American icon Gladys Knight headlines Oceana’s 5th annual Rock Under the Stars
Oceana Board Members Ted Danson, Sam Waterston, and Keith Addis gather in Los Angeles to support the organization’s conservation campaigns
Press Release Date: August 13, 2023
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:
Gillian Spolarich | email: gspolarich@oceana.org
202-467-1909
On Saturday night, Aug. 12, American icon Gladys Knight performed a private concert at the home of Keith Addis, founder of Industry Entertainment and Oceana Board President, and his wife, producer Keri Selig, to help raise funds for Oceana, the largest international organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation.
Gladys Knight performed several hits spanning her 50-year career, including “Midnight Train to Georgia,” one of the most celebrated songs of the 20th century. Guests at the fifth annual “Rock Under the Stars” event, including award-winning actors and Oceana Board Members Sam Waterston and Ted Danson, were treated to culinary delights from James Beard Award winners Suzanne Goin and Sherry Yard, and Los Angeles’ Chef of the Year Jason Neroni. Additional celebrity guests included Mary Steenburgen, Woody Harrelson, Ed Begley Jr., Tommy Chong, and Sally Pressman.
“What an incredible evening for an even more incredible cause,” Addis said. “It was an honor to host the legendary Gladys Knight and several celebrity chefs for a special night to support Oceana and its crucial campaigns to protect the oceans. Thank you to Gladys and all the guests who attended for your generosity. We left this evening more inspired than ever to keep fighting to protect and restore the world’s oceans.”
Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless addressed the crowd about how Oceana’s global campaigns are helping to restore ocean abundance and address the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
“Fighting to save the ocean is a good way to help stop climate change. Seafood is a climate-smart protein. Every time someone eats a fish filet instead of a hamburger, they save emissions worth the average daily commute in America,” Sharpless said. “And when we stop offshore oil drilling, we not only save our beaches, we keep that carbon underground. Not in the air.”
“Rock Under the Stars” is an annual private event held in support of Oceana. Previous performers include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dead & Company, Sting, Don Henley, and Jackson Browne. Since 2007, “Rock Under the Stars” and Oceana’s LA benefits have raised more than $6.5 million for Oceana’s campaigns.
This year’s event was made possible by the generous support of numerous distinguished businesses. Oceana’s exclusive watch partner, Blancpain, was the presenting partner for this year’s event. For the past 70 years, since the 1953 launch of the world’s first modern diving watch, the Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain has established deep connections with the world’s oceans and the communities dedicated to their preservation. Through its ocean exploration and conservation initiative, the Blancpain Ocean Commitment, Blancpain has supported dozens of major scientific expeditions, including two with Oceana. The two organizations work closely together to further important contributions to ocean conservation. Oceana also thanked its additional event partners City National Bank and La Crema, the official wine sponsor of the event.
Photos from the event are available here.
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 275 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.
