STING TO HEADLINE THE DUKE ELLINGTON SCHOOL OF ARTS ANNUAL PERFORMANCE SERIES

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts is pleased to announce that Sting will headline the seventh annual Performance Series of Legends benefit concert on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 8:00 pm at the Music Center at Strathmore, joined by special guest Paul Simon plus an additional surprise performer.

This concert is the latest installment of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts' Performance Series of Legends that has previously featured Dave Chappelle, Denyce Graves, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Smokey Robinson and Patti Labelle. Led by Founder Peggy Cooper Cafritz and Head of School, Rory Pullens, The Duke Ellington School of the Arts has taken an innovative, entrepreneurial approach to fundraising in order to support its dual arts and academic curriculum.

"We are absolutely thrilled that Sting has offered his resources and talents to our school. His contribution through this performance series not only gives our students inspiration and valuable exposure, but provides a source of revenue that enables us to continue the important mission of providing arts education excellence to deserving students who wouldn't otherwise have this opportunity," states Rory Pullens, Head of School and CEO of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Individual ticket prices are between $250 and $750. VIP tickets are $1,000 each and will include access to a private reception prior to the concert. Sponsorship levels range from $5,000-$100,000 and are available through The Ellington Fund at 202-333-2555 or info@ellingtonarts.org. Please visit www.ellingtonschool.org for further details or to learn more about the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Since its inception in 1974, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts has upheld its mission of providing an exemplary arts and academic education to talented youth who may not otherwise have that opportunity. The Duke Ellington School of the Arts Project is an independently operated public school in partnership with the D.C. Public Schools, George Washington University, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Ellington Fund. At Ellington, a college preparatory, arts focused high school; students specialize in dance, literary media and communications, museum studies, instrumental and vocal music, theatre, technical design and production, and visual arts. We enter this 40th anniversary year with a graduation rate of 99% and a college acceptance rate of 95%. Ellington is proof of what it means to successfully educate young people for the 21st century -- in and through the arts.

Composer, singer, author, actor, and activist, Sting is one of music's most renowned and distinctive artists. Throughout his enduring career, he has earned 16 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, three Oscar nominations, and is a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His latest album, entitled The Last Ship, is inspired by the story of his forthcoming play of the same name and draws upon his memories of the shipbuilding community of Wallsend in the North East of England where he was born and raised. The play, with music and lyrics by Sting and book by John Logan and Brian Yorkey, will premiere in Chicago in June 2014, followed by a Broadway debut in the fall. Directed by Joe Mantello and produced by Jeffrey Seller and Kathryn Schenker, "The Last Ship" is set against the demise of the local Wallsend shipbuilding industry and tells the story of a group of unemployed shipyard workers who are inspired to take back their shipyard and build one last ship -- not for their former employer, not for the government, but for their own pride and humanity. Next month, Sting and Paul Simon will embark on a North American tour, playing On Stage Together, in addition to solo performances with their respective bands. For more information, please visit www.sting.com.