AN EVENT SO BIG…ONLY SHAQ COULD HOST IT
After 30 years in Las Vegas, I consider myself nearly a native. This is where I met my husband, had my kids, and built my business. I love this city, and I welcome any opportunity to support organizations that give back; especially to children.
As the mother of two school-age children in the Las Vegas Valley, I have a first-row seat to the challenges that many families face. The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation is one such charity that raised tremendous funds that have a direct impact on our students and our schools.
This year, I am proud to have offered my design services to the organization. The evening begins with a VIP meet and greet, followed by a spectacular dinner on the main floor of the MGM Grand Garden Arena. We have a dynamic color, palette and exciting textures that we are introducing for the very first time, along with a brand new menu from our catering team at the MGM Grand. Afterward, the organization will produce a concert featuring Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Ray Romano, and more.
Tables and tickets are still available, and I urge you to join us not only for an exciting night out, but to help support our local community. For more information, please read our press release below.
I hope to see you there!
XO - Andrea
PRESS RELEASE
The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation today announced their third annual fundraising gala, The Event, presented by Pepsi Stronger Together on October 7, 2023 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This year’s gala will be hosted by Actor, Comedian, and Host Joel McHale, and will feature an all-star music and comedy line-up, including performances from EGOT-winning singer-songwriter John Legend; GRAMMY-winning country-pop duo Dan + Shay; 8x GRAMMY award winner DJ PEE .WEE(aka Anderson .Paak) spinning an all vinyl set; EGOT Award-winner Jennifer Hudson; and Emmy Award-winning comedian Ray Romano. Returning for his third year as Music Director is GRAMMY and Emmy Award winner Adam Blackstone.
The Event is the primary fundraiser for The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation, established by NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation aims to create pathways for underserved youth to help them achieve their full potential. In doing so, they have partnered with two organizations close to Shaquille’s heart – Boys & Girls Clubs and Communities In Schools.
Tickets to the public concert are available and on sale now via AXS.com. Prices range from $50 to $250. The evening will also include a private cocktail reception, dinner, and live auction followed by the public performance. Table sponsorships for the private event are available ranging from $15,000 to $100,000. Additional details about The Event and ticket or table options can be found at shaqfoundation.org.
"We raised the bar last year, and The Third Event promises to do the same,” O’Neal said. “I’m so grateful to our entertainers who are once again donating their time. I know they will create a night of incredible music and comedy in a true testament to the power of unity to make a difference in kids' lives. I'm also excited to see familiar faces and new supporters alike, joining hands in the spirit of compassion to give back to the community. Let’s make this another night to remember!"
The Foundation focuses on serving children in Las Vegas and Atlanta. To date, The Event has raised more than $6M, providing key support for the Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County, the construction of youth athletic courts and fields, Shaquille’s annual Shaq-a-Claus holiday program, and more. This year's proceeds will continue to support similar efforts, including the construction of a new joint facility which will house a Boys & Girls Club and a Communities In Schools Alumni Center in Las Vegas.
“We are proud to partner again with the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation to support our communities in need,” said Kent Montgomery, SVP, Industry Relations and Multicultural Development, PepsiCo. “Our goal is to bring smiles and support to historically underserved communities, and this partnership supports our shared vision to drive equity and help truly make a difference.”
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About The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation
The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation creates pathways for underserved youth, helping them achieve their full potential. Established in 2019 by the NBA Hall of Famer, television sports analyst and entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal, the Foundation works to instill hope and bring about change in communities, collectively shaping a brighter future for our children. While primarily partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs and Communities In Schools, the Foundation simultaneously supports Shaquille’s other charitable endeavors, such as his annual Shaq-a-Claus holiday event and initiatives alongside his corporate partners. For more information, visit shaqfoundation.org.
About MGM Grand Garden Arena
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound. Prominent events to date have included world championship fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao; and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, George Strait, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, U2, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Jimmy Buffett and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. The MGM Grand Garden Arena also has been home to annual events including the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the Latin GRAMMY Awards, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Championship and Frozen Fury NHL pre-season games hosted by the Los Angeles Kings.
About Pepsi Stronger Together
Pepsi Stronger Together is a national initiative to empower and engage communities around the country by providing tailored programming and resources that bring people together. It was conceived with the idea that now, more than ever, we must foster a sense of connection and belonging, starting by investing locally. Launched in May of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic - engaging its network of partners in the South to shine a spotlight on essential front-line workers in a variety of industries - Pepsi Stronger Together was expanded in October of 2020 by partnering with NBA teams and charitable organizations to foster, among other things, community and police relations.
