One of San Diegoâ€s most anticipated charity events is just weeks away: Stepping Stoneâ€s third annual Mission Bay Cruise, co-hosted by none other than six-time Emmy Award winner Bruce Vilanch. This yearâ€s gala cruise on Sunday, Oct. 2nd, promises to appeal to everybodyâ€s taste buds.

Expect an extraordinary evening of mingling, dining, and entertainment onboard the exquisite “gem of the bay,” the William D. Evans sternwheeler. Proceeds go to Stepping Stoneâ€s exemplary alcohol/drug recovery and HIV/AIDS services as well as to the agencyâ€s campaign for a womenâ€s sober living program.

“The Board of Directors of Stepping Stone are thrilled that Mr. Vilanch has agreed to join us on our third Mission Bay Cruise. After writing for the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys and Tonys for years, he has proven to be one of the funniest people in Hollywood. Come enjoy a memorable evening and help us celebrate Stepping Stoneâ€s 35th Anniversary,” said Tom Reise, Board Chairperson.

Stepping Stone is San Diegoâ€s nationally recognized United Way member organization addressing the unique needs of LGBT individuals suffering from alcohol and drug addiction since 1976. The agencyâ€s state-of-the-art treatment facility provides life-saving and life affirming programs, both residential and after care. Additionally, Stepping Stone delivers HIV/AIDS support services and individualized treatment curricula. The organization also operates a transitional living program with over 13,000 bed days delivered annually. The Mission Bay Cruise is the agency’s annual signature event, bringing together community leaders, alumni, and friends of the organization.

VIP guests will be invited to a Meet N’ Greet with Bruce Vilanch on the 3rd floor deck. One of the entertainment industry’s most sought after jokesmiths, Vilanch is most widely recognized as the Emmy-winning writer of 21 Oscar broadcasts, and multiple Emmy, Tony, and Grammy broadcasts. He has written material for Bette Midler, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie Oâ€Donnell, and Paul Reiser to name a few, and has also written scripts for multiple one-person shows, musicals, and concert specials.

Known for his eclectic eyewear and collection of unique T-shirts, he began as a child model for Lane Bryant, but when his initial efforts as an actor came to naught, he became an entertainment writer for the Chicago Tribune instead. Impressed by his review of her cabaret performance in 1970, Bette Midler hired him to punch up her act where he gave birth to Midlerâ€s famed Sophie Tucker jokes. He later moved to Los Angeles where he wrote for variety shows like the original “Donny and Marie” and “The Brady Bunch Hour” (both ABC) and provided material for Richard Pryor, Lily Tomlin and Joan Rivers.

A special after dinner show will keep you laughing into the week. What else to expect on the cruise? A delicious four-course dinner under the 2nd floor masterpiece of a 50,000-piece stained glass dome. A composite of many actual steamboats that plied Americaâ€s rivers in the 19th century, the 100-foot-long William D. Evans was launched in 1986 as a loving tribute to that eraâ€s most elegant mode of transportation. From the three hand-crafted wooden masts at her bow, to the twelve ton paddlewheel at her stern, the boat recalls in smallest detail a colorful period of American history typified by graceful living. Skimming the blue-green waters of Mission Bay, the William D. Evans presents the perfect setting for Stepping Stoneâ€s 2011 gala.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of this leading non-profit organization. Meet distinguished recovery ambassadors, community leaders, elected officials, trustees, and the larger “Stepping Stone community.” Guests will enjoy a multi media exhibit chronicling the history of Stepping Stone, from the days when LGBT addiction treatment was non-existent to modern day practices, activism, and success.

Boarding is at 4:00 pm, the reception with Bruce Vilanch at 4:15 pm (VIP Guests bypass the line); Dinner will be served at 5:45 pm, and Live it Up with Bruce Vilanch starts at 6:30 pm, to be proceeded by a live auction. The belly of the boat will also feature live DJ music, a dance floor, and a silent auction featuring high end items.

VIP Tickets are $125, regular tickets $75 per person. Table captions save $50 on their table for 10, not including VIP upgrade.

Boarding passes can be purchased at steppingstonesd.org/events.html and at Stepping Stoneâ€s administrative office at 3767 Central Ave., San Diego, CA 92105.

For more information, table captain service, and sponsorship opportunities contact Bixi Craig, Director of Development, at 619.278.0777 ext.115 or bixi@steppingstonesd.org

The post Bruce Vilanch To Entertain On Stepping Stone’s 35th Anniversary Cruise first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Just when you think that you’ve seen everything in the Hamptons, East Hampton’s Guild Hall is bringing together an unlikely duo on July 24 in an event dubbed “A Bipolar Evening with Friends.”

