On May 6, 2004, Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow participate in an environmental benefit, “Earth To L.A.–The Greatest Show On Earth!” The $500 ticket also features Tom Hanks, Diane Keaton, Meg Ryan, Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Farrell.
– NRDC’s (Natural Resources Defense Council) biennial fundraiser “Earth to L.A.! – The Greatest Show on the
Earth,” featuring Tom Hanks as host and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as keynote
speaker, has emerged as the hottest ticket in town. The irreverent evening of
music, message and comedy, to be held on Thursday, May 6 at the Wadsworth
Theatre in Los Angeles, sold out in record time. It has also already exceeded
NRDC’s financial goal by raising over $2.5 million to advance the
environmental organization’s mission to safeguard the Earth’s natural
resources; far surpassing previous benchmarks.
“The level of support for this event is truly unprecedented,” said NRDC
trustee Laurie David, who created “Earth to L.A.!” four years ago. “The
entertainment community cares deeply about what is happening to our
environment. From the writers, to the talent in the show, to all of the
people donating their time to make this event happen — everyone wants to
support NRDC.”
“Earth to L.A.!” is designed to raise awareness about environmental
problems, particularly global warming. More than 90 cents of every dollar
raised from the event will be used for NRDC’s programs to protect the planet.
The live show will include standup comedy, musical performances and
sharp-edged commentary and appearances by Willie Nelson, Jack Black, Sheryl Crow, Larry
David, Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Ferrell, Diane Keaton, Stephen Colbert, Eric
Idle and Meg Ryan.
The night also features a “green carpet” celebrity arrival event with some
of Hollywood’s top talent who are NRDC supporters, including: Toby Maguire,
Ben Stiller, Pierce Brosnan, Albert Brooks, Carole King, Julia Louis-Dreyfus,
Tom Ford, Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson, Martin Short, and Mark Burnett.
“We have had tremendous support from great friends, supporters and
sponsors including Ralph Lauren Fragrances, who have been instrumental in
helping us raise money and awareness for NRDC’s critical work,” said Elizabeth
Wiatt, NRDC trustee and event co-chair. Wiatt co-founded NRDC’s Action and
Executive Forums, which lobby the government on environmental issues.
Event chairs for “Earth to L.A.!” are Larry David, Cindy Horn, Jim Wiatt
and NRDC trustees Laurie David, Alan Horn, Peter Morton and Elizabeth Wiatt.
Emmy Award-winning producer Joel Gallen is overseeing production, and Academy
Award-nominated designer Michael Riva will once again create the sets. Ralph
Lauren Fragrances is the premier sponsor of the event’s after-party.
Underwriters include Warner Bros., MTV Networks, HBO and Village Roadshow
Pictures.
NRDC is making the concert Climate Cool(TM) by purchasing clean power from
Vermont-based NativeEnergy, which will offset every ton of global warming
emissions generated by the event, including all power for the sound and
lights. Clean power proceeds will help build a wind farm on the Rosebud Sioux
Reservation in South Dakota and support Northwest wind farms that generate
energy without the heat-trapping pollution that causes global warming.
NRDC’s lawyers, scientists and policy analysts are often described as the
most effective environmental advocates in the nation. NRDC’s purpose is to
safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural
systems on which all life depends. In 1970, when there were few environmental
laws on the books to protect our water, air and wilderness, several leading
attorneys identified the need to create a law firm with one client — the
Earth. For over 30 years, NRDC has helped craft, pass and defend some of the
nation’s key environmental statutes, including the Clean Water Act and the
Endangered Species Act.
NRDC’s strategy is to get results using the most effective tools
available, whether it’s working with the construction industry to promote
wood-efficient building techniques, or mobilizing public opinion to force the
Environmental Protection Agency to enact stricter guidelines to protect
children from harmful chemicals. Today, NRDC has more than 1 million members
and online activists nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington,
Santa Monica and San Francisco. For more information visit www.nrdc.org.