Brief presentations will be made by representatives from the coalition's participating organizations: Little Pearls, Casting for Recovery and The Asheville Ballet. After a question and answer session, people will have the opportunity to sign up to help in the area of their interest or expertise.

Three Asheville area non-profits (The Asheville Ballet Guild, Little Pearls and Casting for Recovery) have formed a unique coalition to collaborate with Sir Paul McCartney's foundation, The Garland Appeal USA, in staging an evening of fine art, dance and film at The Diana Wortham Theatre on Friday night, October 29, 2004. International film star, Andie MacDowell will chair the event and local television celebrity Bob Caldwell will be the emcee. Entertainment and dancing will be provided by the Beatles cover band, Yesterdays Tomorrow. Proceeds raised will support programs that save and enrich lives.

Tickets are now available at the box office at (828) 257-4530, or visit the Diana Wortham Theatre website.

PLEASE NOTE: Through the "Connections" program, patrons who wish to donate a ticket in the name of a woman anywhere in the world who has dealt with breast cancer may do so. The McCartney Project will identify local breast cancer survivors who otherwise could not afford to attend, and pass the ticket along. Simply designate the ticket "Connections" followed by the name of the woman being honored. Contact information should be included if a personal connection is desired.

The Garland Appeal USA, a national foundation formed in memory of Linda McCartney, raises funds to support early detection of breast cancer.

Andie MacDowell is known to the world through her L'Oreal spokesperson campaign as well as for her work in such films as "sex, lies and videotape" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral." In addition, she is known locally for her enthusiastic support of humanitarian causes that improve the quality of life for the Western North Carolina community. Since choosing Asheville as the place to make her home, Ms. MacDowell has become one of our region's leading citizens. She has consistently demonstrated what "citizenship" truly means, and has made our beautiful city even more beautiful with her gracious and generous participation in such events as Enduring Ties.

The evening will feature the Asheville premiere of "Snow Angels," a moving documentary that follows a year in the lives of three women living with breast cancer. The film by Ken Vrana is dedicated to Linda McCartney, who lost her own battle with breast cancer. It features a musical score by Sir Paul McCartney and Sarah McLachlan.

The Asheville Ballet has an outreach component that touches at-risk children, as well as those affected by cancer. Casting for Recovery sponsors fly-fishing retreats for breast cancer survivors. Little Pearls makes and distributes "tiny films" that open hearts and minds. These groups have crossed traditional boundaries (health, sports, arts and spirit) to cooperate and share in the work of nurturing and strengthening each individual organization and our community as a whole.

In addition to the Asheville premiere of "Snow Angels," this special event will feature a 30 minute ballet incorporating film footage from Little Pearls and Casting for Recovery with original choreography by Ann Dunn, performed by members of The Asheville Ballet. There will also be an exciting silent auction and raffle, great food and drinks, and special surprise guests.

Regional and national sponsors are lining up to support this unusual event. The Gap, through its Gap Foundation, has already stepped forward with a generous sponsorship, as has UBS Financial Services.

Unique, hand painted silk ties by our region's top artists will be available for purchase in select galleries and boutiques, for wear at this gala "art tie" event.