University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff

November 8, 2001

Contact: Bill Burton (312) 996-2269; burton@uic.edu

HEADLINERS REOPEN UIC PAVILION WITH GALA BENEFIT CONCERTS

Two benefits, featuring gala concerts by Aretha Franklin and the Irish Tenors in the newly renovated UIC Pavilion, will help establish a new scholarship endowment at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Franklin will perform Nov. 30 and the Irish Tenors will give a holiday concert Dec. 1.

Galas organized around the headline concerts will help fund the Supporting Excellence Endowment, established by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs to award scholarships to outstanding students who demonstrate strong leadership skills.

Faculty, students, staff and the general public can purchase tickets to either or both of the gala concerts. The $175 per person, per show tickets include cocktails before the show, a formal dinner in the Student Services Building, special seats at the concert and coffee and dessert after the show. Gala tickets have a $100 tax-deductible portion that goes toward the annual scholarships.

Franklin, the Queen of Soul, has a long list of hits that includes "Respect," "Chain of Fools" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman." Gospel-trained soul singer Otis Clay will open the Friday night show.

The Irish Tenors - Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Finbar Wright - tour the world performing traditional Irish songs. They will perform Saturday night with full orchestra.

The 10,000-seat UIC Pavilion is the site of cultural, athletic and educational events. The $6.5-million remodeling, the Pavilion's first since its 1982 opening, includes a new glass-enclosed front entrance, expanded and improved seating, better concessions, and new lighting and sound systems.

To reserve tickets, call 312-413-5902.

- UIC -