Earth, Wind & Fire during classic performance. (Photo by Craig ONeal. Edited under Creative Commons)
Earth, Wind & Fire will be performing live at the Rose Bowl Drive-in in Pasadena on Friday, June 4, in a socially-distanced benefit concert for Race to Erase MS, a nationwide foundation dedicated to the treatment and ultimate cure of multiple sclerosis, a potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system.
Proceeds of the annual event go to fund research by the foundation’s Center Without Walls program, a selected network of the nation’s top MS research centers.
“This nationwide collaboration of physicians and scientists is on the cutting-edge of innovative research programs, working as a team on therapeutic approaches to eradicate MS,” a foundation statement said. “In addition to combating MS through research in a clinical environment, we hope to increase awareness by educating the public about this mystifying disease.”
Race to Erase MS was formerly the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis, founded by fashion designer Nancy Davis in 1993 after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In the process of learning all she could about multiple sclerosis, Davis found out that MS affects close to two million Americans primarily between the ages of 20 and 40, and three times as many women as men.
Davis organized the first Race to Erase MS event — an intimate ski getaway weekend in Aspen, Colorado – that raised over $1.3 million in funds for the Center Without Walls Program. Since then, the Race to Erase MS event has become an exciting star-studded gala, gaining the support of many key personalities in the entertainment and fashion world. Tommy Hilfiger, for example, has been a major sponsor since 1997; he has a sister living with MS.
To date, the annual Race to Erase MS event has raised over $35 million for MS research.
In June, guests at the Rose Bowl Drive-In will witness the outdoor Earth, Wind & Fire concert, which comes with a fashion show by alice + olivia, from the safety of their own vehicles. Audio will be fed through an FM radio frequency that you can listen to in your car while watching the performance and the fashion show on stage.
The event page says safety will be the utmost priority and all health and safety standards will be enforced to protect guests, talent, crew and staff.
“We look forward to celebrating with you in your car in a safe and conscientious manner,” the organizers said.
Tickets are from $1,000 for one person in one car, which includes one dinner and a gift bag, $5,000 for Gold Patron Couple – two persons in a car including two dinners and two gift bags – up to $100,000 for a Major Sponsor package, which covers 12 cars, 24 dinners and 24 gift bags, and VIP reserved viewing.
Those who simply want to help Race to Erase MS may opt to donate $25.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.driveintoerasems.org.