The two performers on the bill, longtime friends, couldn’t be more different from one another. Comedy writer and performer Bruce Vilanch is best known for his raunchy one-liners and writing for just about every awards show you can think of, while actress Florence Henderson, who has starred on stage, television and in film, is best known for her role as the squeaky clean Carol Brady on TV’s “The Brady Bunch.” The two go back to the 1970s, when Vilanch worked as a writer for “The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.”

It was Vilanch who coined the event “A Bipolar Evening,” to Henderson’s delight. “Nobody expects the two of us together,” he said. “I have a much spicier reputation than Florence. But I plan on changing that for her. It’s not too late for her to be Joan Rivers.”

In the two-part show, Vilanch will take the stage first, telling tales from his career and tackling tabloid fodder. “My half of the show is about my bizarre life behind the scenes, writing for everybody else,” he said. For those quick to consider it a stand-up act, think again. “I like to call it sit-down. I just tell stories.”

Following Vilanch, Henderson will perform her one-woman autobiographical musical, All the Lives of Me, touching upon everything from growing up during the Great Depression to her years as America‘s favorite TV mom. And Henderson says you can expect Vilanch to make a special appearance during her segment and vice versa. “Usually Bruce would work alone or I would work alone,” she said. “This should be a tremendous amount of fun for us and the audience.”

Growing up in Kentucky, Henderson knew she wanted to get into show business at a young age. “Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be an entertainer,” she said. After high school, she received sponsorship to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, and never looked back.

She debuted on Broadway at 18, with a small role in Wish You Were Here, capturing the attention of the legendary Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. She was then cast in Oklahoma! in the lead role for its last national tour, leading to many other Broadway roles.

However, Henderson didn’t limit herself to the stage. “My goal always was to have longevity [in this industry.] So I diversified early,” she said. “I loved theater and I still do.” She became the first woman to guest host “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in 1962 and became “The Today Girl” for NBC’s morning show.

Then, in 1969, she landed the iconic role of Carol Brady on “The Brady Bunch,”-a role she still embraces. “I can’t ignore it,” she said. “It’s the elephant in the room.” But she’s never felt pigeon-holed because of it, like many actors known for portraying legendary characters. “For me it’s part of the fabric of my career, not the whole thing.” Carol Brady is a role Henderson revisits. She has lovingly skewered the character in various comedy sketches, made a cameo in the first Brady Bunch parody movie and participated in the reality show “My Fair Brady.”And her career continues to thrive in other ways, with the many charitable organizations she represents, as well as being a product spokeswoman and motivational speaker and appearing at events as varied as singing the national anthem at the Indianapolis 500 to hosting wrestling matches.

As for Vilanch, recently nominated for an Emmy for his role as a writer for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, his career has been vastly different from Henderson’s, but no less successful. Studying theater and journalism, he began his career covering music for the Chicago Tribune. This is how he met Bette Midler. He began writing bits for her, and slowly built up the list of performers he wrote for: Cher, Eartha Kitt, Diana Ross.

From there he moved on to Hollywood, writing for various variety shows, most notably “The Donny and Marie Show,” and many awards shows. He’s written for 21 consecutive Academy Awards. But he was able to move from behind the scenes and into the limelight while a head writer for “Hollywood Squares” in the 1980s. He was asked to sit in one of the squares, which, as a performer, he says he jumped at. “I got to sit next to Whoopi [Goldberg] for four years and crack wise,” he said. “I think they just wanted someone to tame her. I got lucky.”

This opportunity kick-started his performance career, leading to engagements around the country at various events and venues, performing a one-man off-Broadway show in 2000 and starring in Broadway’s Hairspray as Edna Turnblad. “I had to shave for that,” Vilanch said. “I couldn’t talk them into a bearded lady.” And many of the stories he’ll be telling on July 24, could very well find their way into the book he’s working on about his career.

“A Bipolar Evening with Friends,” featuring Bruce Vilanch and Florence Henderson, John Drew Theater at Guild Hall. Saturday, July 24, 8 p.m. For tickets, go to guildhall.org.

The post “A Bipolar Evening with Friends” – Bruce Vilanch and Florence Henderson first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

George Lucas commissioned The Star Wars Holiday Special with hopes of keeping the movie fresh in peopleâ€s minds while he filmed the Empire Strikes Back. It aired on November 17, 1978 to dismal reviews and is considered by many as one of the most awful and hilarious TV specials of all time.

