Name: BarryNet Briefs
Date/Time: 5/2/2020 5:31 PM
Subject: Richard Weitz's Pandemic Parties Surpass $1M Milestone

"Richard Weitz's Pandemic Parties Surpass $1M Milestone With R&B Legends, Atlanta Mayor" by Chris Gardner
The Hollywood Reporter, 02 May 2020

What started simply, and privately, as a fun way to connect while celebrating a 17-year-old’s birthday five weeks ago has grown into a virtual fundraising phenomenon that crossed the $1 million mark Friday night during a concert event that featured the mayor of Atlanta, R&B superstars and Hollywood power players teaming up to raise money to support COVID-19 relief efforts. Anchored, promoted and hosted by WME partner Richard Weitz with daughter Demi from their Beverly Hills home, the pandemic concert series shifted focus to spotlight the work of United Way Worldwide in helping residents in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, New Orleans and Philadelphia.

Well over $250,000 was raised during the four-plus hour event, funds that will be distributed to provide food assistance, education resources for kids, preventative healthcare, and financial support for families in need. Tonight’s showing followed a series of events over the past four weeks that featured more than 100 top artists showing off their talents to the tune of $850,000 for previous beneficiaries the Saban Community Clinic, Cedars-Sinai Hospital, United Way L.A. and New York City Health + Hospitals.

Friday’s event started at 6 p.m. with remarks from Richard and Demi, both wearing United Way t-shirts with the slogan “Live United,” as they provided an update on the progress thus far. "I don’t think I’ve ever felt my heart beating so fast," Demi said. "I want to start by saying thank you everyone. It’s been overwhelming. I’m so grateful and so happy for each and every one [who has donated]. I didn’t even think we’d get to $10,000."

Richard and Demi's pandemic parties started in mid-March when Richard tested out a virtual birthday party for Demi when most of the world had just started isolating under safe-at-home mandates. He booked his favorite Windy City piano man, Dario Giraldo of the Chicago’s Redhead Piano Bar, to entertain an intimate group but after Demi and friends got restless from the nostalgic jams, Weitz expanded the invite list to friends and Hollywood colleagues. It was an instant hit and since then, he’s hosted under a dozen events with big-name musical acts logging in to perform their hits while a select roster of invitees look on from their respective homes. "I wanted people to have a good time," Weitz previously told The Hollywood Reporter of why he started the gatherings. "It’s like comfort food - songs and artists that people have literally grown up with that make everyone happy and bring joy in this difficult time."

The money kept pouring in past a million Friday night. Soul legend Jeffrey Osborne kicked off the night, and his presence at tonight’s event carried significant meaning for Osborne, he said, as he was still grieving the loss of both his manager and another friend, who died at Vanderbilt Hospital. "It’s hitting home for me now, and I really love that you’re doing something"... Clive Davis moved to speak early on, saying how he’d been watching the concert series since the beginning. Like such industry titans as Bob Iger, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Dana Walden and Jennifer Salke, Davis has been a constant face on the Zoom screen while watching from Palm Springs where he’s been waiting out the pandemic. "To see you reach these figures is [astonishing]," said Davis. He then singled out artists he’s helped deliver like Barry Gibb, Barry Manilow and Johnny Mathis, the latter two who appeared during a special April 25 edition of the series which featured singers, legends and Broadway stars raising money for New York City Health + Hospitals.

Performers last weekend included Josh Groban, Josh Gad and Nikki M. James, Marcus Mumford, Barry Manilow (“When the Good Times Come Again” and a medley of five of his greatest hits including “Copacabana,” “Can’t Smile Without You” and "I Write the Songs"), Teddy Swims, Jessie Mueller, Adrienne Warren, Ramin Karimloo, Samantha Barks, Lauren Patten, Andy Karl and Orfeh, Brenock O’Connor, Ephraim Sykes , Erika Henningsen, Kyle Selig and the “Singing Surgeon” Dr. Elvis Francois. Hamilton was well represented by Leslie Odom and Christopher Jackson. Broadway star Keala Settle also delivered the chills when she dedicated “I’m Gone” from Hands on a Hard Body to Nick Cordero, who is currently battling COVID-19 while in an induced coma at Cedars-Sinai.

Friday night (5/1): Davis also turned his attention to Bottoms and Atlanta when he said that he’s spent considerable time there with his artists like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick or working with producers like Dallas Austin, L.A. Reid and Babyface. “To see your heroic stand what you’re doing,” he said to the Mayor, “I want you to know we’re extremely proud of you” ... Davis then introduced Fantasia, saying that she follows in the “great tradition of Aretha and Whitney and I’m so grateful you joined us here tonight with your beautiful, beautiful voice.” Other highlights included Al B. Sure, Sheila E.’s medley of the Prince-penned "Glamorous Life" and "A Love Bizarre", Amos Lee’s soulful selection of songs on the piano, guitar and acapella, Jac Ross, Michael Franti, [the] Waldens, [and] Johnny Gill. The night stretched past 10 p.m. and Richard welcomed back Osborne to close the show ("Back in Love Again," "Love Ballad," and "What a Wonderful World").