Hard Rock Cafe New York Charity Auction Offers Ultimate Wiseguy New Year's Eve Bash In Times Square to Support Music Education

Hard Rock Cafe New York Charity Auction Offers Ultimate Wiseguy New Year's Eve Bash In Times Square to Support Music Education

Ultra-VIP New Year's Eve party and Marquee Signage in Times Square to be listed on eBay!

A portion of the proceeds to be donated to VH1 Save The Music Foundation and the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock Cafe New York has joined forces with Steven Van Zandt (cast member of HBO's "The Sopranos" and founding member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band) to present A Wiseguy New Year's Eve In Times Square eBay Giving Works charity listing. The winning bidder will have the chance to party with Van Zandt and a handful of his friends from "The Sopranos" for an ultra-exclusive, all-inclusive VIP New Year's Eve bash. The prize includes complete access to the 800-capacity Hard Rock Cafe New York venue in Times Square for the winning bidder and his/her guests with the winning bidder's name and messaging in lights. Wiseguy hosts include Tony "Paulie Walnuts" Sirico, Frank "Phil Leotardo" Vincent, Vinnie "Big Pussy" Pastore, Vince "Johnny Sack" Curatola, Johnny "Artie Bucco" Ventimiglia and Maureen "Gabriella Dante" Van Zandt, among others. Beginning Now and ending December 27, 2006, A Wiseguy New Year's Eve In Times Square charity listing will support the effort to ensure access to a quality education that includes instrumental music in our nation's public schools, with a portion of the proceeds from all sales related to the listing being donated to VH1 Save The Music Foundation and the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation.

"We are thrilled to be part of this exciting effort," said Sean Dee, Chief Marketing Officer, Hard Rock International. "From the start, we have always been governed by a guiding philosophy - 'Love All - Serve All.' This is a perfect way for us to show our support of music education in the nation's schools, all with the help of television's greatest wiseguys."

The soiree will include an open bar from 8:30pm to 2am, hors d'oevres, a gourmet dinner, champagne toast, a VIP outdoor view of Times Square from Hard Rock's marquee and a continental breakfast upon departure. The winning bidder can further show off to the world through video messaging on the marquee, so people up and down Broadway and all around the planet will know who is throwing the ultimate party on New Year's Eve. Other items listed on eBay will include a dinner with select "Sopranos" cast members, a guest spot on the "Wiseguy Show" on Sirius Satellite Radio, signed guitars from Steven Van Zandt and others, a VIP NASCAR package, including meet-and-greets with Richard Childress Racing drivers, and a signed pair of Nancy Sinatra boots.

"What a way to end the year! We are delighted that 10% of the gross proceeds will benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, moving us closer to next year's 10th anniversary goal of bringing music education programs to one million public school students," said Paul Cothran, Executive Director, VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

Van Zandt adds: "This is the unique opportunity to support music education for kids and have a party on the most exciting night of the year, at the most exciting location on the planet."

The opportunity to win A Wiseguy New Year's Eve In Times Square bash is open to all private individuals, corporations and organizations around the world. Bidding begins at US$100,000. A portion of the proceeds will benefit VH1 Save The Music Foundation and the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation. A Wiseguy New Year's Eve In Times Square charity is being managed by Auctionwire Online Auction Agency. Bidders may visit http://www.ebay.com/hardrock for more information.

ABOUT HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL

With 124 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes, seven Hotel & Casinos (excluding those under construction) and one stand-alone Casino in 45 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally-recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award- winning website. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by The Rank Group Plc . For more information on Hard Rock, visit http://www.hardrock.com/.

ABOUT THE ROCK AND ROLL FOREVER FOUNDATION

The Rock and Roll Forever Foundation is a non-profit organization seeking to educate and promote the history and achievements of Rock and Roll music as well as other traditional and modern music forms. This includes providing scholarships, fellowships or grants to young aspiring musicians and donating or providing access to music instruments, training, recording equipment and more to those who might otherwise not have the opportunity to receive them. The Foundation also seeks to save, safeguard, archive, and collect important Rock and Roll and other musical documents, histories, or artifacts. It further seeks to help save or safeguard important Rock and Roll music sites or venues, and to raise public awareness of the historical significance of certain music sites or venues. All to help insure that the tremendous cultural and artistic benefits and achievements of Rock and Roll music are passed down to future generations. For more information, visit http://www.rockandrollforever.org/.

ABOUT VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music programs in America's public schools and raising awareness about the importance of music as a part of each child's complete education. Research shows that children who participate in instrumental music study at an early age develop critical thinking skills, team work, are more engaged in school, and are less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse. Since the VH1 Save The Music Foundation was created in 1997, it has donated $34 million worth of new musical instruments to 1,400 public schools in 80 cities, improving the lives of more than 800,000 children. For more information on VH1 Save The Music, visit http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/.

Source: Hard Rock International

CONTACT: Meredith Miesieski, Coyne PR for Hard Rock, +1-973-316-1665,
MMiesieski@coynepr.com; Diana D'Angelo, Shore Fire Media for Steven Van Zandt
or the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, +1-718-522-7171,
ddangelo@shorefire.com; Maura Wozniak, VH1 for VH1 Save The Music,
+1-212-846-7325, maura.wozniak@vh1staff.com; David Romeo, Auctionwire Online
Auction Agency, +1-416-636-8678, david@auctionwire.ca

Web site: http://www.hardrock.com/
http://www.rockandrollforever.org/
http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/
http://www.ebay.com/hardrock

-------
Profile: intent