commemorative posters.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The benefit at the Gene Siskel Film Center begins at 7 p.m. when guests will be welcomed with Klieg lights and a red carpet. There will also be a silent auction, a raffle, and a light buffet. At 7:30 p.m., the live telecast of the 75th Annual Academy Awards® begins. Suggested attire for the evening is business casual or "Oscar Chic."<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Tickets to Chicago's Oscar Night® America benefit are $75, general admission; $150, Producer level-includes VIP reserved seating and program recognition; and $500, Oscar Package-includes two VIP tickets, 10 raffle tickets, and special program recognition. Tickets are available by calling either the Gene Siskel Film Center at 312-846-2072 or The Chicago Academy for the Arts at 312-421-0202.</div> <bR> <div> Event chairs for the benefit are Marsha Baade, Evie Glieberman, and Averill Leviton.</div> <bR> <div> This year's title sponsor for Chicago's Oscar Night® America is PricewaterhouseCoopers which has worked with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for more than 70 years to manage the Academy Awards balloting. </div> <bR> <div> Lead sponsors for Chicago's Oscar Night® America are ABC-7, American Airlines®, and Diet Pepsi®. ABC-7 will donate in-kind technical assistance to bring guests a quality presentation of the awards ceremony in the Film Center's two theaters. American Airlines® will donate trips to international destinations as part of the silent auction while Diet Pepsi® will donate a 1,000 raffle prize package.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Chicago restaurants and vendors providing in-kind food and beverage donations include Designed Cuisine, Eli's Cheesecake, Mon Ami Gabi, Petterino's, and Starbucks Coffee. The Chicago Film Office, Hotel Allegro, and Park Hyatt Chicago will donate prizes that are part of both the silent auction and raffle<I>. UR Chicago</I> is the benefit's print sponsor.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Starbucks Coffee and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts donated in-kind coffee and pastries for the February 11 Oscars Nominations Press Party Breakfast.</div> <bR> <div> Official Oscar Night parties last year raised over $1.6 million for local charities in 37 cities. All raised money stays in the community; none of it goes to the Academy.</div> <bR> <div> One of the largest and most comprehensive programs of its kind in the country, the 30 year-old Film Center of the School of the Art Institute is Chicago's premier venue for world cinema. Founded in 1972, the Film Center presents premieres of new American and foreign films, revivals of classics, retrospectives, independent productions and festivals of international scope. It also features personal appearances by prominent filmmakers, critics, actors and historians.</div> <bR> <div> The Chicago Academy for the Arts is the only private secondary school in Illinois that offers specialized training in the performing, visual, and media arts, in addition to a college preparatory academic curriculum. Ninety-seven percent of the graduates attend leading colleges, universities, and conservatories. Nearly 50 percent of Arts Academy students rely on scholarships to attend the institution.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER AND</div> <div> THE CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS TO HOST</div> <div> CHICAGO'S OFFICIAL OSCAR NIGHT® PARTY</div> <bR> <div> 2003 BENEFIT TO BE HELD AT GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Chicago, IL-You don't have to live in Hollywood to experience the magic and excitement of Oscar Night. Residents of Chicago can join in the festivities when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 75th Anniversary Academy Awards® Presentation on Sunday, March 23, 2003, by attending Chicago's only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night® America party. The Chicago party is one of 40 official parties that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Benefiting the educational programs of the Gene Siskel Film Center and the scholarship fund of The Chicago Academy for the Arts, the Chicago Oscar Night celebration will be held at the Film Center, 164 N. State St., from 7 p.m. to midnight.</div> <bR> <div> Guests will watch the Academy Awards telecast in the Film Center's state-of-the-art movie theaters through the courtesy of ABC-7, the Chicago affiliate of the ABC Television Network, which broadcasts the Oscar® presentation. ABC and the Academy are cooperating for the tenth year with local charities to create these official Oscar Night viewing parties. It marks the ninth year that the Chicago party has been officially sanctioned by the Academy.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> "Watching the Academy Awards Show is one of the great American traditions," said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis. "Since the public can't come to Los Angeles to attend the Awards Presentation, we created Oscar Night America, which allows these local parties to tie into the excitement of Oscar Night and to support some very worthy causes."<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The Academy will make available to party guests in Chicago the same official program distributed to guests seated at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, as well as the 75th Anniversary Academy Awards commemorative posters.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The benefit at the Gene Siskel Film Center begins at 7 p.m. when guests will be welcomed with Klieg lights and a red carpet. There will also be a silent auction, a raffle, and a light buffet. At 7:30 p.m., the live telecast of the 75th Annual Academy Awards® begins. Suggested attire for the evening is business casual or "Oscar Chic."<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Tickets to Chicago's Oscar Night® America benefit are $75, general admission; $150, Producer level-includes VIP reserved seating and program recognition; and $500, Oscar Package-includes two VIP tickets, 10 raffle tickets, and special program recognition. Tickets are available by calling either the Gene Siskel Film Center at 312-846-2072 or The Chicago Academy for the Arts at 312-421-0202.</div> <bR> <div> Event chairs for the benefit are Marsha Baade, Evie Glieberman, and Averill Leviton.</div> <bR> <div> This year's title sponsor for Chicago's Oscar Night® America is PricewaterhouseCoopers which has worked with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for more than 70 years to manage the Academy Awards balloting. </div> <bR> <div> Lead sponsors for Chicago's Oscar Night® America are ABC-7, American Airlines®, and Diet Pepsi®. ABC-7 will donate in-kind technical assistance to bring guests a quality presentation of the awards ceremony in the Film Center's two theaters. American Airlines® will donate trips to international destinations as part of the silent auction while Diet Pepsi® will donate a 1,000 raffle prize package.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Chicago restaurants and vendors providing in-kind food and beverage donations include Designed Cuisine, Eli's Cheesecake, Mon Ami Gabi, Petterino's, and Starbucks Coffee. The Chicago Film Office, Hotel Allegro, and Park Hyatt Chicago will donate prizes that are part of both the silent auction and raffle<I>. UR Chicago</I> is the benefit's print sponsor.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Starbucks Coffee and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts donated in-kind coffee and pastries for the February 11 Oscars Nominations Press Party Breakfast.</div> <bR> <div> Official Oscar Night parties last year raised over $1.6 million for local charities in 37 cities. All raised money stays in the community; none of it goes to the Academy.</div> <bR> <div> One of the largest and most comprehensive programs of its kind in the country, the 30 year-old Film Center of the School of the Art Institute is Chicago's premier venue for world cinema. Founded in 1972, the Film Center presents premieres of new American and foreign films, revivals of classics, retrospectives, independent productions and festivals of international scope. It also features personal appearances by prominent filmmakers, critics, actors and historians.</div> <bR> <div> The Chicago Academy for the Arts is the only private secondary school in Illinois that offers specialized training in the performing, visual, and media arts, in addition to a college preparatory academic curriculum. Ninety-seven percent of the graduates attend leading colleges, universities, and conservatories. Nearly 50 percent of Arts Academy students rely on scholarships to attend the institution.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="501" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="495"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="495" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>