Andre Agassi – From Tennis to the Red Violion

hollywoodbeat

Hollywood Beat

Andre Agassi – From Tennis to the Red Violion

Tennis legend Andre Agassi and his hard-hitting spouse, Steffi Graf were on hand to witness the performance of the world’s most famous instrument – the Red Mendelsohn Stradivarius Violin, crafted in 1720, that is said to have inspired the Academy Award winning film, The Red Violin.

Virtuoso performer, Elizabeth Pitcairn has been playing the violin since she was 3 years old, and her grandfather purchased the famed instrument for her 16th birthday for $1.7 million at auction at Christie’s London.

We were privileged to hear her magnificent performance during an intimate event to support the UCLA Division of Digestive Diseases They are   the world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and research at combating deadly disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract.

The serene Japanese Gardens at the Beverly Hills estate of Paula Kent Meehan (who co-founded Redkin hair products) was the perfect setting; and the perfect co-hosts were philanthropists Barbara Davis and Candy Spelling.

Agassi spoke at length about his own Foundation for Education that transforms state legislation, and advocates nationally for policies to improve public education.  He has built a charter school in Las Vegas, and raised $150 million dollars to benefit the mission.

Among the honored guests enjoying an amazing array of Asian hors d’oeuvres were Dr. Gary Gitnick, chief of Digestive Diseases at UCLA, Dr. Eric Esralian and gorgeous Sela Ward (CSI-NY) who is quite the benefactor herself.  She established Sela’s Hope Village Foundation for abused and neglected children in her hometown of Meridian, Mississippi.

And you thought she was just another pretty face!

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Tennis Legend Andre Agassi & is wife, Stefi Graf

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Three Hostesses of the event – Mrs. Barbara Davis, Paula Kent Meehan & Candy Spelling

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Elizabeth Pitcairn playing the famed Red Violin


As a television personality, guest speaker, newspaper reporter and columnist and one of the social arbiters of Los Angeles, Marci Weiner has touched every aspect of entertainment journalism. She has appeared as guest reporter on TV shows including Joan Rivers shows, Eye on LA, and the USA Network. In addition, she has hosted her own segments on Soap Talk, Hollywood Style and Hotline after Dark. You may contact Marci for info and invitations at [email protected]

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