Earth, Wind & Fire Headlines Front & Center 2011

What:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Earth, Wind & Fire headlines Cal State Fullerton’s Front & Center 2011 for an evening in sync with the Grammy-winning group’s hit single “Let’s Groove.” The soul, funk and R&B group’s gold and platinum albums feature such hits as “Boogie Wonderland,” “Singasong,” “Shining Star” and “September.”

When:
Saturday, Feb. 19 8 p.m.

Where:
Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim

Caption: Jubilant SykesDownload Photo

Who:
Baritone Jubilant Sykes will serve as master of ceremonies of the 16th annual event. A CSUF Class of ’79 music graduate, Sykes was a 2010 Grammy Award nominee for Best Classical Recording. Known to Hollywood Bowl audiences, he has been a featured soloist with many of the world’s most prominent orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, London Symphony, Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic. From Carnegie Hall to the New Orleans Jazz Festival, Sykes has performed at hundreds of major venues. Joining him on stage at the Honda Center will be student performers from the university’s College of the Arts.

Why:
The mission of Front & Center is to broaden the university’s visibility and influence in Orange County and Southern California, cultivate prospective supporters for the university, and provide funds for academic enrichment and student scholarships.

Background:
Front & Center debuted in 1996 with Colin Powell as keynoter. Successive years featured: Tony Bennett, Chicago, Natalie Cole, Bill Cosby, Walter Cronkite, the Doobie Brothers, Michael Eisner, Whoopi Goldberg, Gladys Knight, Kenny Loggins, Reba McEntire, Stevie Nicks, Christopher Reeve and the Steve Miller Band.

Overseeing the event is the university’s Blue Ribbon Committee, a group of business, civic and educational leaders dedicated to advancing higher education.

Sponsors:
Platinum sponsors are Honda Center, Orange County Register and Pepsi. In addition, other corporate sponsors and individuals support the event.

Cost:
Tickets range from $39.50 to $89.50 for arena concert seating and can be purchased online at www.fullerton.edu/frontandcenter. Table seating for the black-tie dinner and concert is available for supporters who contribute a minimum of $600 for individual tickets or from $5,000 to $25,000 for tables of 10. 

Website:
www.fullerton.edu/frontandcenter

 

Media Contacts:
Paula Selleck, Public Affairs, 657-278-4856 or pselleck@fullerton.edu

Ryan Smith, University Advancement, 657-278-3381 or ryansmith@fullerton.edu