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Celebrity guests Tom Petty, Sharon Stone, CHER, Barbra Streisand, Penny Marshall, Bob Dylan, Barry Manilow, Merv Griffin, and artist Billy Al Bengston have accepted invitations to attend Art for AIDS III, a benefit for AIDS Services Foundation Orange County and Laguna Art Museum. Set for Saturday, February 7, 2004, the event has fast become the premiere gala in Orange County. This year's Art for AIDS will allow guests to choose from three party options, all of which will be crowned by a live concert by rock legend Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. The concert will be dedicated to the memory of Stephen Cy Costick, brother of Petty's wife Dana, who died of the disease in 1993. Art for AIDS III: The Concert for Stephen, will take place at the spectacular St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa.

In addition to this year's parties and concert, an auction of artworks and donated celebrity items will be held. Last year's auction items included a Tom Petty -autographed Fender guitar, a pair of Elizabeth's Taylor's shoes, and a fabulous Clinique Ergonique spa package.

Returning event chairs-LAM trustee Jack Kenefick, Founding Director of the American Foundation for AIDS Research, Arnold Klein M.D., and Founding President of ASF Al Roberts-in a joint statement, thanked Tom Petty and all of the celebrity guests, promising yet another memorable evening. "ART for AIDS III, thanks to the kindness of Tom Petty and our celebrity guests, will be an amazing evening, one not to be missed."

Before the concert, guests have several party options to choose from:

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The Private Dinner Party
At the Private Dinner Party guests will dine and mingle with the celebrities in the exclusive St. Regis Club 19 starting with cocktails and followed by dinner served by Mark's Catering. Additionally, each attendee will receive a beautiful work created especially for this event by celebrity artist Billy Al Bengston. Afterwards, guests will be escorted to the Pacific Ballroom for the remainder of the evening's festivities. Seats are $2,500 per person.

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The Ballroom Dinner Party
Guests will dine in the St. Regis Monarch Ballroom beginning with cocktails and followed by a buffet dinner provided by six of Orange County's finest restaurants. Before and after dinner guests can bid on silent auction items in the Pacific Ballroom Rotunda. Table prices range from $1,500 - $10,000 and include a wide variety of benefits. A limited number of single dinner seats are also available at $375 per person.

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The Cocktail Party
Starting at 8:00 p.m., guests can enjoy cocktails and mingle with friends in the St. Regis Pacific Ballroom Rotunda before the concert. The silent auction will also be open for bidding. The cocktail party and seats at the concert cost $235 per person.

After the parties, all guests will be seated in the St. Regis Pacific Ballroom for the 9:00 p.m. live auction and program with celebrity guests followed by the live performance of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: The Concert for Stephen.

Since 2002, Art for AIDS has raised nearly a half million dollars to sustain the important work performed by co-organizers Laguna Art Museum and AIDS Service Foundation Orange County. For more information about Art for AIDS III or to purchase seats please call Mary Barnes at Laguna Art Museum (949) 494-8971, ext. 207 or visit the official website ASF.