Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Contact:          Yael Oestreich (212) 614-2527/(310)600-6999/ YOestreich@thecreativecoalition.org

Rhett Usry, Dan Klores Communications (212) 981-5214 / Rhett_usry@dkcnews.com

THE CREATIVE COALITION PRESENTS

2005 SPOTLIGHT AWARDS AND CHRISTOPHER REEVE FIRST AMENDMENT AWARD AT

‘ESQUIRE DOWNTOWN AT ASTOR PLACE’

New York City (November 10, 2005) – Al Franken will present the 2005 Christopher Reeve First Amendment Award to journalist and political pundit  Arianna Huffington at The Creative Coalition’s 2005 Spotlight Awards Gala scheduled to be held on Thursday evening, November 10^th at Esquire Downtown at Astor Place.  2005 Spotlight Awards also will be presented that evening to Star Jones Reynolds and Evern Cooper Epps, President of The UPS Foundation.  Mario Cantone hosts the evening with his special blend of humor, wit and candor.

Other confirmed presenters and guests include:  Actors and Co-Presidents of The Creative Coalition Tony Goldwyn and Joe Pantoliano, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Bebe Neuwirth, Lou Reed, Richard Belzer, Griffin Dunne, Ally Sheedy, Christian Campbell, Rocco DiSpirito, Tamara Tunie, Cady Huffman, Steven Van Zandt, Kate Mulgrew, Amy Carlson, Phillip Bloch, Bill Smitrovich, Giancarlo Esposito, Rita Cosby and Omarosa Maningault-Stallworth.

DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

WHO:              2005 Christopher Reeve First Amendment Award and Spotlight Award Recipients:

Arianna Huffington

Star Jones Reynolds

Evern Cooper Epps, President of the UPS Foundation

Musical segment featuring Avenue Q’s Mark Harmon, Birdland’s Jim Caruso and Broadway’s Julia Murney

WHAT:            2005 Spotlight Awards Gala

WHERE:         Esquire Downtown at Astor Place
                       445 Lafayette Street
                        16^th Floor
                        New York, NY

WHEN:           Thursday evening, November 10, 2005

6:30 PM         Press/Photo-ops               

7:00 PM         Gala

THIS IS A SOLD-OUT VIP TICKETED EVENT.  For press passes and to schedule photo opportunities, please contact Yael Oestreich at (212) 614-2527/(310)600-6999/ YOestreich@thecreativecoalition.org  or Rhett Usry, Dan Klores Communications: (212) 981-5214 / Rhett_usry@dkcnews.com.

The Creative Coalition is the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community.  Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating its members on issues of public importance, primarily the First Amendment, arts advocacy, campaign finance reform and public education.  Headquartered in New York City, The Creative Coalition also has offices in Washington, DC, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Creative Coalition does not endorse or raise funds for political parties or candidates.

The $12.5 million Esquire Downtown at Astor Place is New York’s first downtown showcase home.  Located in the “Sculpture for Living” building designed by Gwathmey Siegel, it features the work of A-list interior decorators and designs by Louis Vuitton, Versace, Calvin Klein, DKNY, and more that reflect the lifestyle of today’s modern man. 

###