Additional Stars Sign On for 11th Annual Celebration of Dreams Gala Honoring Nigel Lythgoe, Katy Perry and the Families of Dream Foundation

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nigel Lythgoe, Katy Perry and the families of Dream Foundation will be the honorees at the 11th Annual Celebration of Dreams Gala, occurring Friday, November 16, 2012 at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara. Dream Foundation is proud to announce additions to the already star-studded event. The Tenors, Adam Shankman, Casey Abrams, Cat Cora and DJ Mia Moretti will now lend their talents as part of the show.

“I loved the idea our Chairs presented to forego fashion this year and focus on compassion”

Sure to be a high note of the evening is The Tenors, formerly known as The Canadian Tenors. Victor Micallef, Clifton Murray, Remigio Pereira and Fraser Walters deftly blend their operatic voices with classical and contemporary music. The Tenors gave a gold medal performance when they sang “I Believe” at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. The international artists hail from Canada and sing in English, French, Italian and Spanish.

Multi-talented Adam Shankman is joining the cause in support of his colleague, Nigel Lythgoe. The writer, director, dancer and choreographer is known for his judging and choreography on So You Think You Can Dance. His endless list of accomplishments includes directing the films Hairspray, Rock of Ages, and The Wedding Planner.

Standout American Idol season 10 finalist, Casey Abrams, will take the stage as well. Casey has a distinctively original voice and musical ability. The 21-year-old can play a staggering 11 musical instruments by ear and was classically trained on the stand up bass. His self-titled debut album was released June 26, 2012 via Concord Music Group.

Bacara Executive Chef, David Reardon is collaborating with celebrity chef, Cat Cora, on the evening’s menu. Cora made television history in 2005 as the first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” Her relationship with Dream Foundation includes participating in a dream for a fan and – on a more personal note – having been the daughter of a dream recipient. In addition to lending her culinary touch, Cora will also provide a highly coveted package to the evening’s live auction.

Internationally known DJ, Mia Moretti, will host the after party at Bacara’s Miró restaurant. Mia has opened for Janet Jackson at the Liaisons au Louvre Benefit, rung in the New Year in Las Vegas with Stevie Wonder and become a favorite of designers at events like Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Mia has been profiled in The New York Times and Paper, among others. She has garnered a Billboard Dance Top 10 for her remix work (including tracks for dance-floor divas Katy Perry, Robyn and Rye Rye).

As part of the event, special surprise presenters will acknowledge the compassionate care and philanthropic service Nigel Lythgoe and Katy Perry impart on behalf of the families served by Dream Foundation – noting how each delves beyond their status to uplift and nurture the dreams of others. Lythgoe and Perry will be on hand. They will also be honored for their dedication and commitment to a multitude of other nonprofit organizations and humanitarian causes close to their hearts. Sharing the honor will be the families of Dream Foundation.

“I loved the idea our Chairs presented to forego fashion this year and focus on compassion,” says Dream Foundation Founder/President, Thomas Rollerson. “Our dream recipients and their families are our primary honorees of the night. But without the support of advocates like Nigel and Katy, we simply would not have the resources to touch their lives, to serve their final dreams. Nigel and Katy live by example, embodying a message of being true to your dreams and compassionate to mankind.”

Lythgoe’s relationship with Dream Foundation is extensive. For the past six years, he has assisted with dreams involving acknowledgement by a personal hero – giving dream recipients the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see an idol face-to-face and ensure nothing goes unsaid. He has also been essential in facilitating talent for many fundraising events via his affiliations with American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. Lythgoe’s support has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dream Foundation.

Lythgoe has also worked to provide access to the arts and school enrichment programs through various organizations such as the Dizzy Feet Foundation, the Music Center, the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture Board of Visitors, and LA’s BEST.

Known to have persevered amid adversity to establish her signature as a singer/songwriter, Santa Barbara native, Katy Perry, encourages a similar passion in others. She gives selflessly through philanthropic relationships with organizations such as Make-a-Wish Foundation, American Red Cross, Children’s Health Fund, Generosity Water, The Humane Society of the United States and MusiCares.

As part of her participation in Celebration of Dreams, Perry will help bring awareness to the importance of lending a hand to dreams that involve children who are facing the impending loss of a parent.

Event chairs are longtime supporters, Jelinda DeVorzon, Mireille Noone, and Bui Simon. Current sponsors include CKE Restaurants, Inc.; Genentech; Lady Ridley-Tree; Herb & Bui Simon; and Colleen & Michael Taylor. Live Auction sponsors include World Odyssey, Ohana Real Estate Investors, Montage, Bacara Resort & Spa, and Crystal Cruises and Strictly Vacations. At this time, tickets to the gala are available through sponsorship only.

The Celebration of Dreams Gala is imperative to Dream Foundation’s existence. The event generates nearly one-third of the foundation’s entire operating budget, allowing for the fulfillment of thousands of final dreams. Dream Foundation is currently enjoying unprecedented growth in all areas of its service, most importantly – in the dream program department. In 2011, overall dreams served were up 28 percent over 2010. The foundation anticipates serving more than 2,500 final dreams this year.

ABOUT DREAM FOUNDATION

The mission of Dream Foundation is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families facing a life-threatening illness by fulfilling a heart's final wish.

The first and largest national wish-granting organization for adults, Dream Foundation enhances the quality of life for individuals and their families battling life-threatening illness. Dream recipients are those individuals who have been given a year or less life expectancy. Dreams range from basic need items, like a working stove, to bedside reunions and meaningful experiences with children and loved ones.

Founded in 1994, Dream Foundation serves more than 2,500 dreams each year and relies on a network of volunteers, sponsors and individual donors. For more information, visit www.dreamfoundation.org or call (805) 564-2131.