Intimate Dinners to Be Publicly Auctioned in Support of City of Hope’s Mission to Conquer Cancer
CONTACT
City of Hope
Bridget Livengood
626-232-2498
[email protected]
AEG Presents
Dennis Dennehy
310-663-7934
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SLATE PR
Julia Rossen/Ida Bo Frazier
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LOS ANGELES — City of Hope®, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, announced today that its Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) Spirit of Life® honoree Jay Marciano and Chef Evan Funke have partnered with Conan O’Brien, David Blaine and Chef Evan Funke himself to host three exclusive dinners – ‘Charitybuzz Hosts: Good Evenings’ – at Funke to support City of Hope’s efforts to conquer cancer.
It was previously announced that Marciano — chairman and CEO of AEG Presents, a global leader in live events — will be honored with City of Hope’s prestigious Spirit of Life Award on Oct. 22, 2024, at the historic Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Hosted by Fred Armisen, the evening will feature performances from Elton John and David Blaine, and food by Chef Funke.
The dinners, to be held in Funke’s private dining room in Beverly Hills, are a unique opportunity to experience old-world handmade pasta techniques in an intimate setting that promises auction winners an evening of conversation, food and fun with a once-in-a-lifetime host for you and your lucky guests, with all proceeds benefiting City of Hope.
Three evening events will take place this fall and are up for auction:
· Oct. 17, 2024 — Chef Funke will host dinner and offer a sneak peek at the menu he’s planning for the Spirit of Life gala the following week.
· Oct. 21, 2024 — Magician and mentalist David Blaine will host dinner the day prior to the gala.
· Nov. 19, 2024 — Television host, writer, comedian and podcaster Conan O’Brien will host the final dinner of the series.
Each auction package is sold as a pair of seats for a private dining experience for 18 guests and consists of a prix fixe, bespoke menu created by Chef Funke.
In addition to the dinner series, Marciano has extended his fundraising efforts to include once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that are accessible to every fan wishing to support City of Hope’s mission to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer. This includes the opportunity to bid on a pair of tickets to the Spirit of Life gala, an event that is typically available only to members of MFEI.
“I’m honored that these incredible individuals have committed their time and talents for three unforgettable evenings in support of City of Hope,” Marciano said. “Offering people experiences of a lifetime is at the heart of what we do: connecting them to magic, emotion, and energy to create moments they will remember forever. Doing so in service of City of Hope’s work to eradicate cancer makes it that much more meaningful.”
Earlier this year, Marciano launched his campaign by donating Artist Passes for Coachella, inviting fans to attend the music industry’s well-known ‘Night Before’ dinner in the desert, VIP tickets and artist meet-and-greets, including with Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones and Kane Brown. These efforts have resulted in $750K raised as part of his campaign.
“Our partners in the music industry continue to raise the stakes when it comes to finding creative ways to speed City of Hope’s cancer research through philanthropy,” said Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer at City of Hope. “Jay and his team are doing what they do best — inspiring their fans. I’m so grateful that it’s to the benefit of cancer patients.”
City of Hope’s Spirit of Life gala will conclude Marciano’s year-long fundraising initiative to benefit City of Hope’s cancer research. Click here for gala tickets and sponsorship, to make a donation or to learn about more ways to participate in the campaign, or email [email protected].
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About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked top 5 in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Group
Inspired by the guiding humanitarian principles of City of Hope and motivated by the institution's commitment to innovative medical research and compassionate patient care, a group of key industry executives founded City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry group in 1973. In its 50-plus-year history, the group has raised over $150 million for City of Hope and has honored some of the most important figures in the music and entertainment industry.
The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious honor and is presented to an esteemed community of industry leaders around the world who have made a significant commitment to improving the lives of others through the advancement of research and clinical innovation and the delivery of personalized, compassionate care. Past honorees include Lyor Cohen, Shelli and Irving Azoff, Edgar Bronfman Jr., Coran Capshaw, Eddy Cue, Clive Davis, Sir Lucian Grainge, Allen Grubman, Quincy Jones, Rob Light, Monte and Avery Lipman, Doug Morris, Mo Ostin, Bob Pittman, Jon Platt and Sylvia Rhone to name a few.
About Evan Funke
Evan Funke is a culinary storyteller, a custodian of Italian tradition and a master of the old-world techniques of handmade pasta. His singular passion as a pasta maker and chef was solidified in Bologna, under the mentorship of Alessandra Spisni at La Vecchia Scuola Bolognese. Widely known for his ardent dedication to seasonality, warmth in hospitality, and reverence for the deeply rooted culinary traditions of Italy, he brings nearly two decades of excellence to all of his critically acclaimed restaurants - eponymous Funke in Beverly Hills which opened in May 2023; his homage to la cucina Romana at Mother Wolf in Hollywood, with additional locations in Las Vegas at the Fontainebleau Hotel and Miami’s Design District; the beloved Felix on Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice (2017); and Tre Dita at the St. Regis Hotel in Chicago (Spring 2024). On the small screen, he has been featured in a range of projects including “Funke,” a documentary from Tastemade Studios, and an acclaimed docuseries called “Shape of Pasta.” He is the author of the award-winning cookbook “American Sfoglino,” with another title on the way. Notably, since 2022, Funke is currently the official chef of the legendary Vanity Fair Oscar Parties.