Grammy, Emmy & Tony-Award Winner Barry Manilow to Perform at Columbus Citizens Foundation 2017 Gala

Pop music legend Barry Manilow will perform at the Columbus Citizens Foundation 73rd Annual Gala on Saturday, October 7 at the New York Hilton. The Gala will honor Leonard Riggio, the Founder and Chairman of Barnes & Noble, and will benefit the Foundation’s Italian-American Student Scholarship Fund.

The theme of this year’s Columbus Day Celebration and parade is “A Celebration of Italian-American Authors.” Mr. Riggio, the parade Grand Marshal, created the theme to recognize the achievements of Italian-American writers. The black-tie Gala will incorporate this theme and feature Mr. Manilow as the guest performer.

All proceeds from the Gala will be used to support the Foundation’s mission of providing quality education to students of Italian descent who have academic ability but need financial assistance.

Having sold more than 85 million albums worldwide, Barry Manilow is one of the world's all-time bestselling recording artists. He's had an astonishing 50 Top 40 singles including 12 #1s and 27 Top 10 hits and is ranked as the #1 Adult Contemporary Artist of all-time, according to Billboard and R&R magazines. He has been nominated for a Grammy Award in every decade since the 1970s and, in addition to winning the Best Pop Male Vocal Performance Grammy in 1979 (for "Copacabana"), is an Emmy, Tony and American Music Award winner three years in a row.

“It is an honor to have renowned performer Barry Manilow as this year’s Gala entertainment,” said Foundation President Angelo Vivolo. “The Gala holds high significance in the celebration leading up to the Columbus Day Parade, and to have legendary singer Barry Manilow perform shows the importance of the Foundation and its goals.”

Mr. Manilow will be a part of a program that pays tribute to Grand Marshal Riggio, Italian-American authors, and this year’s honorees, Tom Iovino, CEO of OHL America, and Dr. Laura Forese, Executive Vice President and COO of New York-Presbyterian.

Tickets are still available for this exceptional evening. Please email gala@columbuscitizens.org for further details.

ABOUT THE COLUMBUS CITIZENS FOUNDATION

The Columbus Citizens Foundation is a non-profit organization in New York City committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement. The Foundation, through a broad range of philanthropic and cultural activities, provides opportunities for advancement to deserving Italian-American students through various scholarship and grant programs. The Foundation organizes New York City's annual Columbus Celebration and Columbus Day Parade, which has celebrated Italian-American heritage on New York's Fifth Avenue since 1929. For more information, contact jwilson@columbuscitizens.org

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