Irish Tenor Anthony Kearns to Headline Sunday's EHWA Charity Benefit - Public Service Announcements with Sportscaster Tom Hammond Now Airing

Michael Blowen of Old Friends Equine to Emcee at Fasig-Tipton

LEXINGTON, Ky., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- World-renowned tenor Anthony Kearns will perform at "A Night at the Pavilion: A Tribute to Kentucky's Horses" – a special benefit for the nonprofit Equine Health and Welfare Alliance (EHWA) – on Sunday, July 10, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends Equine, will emcee the event, it was announced.

Public service announcements, voiced by famed sportscaster and Lexington-native Tom Hammond, are now airing locally and can also be watched online. The premier charity event will be held just two days before the Summer Yearling Sale at the Fasig-Tipton Company's Sales Pavilion, located at 2400 Newtown Pike. (Tel: 859.255.1555).

Blowen's organization – Old Friends Equine – brings "at risk" racehorses who have retired to the Old Friends facility, providing them with a dignified retirement. 

Proceeds from this charity extravaganza will benefit the EHWA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for horses. Tickets for the event are $150 per person, $250 per couple and can be purchased by calling EHWA at 859.227.0879.  (Online tickets may be purchased at www.equinehealthandwelfare.org).

Guests will also be treated to a rare opportunity to sample Kentucky's finest Bourbon produced by its signature distilleries: Jim Beam, Four Roses, Maker's Mark, and Heaven Hill.

Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear will attend the event. 

"As a horse enthusiast, I'm very pleased to participate in this wonderful event to benefit the EHWA," said Mrs. Beshear. "I'm looking forward to attending this spectacular musical evening – and I encourage others to join us in support of equine health research and education."

"We're privileged to have Kentucky's First Family and one of the world's greatest tenors, Anthony Kearns, join us for what will be our premiere fundraising event this summer," said Dr. Frank Marcum, EHWA founding member.

Other invited VIP guests will include members of the Kentucky congressional delegation and Kentucky state assembly, representatives of the Bluegrass horse industry, and horse lovers and buyers from around the world.

"I'm delighted to perform at this fantastic event which combines two of my greatest passions, music and horses," said Kearns. Kearns, a founding member of The Irish Tenors, noted that Ireland shares a rich history with the Kentucky horse industry.

Mr. Kearns is coming off of a recent performance at the Centennial Celebration of the late President Ronald Reagan  in New Orleans. He recently performed at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock and at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 

In June, he starred as the lead tenor, "Don Ottavio," in the opera Don Giovanni, at the Lismore Opera Festival. On August 18, Mr. Kearns will perform with the Emerald City Opera in Steamboat Springs, CO as "Alfred" in Die Fledermaus. Kearns, who has an international solo career in addition to his work with The Irish Tenors, has 11 CDs to his credit and is a member of The Recording Academy ("The GRAMMYs").

The Equine Health and Welfare Alliance is a Lexington, KY-nonprofit organization whose goal is to develop and maintain a comprehensive network of education, research and support for the basic needs of all horses that allows them a life of dignity.

Formed in 1898 by William B. Fasig and Edward A. Tipton, Fasig-Tipton Co. is North America's oldest Thoroughbred auction company. Its permanent headquarters are in Lexington, Kentucky. For more information about Kentucky's signature Bourbon industry, please visit http://www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

For information about EHWA, contact Dr. Frank Marcum at 859.227.0879.

For more information or to request an interview or special engagement with Anthony Kearns, please contact Kirsten Fedewa (On behalf of Anthony Kearns) at 202.365.6936 or [email protected].

SOURCE Dr. Frank Marcum (EHWA)