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!.

Time: Saturday, June 4 at 8:00pm – June 5 at 1:30am

Location:

Rose Marine Theater
1440 N. Main St.
Fort Worth, TX

Created By: Q Cinema

More Info
Last year, we were honored to present the legendary Bruce Vilanch with our second annual Leslie Jordan Community Achievement Award when he first came to Cowtown with the film “Oy Vey! My Son is Gay!” Now heâ€s back with an evening of comedy, conversation and, of course, celebrity dish. For Vilanch virgins, this Paterson, N.J. native has written for every television function and dysfunction imaginable, including the Quadruple Crown of Awards Shows: The Oscars, the Emmys, the Tonys and the Grammys. Among the people he’s written for are Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, Shirley MacLaine, George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Cher, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Joan Rivers, and others who have requested much-deserved anonymity.

The post QLive! Presents An Evening With Bruce Vilanch 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!.

We are really excited to see Bruce Vilanch at Milwaukee Pridefest this weekend. We had such a good time talking to him when he was coming to Chicago to host IML in April of 2006. Please enjoy this classic interview with the very funny Bruce Vilanch and please join us this weekend in Milwaukee on the Summerfest grounds.

Bruce Vilanch put the F. U. in funny for a lot of folks. And boy does he on todayâ€s podcast! Heâ€s on todayâ€s show to talk about why heâ€s coming to Chicago, why the Academy Awards blackballed Brokeback Mountain and where he keeps his enormous collection of t-shirts.

Although he started out wanting to be an actor, Bruce turned to journalism and writing for a career which really took off when comedy legend Bette Midler hired him to “punch up” her act. Hollywood soon called and he moved to Los Angeles to write for television shows like Cherâ€s post-Sonny TV variety hour titled “Cher” as well as provide material for comedians like Richard Pryor, Lily Tomlin and Joan Rivers.

And of course, he is the man behind most of your favorite jokes that appear on the Oscars and the Tony award ceremonies. We think that next year he should hold his jokes hostage and demand that a gay man host the ceremonies- itâ€s the least we can do after the tragedy of having “Brokeback Mountain” lose to “Crash.”

When Harvey Fierstein left the the popular Broadway hit “Hairspray,” Bruce returned to his acting roots to take over the part of Edna Turnblad.

Listen as we chat with Bruce about John Travolta taking on the same role for the film adaptation of the Broadway musical adaptation of the original film.

To go to the podcast: Click Here

The post Listen To Bruce On “Feast Of Fools” first appeared on We Got Bruce!.