In recognition
of internationally renowned singer, painter and civic leader Tony Bennett's
contributions to San Francisco, the City will honor him with several tributes
celebrating his 90th birthday. The festivities will begin with a free, public
dedication and unveiling of the 8-foot-tall bronze statue of Mr. Bennett atop
Nob Hill on the lawn of Fairmont San Francisco on Friday, August 19 at noon;
festivities start at 11:30 a.m. Friday evening, the World Champion San Francisco
Giants will pay tribute to the legend with "Tony Bennett Night" as
they take on the New York Mets. The weekend's events culminate on Saturday,
August 20 with a benefit dinner and concert in Fairmont San Francisco's famous
Venetian Room where he first performed I Left My Heart in San Francisco in
public. Proceeds from the evening will support The Tony Bennett Fund for
Emergency Pediatric Care at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and the
San Francisco Special Events Committee. For more information about the free,
public dedication and unveiling visit the official Facebook event page at
www.facebook.com/events/681318672018196/. For tickets and details about the
benefit dinner and concert call (415) 554-5257.
"Tony Bennett and San Francisco are inseparable. A statue of a great American performing
artist usually happens in the birthplace of the artist. Throughout the world,
people associate San Francisco as being Tony Bennett's home for one reason and
one reason only - his signature song I Left My Heart in San Francisco. This
8-foot-tall statue on the greens of Fairmont San Francisco says to the world:
Tony Bennett is home," proclaimed former Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr.
The brief program and festivities proceeding the public
dedication and unveiling will feature Tony Bennett, Mayor Edwin M. Lee, former
Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr., San Francisco Giants' CEO Larry Baer, Regional Vice
President & General Manager of Fairmont San Francisco, Paul Tormey, Chief
of Protocol, City and County of San Francisco and State of California,
Charlotte Mailliard Shultz, San Francisco Boys Chorus, San Francisco Girls
Chorus and SFJAZZ High School All Stars Combo.
"On behalf of Mayor Ed Lee and the San Francisco
Special Events Committee, I am proud to be a part of the incredible events
honoring the City and my friend, the incomparable Tony Bennett!" said
California and San Francisco Chief of Protocol Charlotte Shultz. Adding, "We look forward to seeing many
of Tony's fans from all over the Bay Area at the dedication."
Bay Area sculptor Bruce Wolfe began work on the 8-foot-tall
bronze statue at the beginning of the year and is currently putting the
finishing touches on the sculpture in his studio in Piedmont, California. Mr.
Wolfe has also created statues of Willie L. Brown, Jr., George P. Shultz, Steve
Silver and Harvey Milk. The statue was funded by private contributions to the
San Francisco Special Events Committee.
"Tony Bennett has created a beautiful harmony with the
Bay Area and our landmark hotel over the years. Fairmont San Francisco is
honored to serve as the "home" for this spectacular statue that
celebrates his amazing relationship with this city and our iconic property,"
said Paul Tormey, Regional Vice President & General Manager of Fairmont San
Francisco.
The Tony Bennett Day celebration on Friday, August 19th will
continue that evening at AT&T Park when the San Francisco Giants take on
the New York Mets. The Giants will honor
Tony in a pre-game ceremony and throughout the game. Tony is also to perform
"I Left My Heart in San Francisco" for the fans.
In December 1961, Mr. Bennett first sang I Left My Heart in
San Francisco in the Venetian Room at the Fairmont Room. The song has gone on
to become one of the City by the Bay's official anthems. The benefit on
Saturday, August 20 begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by
a lavish dinner at 7:30 p.m. by Fairmont San Francisco's renowned culinary
team. The evening culminates with a concert featuring Mr. Bennett and his
orchestra and benefits The Tony Bennett Fund for Emergency Pediatric Care at
Zuckerberg San Francisco General [ZSFG] and the San Francisco Special Events
Committee.
Proceeds from the evening will establish The Tony Bennett
Fund for Emergency Pediatric Care at ZSFG and will help make every child's
emergency care experience uniquely caring, calm and safe. 42,000 children
receive care at ZSFG clinics every year and 12,000 come through the Emergency
Department. The fund will provide resources for medical professionals to best
comfort and care for children when they need it most. A plaque in honor of the
fund will be prominently displayed in the Pediatric Playroom on the 2nd floor
of the recently opened Zuckerberg San Francisco General. This room is an
important component of the 2nd floor pediatrics unit and is designed to reduce
the stress a child can feel in a hospital environment. Children who are well
enough can engage in therapeutic play activity with toys and games as well as
interact with siblings or other patients.
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