Dinner With the Stars
Each year, Dinner With the Stars is held in conjunction with the annual Telethon. This premier, black-tie event is Variety's largest annual fundraiser and is attended by 800 guests, including the major corporate and community leaders of St. Louis. It is preceded by a VIP reception honoring the Variety Man and Woman of the Year and includes a program that honors outstanding supporters. Awards presented during the night are the Barker Award (long-term, continuous service to Variety, awarded to Allan Cohen, Michael J. Roarty, Kimmy Brauer and Steve Schankman), the Humanitarian Award (in 1999 to John Weber Sr. and in 2004 to Allan Cohen), the Sammy Davis Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award (first presented in 2001 to John Forsyth), and the Man and Woman of the Year Awards.
The Variety board president presides over the program. After the awards ceremonies, the Special Equipment Drive is held, with guests sending their pledges and donations to the stage.
The evening is concluded with a stellar performance by a headliner such as those of the past several years: Vanessa Williams, Ray Charles, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, The Righteous Brothers, Kenny Rogers, Bernadette Peters, Wynonna Judd, Faith Prince, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., along with Broadway stars Andrea McArdle, Jason Danieley, Marrin Mazzie, Brent Barrett, Sutton Foster, Melba Moore, Brian d'Arcy and Rachel York.
This year's Dinner With the Stars will feature Natalie Cole.
There are four categories of tables that may be purchased for this event: Diamond Tables (10 only) for $25,000 each, Platinum Tables for $15,000 each, Patron Tables for $7,500 each and Gold Tables for $4,000 each.
Dinner With the Stars has been chaired by Marilyn Fox for nine years and takes place in the Khorassan Room of the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. She will celebrate her 10th anniversary as chairperson at this year's gala.
The proceeds provide funding for vital medical equipment and services for local children diagnosed with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, loss of limb, autism, mental illness and learning disorders.
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