Oceana’s 2010 SeaChange Summer Party to Welcome Special Guests Keely and Pierce Brosnan and Jeff Bridges | Oceana

Oceana’s 2010 SeaChange Summer Party to Welcome Special Guests Keely and Pierce Brosnan and Jeff Bridges

Press Release Date: August 9, 2010

Location: Laguna Beach, Ca

Contact:

Anna Baxter | email: abaxter@oceana.org
Anna Baxter

Today, international ocean conservation group Oceana announced that Keely and Pierce Brosnan and Jeff Bridges will be special guests at the 3rd annual SeaChange Summer Party. The benefit for Oceana is labeled as Orange County, California’s “must attend” event.  The SeaChange Summer Party promises donors the opportunity to help bring back the sea’s bounty, reminding them “a healthy ocean is every child’s rightful inheritance.”  This year’s event will take place on September 10th at Villa di Sogni, a private coastal home in Laguna Beach. 

“We are delighted that the Brosnans and Mr. Bridges will join us at the 2010 SeaChange Summer party,” said Valarie Whiting, Oceana Board Member and SeaChange Co-Chair along with Eve Kornyei.  “Their support for Oceana’s ocean conservation efforts makes them a natural fit for this event and will surely help generate significant funding for the preservation of marine ecosystems worldwide.”

A leading activist for environmental causes and social issues, Keely Brosnan is an award winning broadcast journalist.  She also created a weekly environment segment for ABC’s Home Show, which earned her two Genesis Awards, a Special Achievement Award at the 1991 Environmental Film Festival, and a nomination from the Environmental Media Association.  As a producer she also created and hosted Home Green Home for PBS, an eco-friendly home and garden how-to series.

Pierce Brosnan is recognized internationally as one of the most dashing and skilled dramatic actors in Hollywood today.  He has starred in numerous films including Mrs. Doubtfire, The James Bond franchise, Dante’s Peak, The Matador, Mama Mia!, and has been nominated for two Golden Globe awards.  He most recently starred in Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer and narrated the Disneynature film, Oceans.  He will next appear in Chris Columbus’ upcoming film Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief.  Mr. Brosnan is also a member of Oceana’s Ocean Council, a select group of academic, business, policy and philanthropic leaders who represent and support Oceana’s conservation programs.  

With a multi-faceted career cutting a wide swathe across all genres, Jeff Bridges is also one of Hollywood’s most successful actors.  A five-time Academy Award® nominee and Oscar® Award winner, his most recent role was in Crazy Heart for which he deservedly garnered his first Oscar®.  Other box office hits featuring Bridges include Gary Ross’ Seabiscuit, Terry Gilliam’s offbeat comedic drama The Fisher King, the multi-award-nominated The Fabulous Baker Boys, Francis Ford Coppola’s Tucker: The Man and His Dream, Blown Away, Peter Weir’s Fearless and Martin Bell’s American Heart.  Bridges will also star in the Coen Brothers’ True Grit and Disney’s upcoming film Tron:  Legacy.  Outside of film, Bridges is a talented photographer and musician. He also founded the End Hunger Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding children around the world. 

The 2010 SeaChange Summer Party will be attended by other Hollywood celebrities who will travel to Orange County to support the cause, mingle with guests and enjoy the evening’s entertainment program.  Celebrities in attendance at previous SeaChange Summer Party events include 2009 Special Guests Glenn Close and Morgan Freeman, 2008 Special Guests Harrison Ford, Sam Waterston and John Picard; Ted Danson, Jeff Goldblum, Kate Walsh, Anne Heche, James Tupper, Aaron Peirsol, Lauren Hutton, Sam Trammell, Missy Yager, Beau Bridges, Calista Flockhart, Diane Keaton, Diane Lane, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Penny Marshall.  400 people attended the 2009 SeaChange event, which raised almost $900,000. 

This year’s official media sponsor will be Coast Magazine, who will support the event through advertising, editorial features and underwriting the event’s keepsake program.  The event is expected to receive additional exposure through local and national media outlets.  Previous event coverage includes People, Hello!, OK!, Angeleno, Coast Magazine, Orange Coast Magazine, California Style and Riviera magazines; Daily Pilot, Hollywood Reporter, Extra TV, USAToday.com, AccessHollywood.com and MSNBC.com

“We expect SeaChange to be another sold-out event as we have already raised significant funds through sponsorships and ticket sales – an indication of the supportive community we live in,” continued Whiting.  “We are fortunate to have for the third year in a row Villa di Sogni as our venue.”

Villa di Sogni is a spectacular estate inspired by Italianate architecture with terraced gardens, fountains and a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.  After entering the venue guests will be free to roam the property and later enjoy a sit down dinner with presentations and a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences.  The evening will conclude with dancing under the stars.

Kiplinger Magazine has named Oceana one of the 20 most efficient and effective environmental organizations, and Charity Navigator awarded Oceana its prestigious four out of four star rating.  Less than one-quarter of the organizations evaluated by Charity Navigator have received this award. 

The SeaChange Summer Party is made possible through the generous support from various distinguished local and international businesses.  Partners and underwriters include the Harriet E. Pfleger Foundation, Cynthia & Steve Fry, La Mer, Lily & Paul Merage, The PIMCO Foundation, Harriet & Sandy Sandhu, South Coast Plaza, Valaree Wahler & Lady Lux, Tricia & Michael Berns, Deborah & Larry Bridges, Wendy & Rick Aversano, Coast Radiology, Crevier BMW, DDA Family Partners, Ermenegildo Zegna, Maralou & Jerry Harrington, LUXE by Lisa Vogel, MacGillivray Freeman Films, Dwight Manley, ROHL, Sheets & Paquette Dental Practice, Jean & Tim Weiss, Wells Fargo, Karen & Bruce Cahill, Canyon Studios, Coast Magazine, Idea Hall, Lalique, Neiman Marcus, SK+G, Trialogue Direct, Private Trade Winds, Commerce Printing and Diana Martin Gifts.

For a full list of underwriters and partners, host committee members, photos and more information about SeaChange visit www.SeaChangeSummerParty.org.  For press credentials, please contact Juliana Stein at 202-467-1906 or jstein@oceana.org