The Magic of Oscar to 38 Cities across America

Beverly Hills, CA - Oscar's red carpet extends the length and breadth of America.

The thrill of walking down the red carpet on Oscar Night(R) won't be felt by the stars in 
Hollywood alone; thousands of Americans in 38 cities across the country will encounter Oscar's 
unique brand of magic at Oscar Night America( fundraising galas, each one sanctioned by the 
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

From Washington, D. C. to Honolulu, Oscar Night America parties will attempt to re-create the 
glamour and excitement of the Academy Awards ceremony, complete with limousine rides, walks 
down red carpets, celebrities, paparazzi and press interviews of arriving guests.  Last year, 
37 Oscar Night America parties raised over $1.5 million for local charities.   All money raised 
stays in each community; none of it goes to the Academy.

The 38 cities hosting Oscar Night America parties in 2002 are Atlanta, Augusta, Baltimore, 
Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, 
Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, 
Nashville, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento,  Salt 
Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Tucson and 
Washington, D.C.   All of the parties will feature a live broadcast of the 74th Academy Awards
Presentation, which is being televised by the ABC Television Network.

"Oscar Night has been America's party night for years," said Ric Robertson, executive 
administrator of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  Among the thousands of
parties every Oscar Night are hundreds of charity fundraisers.  "We developed Oscar Night 
America as a way for at least some of those events to benefit by virtue of a relationship with 
the big show out here in Los Angeles.  Receiving official Oscar Night America status seems to 
make those parties a bit more special."

The Academy provides official Oscar Night America parties with the same printed Academy Award 
show programs as those handed out at the ceremonies in Los Angeles.  The Academy also provides 
copies of the 74th Academy Awards poster designed by graphic novel artist Alex Ross.  
Official parties are also permitted to use the image of the Academy's copyrighted Oscar 
statuette on invitations and other material.

Most of the parties are black-tie affairs, though some are less formal, with varied and 
distinctive touches.  Some events require partygoers to dress up as famous couples, and many 
feature photographers or "paparazzi" to shoot the arrivals.

Only one charity party in a given city may participate in Oscar Night America.  Events are 
completely produced by local non-profit organizations, with the active participation of the 
local ABC-TV affiliate station.  Among the charities presenting parties this year are the 
Arthritis Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Volunteers of America, Variety Club, Minnesota 
AIDS Project, FILMAID, The Ellie Fund, Detroit Institute of the Arts, Denver Film Society and 
other local arts foundations and film festivals.

Oscar Night America began in 1994 with parties in two cities, Minneapolis and San Francisco.  
Concept Marketing Development of Camarillo, California, will assist the Academy in coordination 
of the program for the eighth consecutive year.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2001 will be presented on Sunday, March 24, 
2002, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland(R) and televised live by the ABC Television 
Network beginning at 5:30 p.m. (PST).  A half-hour arrival segment will precede the presentation
ceremony at 5 p.m.

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