Interactive Work of Art Brings King of Pop's Legacy to Disadvantaged Kids In Time for Thanksgiving

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine being a kid from the inner city and suddenly finding yourself walking down the red carpet with the stars of the movie you're about to see.

On Tuesday, the last day before Thanksgiving break, a group of 60 students from three Crenshaw District public schools will walk down the red carpet with celebrity guests and become a dot in the largest Michael Jackson tribute in the world, which is supported by Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Mickey Rooney, Vivica A. Fox, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and many others.

The Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait is a charitable project that has brought together nearly a quarter of a million fans in more than 165 countries. This one-of-a-kind work of art is being created by Los Angeles based celebrity artist David Ilan using a technique called pointillism - made from hand drawn dots. Fans everywhere are being invited to go to www.MichaelJacksonTributePortrait.com to receive a free dot in their name.

One dot = one fan.

The students will perform a rendition of a Michael Jackson hit in front of special guests from the film, including Jackson's musical director Michael Bearden, "THIS IS IT" drummer Jonathan Moffett and background vocalist Ken Stacey. They will meet Tatiana Yvonne, who co-starred with Jackson in "The Way You Make Me Feel" video and additional surprise guests. Afterwards, all will be treated to an exclusive screening of "THIS IS IT."

"Michael knew the two most important things in life: Children and Mother Earth. It's our responsibility to cherish and nurture both. I am honored to be attending this event, because I have always shared this sentiment," said Tatiana Yvonne.

"We see Michael's Tribute Portrait as an opportunity to carry on his work," said Executive Producer Jerry Biederman. "Michael brought busloads of children from the inner city and others who were ill to Neverland. Now that Neverland and Michael are gone, fans are finding ways to support those who Michael cared about. This is our mission."

The November 24 event, at 9:30 a.m., is hosted by the AMC Magic Johnson theatres, and organized in association with May May Ali (daughter of Muhammad Ali) and Torre Reese of FAMLI, INC. (a nonprofit after school enrichment/mentoring program). The event will honor students from Audobon Middle School, and Crenshaw and Dorsey High Schools.

The Tribute Portrait is a continual work of art that requires fan participation for its completion. A dot is not drawn until someone signs up for it. The portrait will take one million dots to complete - one million fans side by side. Once completed, it will go on a world tour to promote the humanitarian causes that Jackson cared about.

To get your free dot, go to: http://www.MichaelJacksonTributePortrait.com.

SOURCE The Michael Jackson Tribute Organization

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http://www.MichaelJacksonTributePortrait.com