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 Legendary entertainer Grace Jones will perform for guests at the 18th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Award Viewing Party.  The gala event, which will take place March 7, 2010, at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, has brought some of the most iconic musicians to the stage over the years, but none as theatrical as the incomparable Grace Jones.

"Grace Jones is not only an amazing performer, but a dear friend and a fellow activist in the fight against HIV/AIDS," says Sir Elton John.  "Without a doubt, Grace will put on a show for our guests that will have them talking for years to come.  It is an absolute honor to have Grace as part of this evening that means so much to the Foundation."

Ms. Jones' first album, Portfolio, released in 1977, resulted in a string of dance-club hits that transformed the international club scene.  Her following albums "Fame" and "Muse" generated considerable success in the market and solidified her as a major recording artist.  Jones later adapted to the emerging New Wave music to create a different style for herself. This resulted in the acclaimed albums "Warm Leatherette", "Nightclubbing" and "Living My Life."

Equally known for her roles in the fashion, art and film communities, Jones has established a presence that has stood the test of time.  Born in Jamaica and raised in Syracuse, New York, she began her career as a successful high-fashion model. Starring roles followed in such films as the James Bond blockbuster "A View to a Kill", "Conan the Destroyer" with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the vampire thriller "Vamp."  Jones took the art world by storm when she became the muse to famed artists Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, resulting in an iconic series of portraits by Warhol and Haring's famous series of body paintings. With her dramatic visual makeover created in partnership with Jean-Paul Goode, Jones starred in the concert special "A One Man Show" and created a persona that has intrigued fans and established her as an international entertainment icon.

Follow the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Facebook:  http://apps.facebook.com/causes/5321

SOURCE Elton John AIDS Foundation

The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation announced today that Sheryl Crow, Common and Ray LaMontagne will perform at the 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The annual holiday event will be streamed live at www.thenationaltree.org on Dec. 3rd at 5:00 EST/2:00 PST, and will be broadcast nationwide beginning Dec. 4th, on public broadcasting stations in partnership with WETA, Washington, D.C.'s flagship public broadcasting station (check local listings).

Sheryl Crow is a nine-time Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum singer-song writer. Her many other honors include three American Music Awards, a People's Choice Award, and a spot on VH1's "100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll."

Common is a Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum selling recording artist who has collaborated with hip-hop producers Kanye West, Will.i.am, Pharell and many more. Common has also built a career as an entrepreneur, film actor and author of children's books.

Ray LaMontagne is a singer and songwriter, whose third and most recent album, "Gossip in the Grain" debuted at number three on the Billboard Charts. Rolling Stone magazine has described his voice as "full of the warm yearning of a young Van Morrison."

Additional performers will be announced next week.

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is presented by the National Park Foundation and National Park Service. Underwriters Laboratories is the premier sponsor of the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 2009. Alex Coletti Productions will produce the ceremony. Additional support comes from General Electric, Guest Services Inc., Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Washington, D.C., Hudler Carolina Tree Farms, Santa's Best, the W Hotel Washington, and the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.

For more information visit www.thenationaltree.org.

For Broadcast Inquiries please contact Suzanne Masri, WETA, (703) 998-2686 smasri@weta.org

SOURCE National Park Foundation