Arts & Culture Headline Article LA Charities

Deborah Gibson’s Gibson Girl Foundation presented “An Evening of Electric Youth: A Benefit to Support Arts Education For Young People”

Cash for your car

Deborah Gibson, Shannon Elizabeth

Good food, good music, and good will converged on a night to remember hosted by Deborah Gibson and The Gibson Girl Foundation on Tuesday, April 28. Hollywood’s hottest celebrities flocked to the Café La Boheme in West Hollywood for a sold-out benefit event for the Gibson Girl Foundation, a charity that awards scholarships to young performers in need. The Pop & Broadway star, Gibson herself, took the stage at the event, along with Ryan Black’s 88’s Cabaret, Jersey Boy’s John Lloyd Young, Wicked’s Eden Espinosa and Savannah Robinson and the kids of Electric Youth.

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Jersey Boy’s John Lloyd Young, Wicked’s Eden Espinosa (Photo by Bob Merrick)

In addition to the outstanding musical performances, guests enjoyed a lavish dinner and an exquisite live and silent auction including unique items from a number of favorite celebrities such as The Fray, the Jonas Brothers, New Kids on the Block, Pierce Brosnon, Donny and Marie and Paris Hilton. Among the wonderful items offered, fabulous travel packages, tickets and backstage passes to top Vegas shows and an intimate musical evening with Deborah Gibson, were especially coveted.

Vivica A. Fox, comedian Ross Mathews

Vivica A. Fox, comedian Ross Mathews (photos by Grover Yancey)

For the past twenty years, Gibson, “the Original Pop Princess”, has proven her musical prowess as a truly talented singer, songwriter, and Broadway starlet. Though she had already staked her place in the Guiness Book of World Records by the ripe age of sixteen as the youngest writer, producer and performer of a number one single, Gibson continued to impress audiences with her innovative approach to the entertainment world.

From Pop Princess to Philantropist

Deborah Gibson - From pop princess to philanthropist (photo by Grover Yancey)

Phenomenal and philanthropic, Gibson set out to pass on her expertise and cultivate musical ability in younger generations with the creation of a charity, the Gibson Girl Foundation, and a series of summer camps known as “Deborah Gibson’s Electric Youth”. The Gibson Girl Foundation raises money and distributes scholarships to aspiring young performers, enabling them to attend them to attend the Los Angeles Summer Camp of “Deborah Gibson’s Electric Youth” as well as song-writing intensives, recording boot camps, and the New York City Winter Camp of “Deborah Gibson’s Electric Youth”.

Electric Youth

Electric Youth performers. (Photo by Bob Merrick)

The Foundation provided $75,000 in scholarships to children in need in 2008 alone.

For only $25, guests were able to attend this special event and witness the extraordinary talents of the musical performers, while $100 provided guests with dinner and main floor seating as well. VIP tickets were also available for $250 and included VIP preferred seating, VIP menu selection, performance, a photo with Deborah Gibson, a VIP Gift Bag, One Hope Wine and cocktails and a private post-performance meet-and-greet with Electric Youth Performers and Celebrities attending the event.

Dick Van Patten, Deborah Gibson, Jimmy Van Patten

Dick Van Patten, Deborah Gibson, Jimmy Van Patten (photo: Grover Yancey)

Such stars included Shannon Elizabeth, Jonathan Knight, Vivica A. Fox, Nolan Gerard Funk, Samantha Droke, John Lloyd Young, Dick Van Patten, Sally Kirkland, Jimmy Van Patten, Jerry Mathers, Greg Fellows, Eden Espinosa, Bridgit Mendler (J.O.N.A.S), Zoe Myers, The Clique Girlz, Lisa FOXX, Brandon Molale, Savvy & Mandy (Radio Disney), Adam Gaynor (Matchbox 20), Brittany Curran, Chris Ashworth, Keana, Lauren Storm, Mishavonna Henson, and more.

Deborah Gibson with Jerry Mathers

Deborah Gibson with Jerry Mathers (Photo by Bob Merrick)

For more information on The Gibson Girl Foundation and “Deborah Gibson’s Electric Youth” please visit www.deborahgibsonselectricyouthcom.

About the author

Kelsey Cressman