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Arts & Entertainment

Reba to Headline McCallum Gala Celebration

McEntire returns for first visit since 1990; fundraiser evening to celebrate retired McCallum CEO Ted Giatas.

Mitch Gershenfeld, President and CEO of the McCallum Theatre, announced that the Theatre will present superstar Reba McEntire at their 25th Anniversary Fundraising Gala on November 30, 2012.

The evening will honor Ted Giatas, who served as President and CEO of the McCallum until his retirement earlier this year.

Gershenfeld said, “We are very happy that Reba will be making a return visit to the McCallum. Her last performance here was in 1990, and since that time, she has gone on to sell 56 million records, star in a hit television series and portray the lead on Broadway in “Annie Get Your Gun".   This fall she will make return to network television in a new series for ABC called “Malibu Country.”

Gershenfeld also praised Giatas’ tenure at The McCallum which ran from 1999 to his retirement at the end of May, 2012. “Ted made the McCallum Theatre the success it is today. We are all indebted to him for his leadership over the past 13 years.”

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“My efforts on behalf of the McCallum Theatre have been a labor of love. I could not have done this alone," Giatas said.  "My debt of gratitude goes to the Board of Trustees who put their faith in me, the political leaders who understood the value of a performing arts theatre to our Valley, the incredible Theatre staff and most of all, the wonderful people in our community who supported our efforts and helped us preserve the McCallum Theatre for future generations.”

Proceeds from the Gala will benefit McCallum Theatre activities, including its award-winning arts education program that has served more than 400,000 Coachella Valley schoolchildren.

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Gala performance tickets are available at $500 for preferred seating. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and dinner at one of four excellent desert restaurants - Cuistot, Jillian's, Ruth’s Chris Steak House or Wally's Desert Turtle, followed by the 8:00 p.m. performance at the McCallum Theatre.

For more information, contact Judi Pofsky-Cohen, Jpofsky-cohen@mccallum-theatre.org, or at (760) 346-6505, Ext. 126.

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