Program

Featuring

Star of Top Gun, Kelly McGillis

We are thrilled to announce that Kelly McGillis will be joining us on June 12 at the HRC Columbus Gala. Known best for her role as Charlie in Tony Scott's Top Gun opposite Tom Cruise, Kelly is a star of stage and screen. Her most recent projects include a recurring role in the Showtime hit The L Word, the role of "Regina" in the California revival of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes and the UK tour of Terrence McNally’s Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. She recently completed filming the indie Stake Land. Kelly has spent most of the past decade undertaking one of her most demanding roles – being a mother and raising her two daughters, Kelsey and Sonora.

Also Featuring

HRC National Field Director
Marty Rouse

As National Field Director, Marty Rouse is tasked with mobilizing the Human Rights Campaign’s over 750,000 members and supporters to effect change at the federal, state, and local level. Before joining HRC, Rouse headed MassEquality, a coalition of organizations dedicated to defending marriage equality in Massachusetts. Rouse’s direction helped build MassEquality into one of the state’s largest and most powerful political groups – a national model that combined grassroots organizing with strategic electoral focus.
Rouse’s deep political and field experience also includes his work in Vermont to protect the pro-civil unions majority in the state Senate in 2000. He also served in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration. Rouse and his civil union partner Scott Sherman are proud parents of their two sons Sasha and David.

Entertainment by

Mantryx

It was by a twist of fate that Aaron Bonventre and Tad Emptage came together to form MANTRYX. After a chance meeting and long solo careers, the two decided to combine the finest aspects of their individual performance histories into a unique duo aerial act. With the strength and agility gained in his career as a no-holds-barred submission grappling wrestler, and the fearlessness that led him to become a nationally ranked Jiu-Jitsu champion, Aaron was quick to become the flyer in the partnership. Tad’s obsessive mountain climbing and international wilderness exploration, coupled with 17 years as a stage and screen performer in over 70 countries, provided the determination, courage, and endurance he relies on daily as the aerial base. In addition to their performances for major corporate, private, and theatrical events, both Aaron and Tad have a heart and passion for missions. Aaron spent his years as a personal trainer dedicated to helping HIV/AIDS and cancer patients focus on uncompromised living and health through the maintenance of their musculature and body balance. Tad volunteered on medical, educational, and disaster relief missions abroad before starting United We Sing; an organization that takes live performance to children and adults with limited access to the arts. The men of MANTRYX have been blessed to share laughter, silliness, and the spectacle of circus arts at hospitals, orphanages, and Veteran’s homes. At current, MANTRYX is one of only two duo male aerial acts on the East Coast and the only male duo in the world to perform on aerial chains! Since their debut at SPLASH, MANTRYX is proud to have become NYC’s signature aerialists. You can catch them performing nightly at THE BOX in the East village and in venues large and small across the country and throughout the world.

TIFFANY to Perform!

Pop icon, Tiffany, has been stirring things up again, at the top of the charts with her hot feel good dance smash called “Higher,” which features an amazing mix by famed remixed Josh Harris. She is currently on tour and recently released a new dance song called “Just Another Day” (which were produced by Dave Aude of Annie Lennox fame) which zoomed up the Billboard Dance charts. February 09 finds Tiffany on the dance charts with a recent hit song called “Dust Off and Dance.” Needless to say Tiffany, continues to tour non-stop.

She also just filmed a starring role in an independent movie, stars in a new nationwide commercial with Meatloaf, guest starred on the CBS TV show “HowI Met Your Mother.” She has also just signed on to star in 2 new reality shows (one is for CMT) filming in June and early July 2009.

The "I Think We’re Alone Now” Girl recently finished up a starring "role” in VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club where she ended up losing 30 pounds and got down to her Playboy weight. Needless to say it gathered her an avalanche of press from the cover of "In Touch” Magazine, radio to television show like the Tyra Banks show, Entertainment Tonight and the Insider TV shows.

Her new CD, "Just Me," (which was recently released) on 10 Spot Records, (Universal Distribution) delivers a blend of pop and rock in a singer-songwriter style with a little country thrown into the mix. The first single and video from the album is the uptempo smash hit called "Feels Like Love."

Tiffany began her career at the age of 13 when she signed her first recording contract with MCA. The self-titled debut album was released in 1987 and eventually went quadruple platinum. The innovative "Mall Tour" that followed proved to be the signature for Tiffany’s early career and was very effective in targeting her core audience of young teens making Tiffany the youngest female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard charts.

Tiffany produced three top ten hits, two of which were national and international #1 pop singles "Could’ve Been" and the celebrated "I Think We’re Alone Now." The soon-to-be teen pop phenomenon, New Kids on the Block, got their big break as the opening act for her world tour. Tiffany released her second album, Hold An Old Friend’s Hand, which went double platinum and featured the top ten hit "All This Time."

In addition to her ground breaking successful music career, Tiffany had the opportunity to be the voice of Judy Jetson in the feature version of the popular cartoon series, The Jetsons.

During the ‘90s, Tiffany released two more albums, New Inside and Dreams Never Die (released exclusively in Asia). To start off the new Millennium, she introduced what became known as her "comeback" album, The Color of Silence with stellar critical reviews including from Billboard: "The Color of Silence is one of the finest pop albums of 2000."

In 2005 she independently released the club sensation, Dust Off and Dance, which spanned several dance-club hit’s (namely, Be With You Tonight and Fly) that her fans demand she perform in her "club show".

Tiffany makes her home in Nashville (and owns a home in LA as well) with her husband of three years, her son Elijah, three dogs, two turtles and five fish. She enjoys cooking and preparing fine cuisine for her friends and family.

When she’s not busy with her rigorous workout routine, she’s a self-admitted designer shopaholic. Not bad for a local LA girl who just wanted to sing and went on to sell 16 million albums……

Program Book