Ed Sheeran to Perform at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 22nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party

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Feb 04, 2014, 08:00 ET

Gala event to be held March 2 at West Hollywood Park

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) announced today that it has selected British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran to perform at this year's Academy Awards Viewing Party to be held on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at West Hollywood Park. This annual gala, sponsored by Chopard, Neuro Drinks and Wells Fargo, is the largest fund-raising event in Hollywood on Oscar night and has raised nearly $40 million to support the Foundation's mission to achieve an AIDS-free generation.

"I am absolutely delighted to welcome Ed Sheeran to EJAF's Academy Awards Viewing Party," said Founder Sir Elton John. "I've been following his work closely ever since I heard his independent EP, 'No. 5 Collaborations Project.' He's an amazing artist, and I know our guests will be thrilled by his performance."

Following a handful of independent EP releases, Sheeran's 2011 major label debut "+" went platinum six times with nearly two million in sales, debuted at #1 in the Official UK Charts upon release and reclaimed the #1 title at the turn of 2012. This, and the 2.8 million single sales (four in the Top 10), meant Ed had the highest opening sales for a debut male solo artist in the UK ever. In 2013, Sheeran joined Taylor Swift on her 70 date US tour and was featured in her single "Everything Has Changed." Sheeran's 2013 hit "I See Fire" was featured in the closing credits of Peter Jackson's hit movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. In the first week of January 2014, Sheeran announced his first UK headline tour since 2012, including four O2 Arena dates, and confirmed that he is adding the finishing touches to his next album.

"I'm thrilled to have been invited to perform at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar-night party," said Sheeran. "HIV/AIDS is a huge concern for all young people, and I'm delighted to do my part to raise funds for Elton's vision of a world without AIDS."

In addition to Sheeran's performance, guests can look forward to an evening of fun that includes a dinner prepared by internationally renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay, a live auction, and dance tunes spun by DJ Johnny Dynell. The event will play host to a myriad of Hollywood top names, many of whom are committed supporters of the Foundation's work to provide services, including direct treatment and care for people living with HIV/AIDS in marginalized communities. Among the individuals who will attend the celebration are the 2014 Event Chairs, including Bill and Tani Austin, Johnny and Edwina Barbis, Joseph W. Blount, Jim Carrey, Chris Colfer, John Demsey, Judi Dench, Greg Gorman, Tim Hanlon and Anthony Klatt, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Diana Jenkins, Quincy Jones, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, Heidi Klum, Ryan Kwanten, Fred Latsko, Shelley Lazar, Sandra Lee, Jared Leto, Andra Liemandt, Eric and Janet McCormack, Joseph A. McMillan, Jr., Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer, Katy Perry, Tyler Perry, Pablo and Nathalie Salame, Caroline Scheufele, Bryan Singer, Sharon Stone, Steve Tisch, Steven Tyler, and John Waters.

Audi and MAC Viva Glam are the evening's Co-Sponsors. The Foundation is especially grateful to the City of West Hollywood for its continued collaboration with EJAF. American Airlines is EJAF's official sponsoring airline.

ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION – At EJAF, we believe that AIDS can be beaten. We act on that belief by raising funds for effective programs and policies, and also by speaking out with honesty and compassion about the realities of people's lives. Sir Elton John created EJAF over twenty years ago, first in the United States in 1992 and then in the United Kingdom in 1993. Through hard work and with the help of our network of kind, amazing, creative, and generous friends and supporters, the two foundations together have raised more than $300 million over the past two decades to combat stigma, prevent infections, provide treatment and services, and motivate governments to end AIDS. The U.S. foundation focuses its efforts on programs in the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean, while the U.K. foundation funds HIV-related work in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Join us in speaking out, taking action, and contributing to our efforts to achieve a world without AIDS. For more information, please visit www.ejaf.org.

CHOPARD – Passion for excellence: Louis-Ulysse Chopard founded his own workshop in 1860 in Sonvillier, the Swiss Jura. Since 1963 Chopard has been owned by the Scheufele family and its headquarters are located in Geneva. Internationally renowned for its watch and jewellery creations, the Group today employs 1950 people worldwide. It is independent and vertically very integrated, controlling the entire process from design to distribution through 1515 points of sale and 145 dedicated boutiques. Over 30 different crafts are practiced across 4 manufacturing sites with a strong emphasis on in-house training. Chopard has built its reputation on iconic collections such as "Happy Diamonds," "Happy Sport" and "Mille Miglia." The firm is also highly recognized for its High Jewelry creations and fine watch making and manufacturing expertise, expressed in the L.U.C collection. According to two of its fundamental values, respect and social responsibility, Chopard is strongly committed to various philanthropic organizations. Long-term partnerships tie the company to the Jose Carreras International Leukemia Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Last but not least, Chopard is a faithful partner of the Cannes International Film Festival and legendary classic car events, such as the Mille Miglia in Italy and the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. For more information, please visit: us.chopard.com.

NEURO DRINKS – neuro drinks is a line of great tasting drinks with a purpose—to enhance your daily life. The company was founded in 2007 by Diana Jenkins and each neuro drink has a carefully crafted blend of healthy vitamins and minerals that provide a specific benefit. Sourced from the best ingredients from around the world, the neuro product line includes neuro SONIC, the drink that provides sustained energy, neuro BLISS, the drink that reduces stress; neuro SLEEP, the drink that helps you get a great night's sleep; and neuro DAILY, the drink that supports a healthy immune system. Each neuro has only 35 calories, contains no artificial flavors or colors, and has a fully recyclable bottle. neuro is available at retailers nationwide. For more information, please visit: www.drinkneuro.com.

WELLS FARGO – Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.5 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, and the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in more than 35 countries to support the bank's customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than 270,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on Fortune's 2013 rankings of America's largest corporations. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy all our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at blogs.wellsfargo.com

AMERICAN AIRLINES –American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL) is the holding company for American Airlines and US Airways. Together with American Eagle and US Airways Express, the airlines operate an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to 339 destinations in 54 countries from its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York , Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. The American Airlines AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles programs allow members to earn and redeem miles for travel and everyday purchases as well as flight upgrades, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays and other retail products. American is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, whose members and members-elect serve 981 destinations with 14,244 daily flights to 151 countries . Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines, and follow US Airways on Twitter @USAirways and at Facebook.com/USAirways.