The special focuses on Chewbaccaâ€s family grunting, moaning, while the featured cast of Star Wars performs unusual acts and well known comedy actors of the time engage in musical numbers.

George Lucas did everything in his power to make sure it was never seen again. But thanks to the internet, you can see the hilarious show anytime!

Today weâ€re talking to comedy writer and gay legend Bruce Vilanch, who worked as a writer for The Star Wars Holiday Special, and also on many lavish, campy TV specials of the 1970s including The Paul Lynde Halloween Special, The Cher Show, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.

As Hollywoodâ€s go-to guy for comedy writing, Bruce built a career writing for the Oscars and comedy legends like Bette Midler, Cher, Richard Pryor, Lily Tomlin and Joan Rivers.

Listen as Bruce talks to us about the wonderful tacky world of TV specials from the 1970s and he also reveals that there is a documentary on the Star Wars Holiday Special in the works!

Plus Bruce answers all your questions-
Why did Bea Arthur get involved in the Star Wars Holiday Special?
What is it like writing for the Oscars?
What advice does Bruce have for Whoopi on Mel Gibson?
And the secret to Bruceâ€s longevity in the entertainment business.

You can see Bruce on Sunday, August 15 at the Herbst Theater in San Francsico at Northern Californiaâ€s largest annual AIDS benefit, “Help is on the Way.”

Buy Bruce Vilanchâ€s 1999 definitive documentary “Get Bruce!” on DVD on Amazon.

To Hear The Podcast: CLICK HERE

The post Podcast: Hear Bruce Vilanch on Feast Of Fun first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Before the diva and divas-in-training took the stage, PrideFest’s day was filled with educational, family, youth, and health activities. The LGBT History Project chronicles the community’s heritage in an intimate tent just near the entrance of the festival. Families enjoyed magicians and animal showcases. Youth participated in fashion shows and an inter-generational dialogue. PrideFest hosted HIV testing in the Health and Wellness Area. Mayor Tom Barrett even paid a visit applauding PrideFest for another “lovely festival.”

As the cloudy day turned into a clear night, Lena Katina’s high-octave voice filled the evening air. The beautiful siren sang solo ballads as well as hits from her days as one-half of the electronica/dance music group t.A.T.u. After a colorful fireworks display, Bruce Vilanch hosted the headline show likening the festival to “a gay cruise.” The show also featured Rose Jang and Charice (who won acclaim and an enthusiastic thumbs up from Oprah Winfrey and Patti LaBelle ). Lena Katina even did the can-can backstage as Jang sang, “All That Jazz.”

But the show stopper was the woman who paved the way for all of the songbirds mentioned thus far…Patti LaBelle. An illustrious career that still continues to flourish and evolve to this day, LaBelle graced the Miller Lite Main Stage with hits such as “New Attitude,” “On My Own,” “Lady Marmalade,” “If Only You Knew,” and the awesomely appropriate “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

LaBelle’s presence on stage was both full of awe and full of humility. During “If Only You Knew” she walked up to one of the signers to learn the sign language for her lyrics. She kicked off her high-heeled shoes to replace them with flatter sandals (bejeweled of course). The singer requested air conditioning be turned on stating that “menopause is in the house.” Labelle even defied security’s advice and brought a disorderly patron on stage, hugging the patron and ensuring that he was escorted back to his seat.

“We’re two steps away from everything,” LaBelle said. “Loneliness. Happiness. Our last paycheck. Loving our neighbor, black, white, gay, straight… stay gay! Stay the way you are!”

PrideFest 2010 ends Sunday night with a performance by fashion maven and comedienne Joan Rivers. For more information about PrideFest, or to review Sunday’s schedule, please visitwww.pridefest.com.

The post Bruce Vilanch, Patti Labelle And Others Help Smash Attendance Records At Pridefest Milwaukee first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

PrideFest also offers a celebrity-packed weekend that’s got more stars than an episode of The Love Boat. Kathy Griffin, Patti LaBelle, and Joan Rivers each headline their own day, while Bruce Vilanch, Robert Verdi, and Melissa Ferrick round out the cast of supporting players.

Plus, thereâ€s a youth stage, a health & wellness stage, dance floors, sky cabs, and fireworks!

The post COME SEE BRUCE VILANCH AT MILWAUKEE PRIDEFEST – JUNE 11-13, 2010 first appeared on We Got Bruce!.