MAGICS SHOWTIME" Hosted by Magic Johnson CELEBRATING ALL-STAR WEEKEND IN LA (February 12-16, 2004)

The NBA All-Star Weekend will be held in Los Angeles for the first time since 1983. Business, sports and entertainment mogul Earvin Magic" Johnson is set to host a variety of entertaining events as All-Star Weekend makes its return back to the city of angels.

LOS ANGELES, CA (PRWEB) January 4, 2004 --The NBA All-Star Weekend will be held in Los Angeles for the first time since 1983. Business, sports and entertainment mogul Earvin Magic" Johnson is set to host a variety of entertaining events as All-Star Weekend makes its return back to the city of angels.

It seems like yesterday Marvin Gaye was christening the all-star game with a soulful rendition of the The Star Spangled Banner and Magic Johnson was dishing out a NBA All-Star Game record 16 assists at the Forum in Inglewood. 21 years later, the Magic Johnson Foundation presents MAGICS SHOWTIME." This is really going to be an exciting time for Los Angeles and I am looking forward to being involved with showing basketball fans our great city," said Johnson.

Kicking off Magics Showtime" festivities will be the OFFICIAL tip-off event for the NBA All-Star Weekend. American Express Celebrates the Rewarding Life of Earvin Johnson," Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Shrine Auditorium. American Express will honor the extremely inspiring and rewarding life that Johnson has led both on and off the court, from an illustrious playing career to his current status as a leading entrepreneur with extensive philanthropic involvement. The star-studded gala will feature musical, comedic, celebrity and NBA talent from key points in Johnsons life that will reflect on the relevant, inspirational and entertaining moments and figures from his life in a fun and uplifting showcase.

As a long time supporter of the Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF), American Express is utilizing this event as another method to generate additional funding and awareness for the foundation as MJF will be the sole recipient of all ticket proceeds.

On Friday, Feb. 13, Magic of Fashion" will take place at the Petersen Museum. The fashion industrys top models and special guest celebrity models will hit the runway showcasing todays hottest and most trendy clothing lines. Models will be wearing the threads of Von Dutch, Fetish, Perry White and Linda Stokes among others. Magic of Fashion" will also mark the debut of the Magic Johnson clothing line including throwback jerseys and fashionable business attire. The charity fashion show is being produced by fashion guru Paula Bond, president of First Option Entertainment.

All funds raised from the Magic of Fashion" will benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and MJF. APLA is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV disease, reducing the incidence of HIV infection and advocating for fair and effective HIV-related policy.

On Saturday, Feb. 14, Hoop Magic presents the Hoop Magic Celebrity Basketball Game," benefiting MJF. The Forum, where SHOWTIME was born, will play host to Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Chingy, Zane, Tigger from BETs Rap City and the top streetballers like White Chocolate" and The Dribbling Machine" as they will battle it out on the hardwood against NBA legends like James Worthy, Reggie Theus, Norm Nixon, A.C. Green, Larry Drew, Jamal Wilkes and many more.

Saturday night, Red Hot Soul" will be an elegant evening celebrating Valentines Day on Sunset Blvd. at the world famous Beverly Hills Hotel that will include dinner and sizzling live entertainment on stage to cap the evening.

After a long weekend of enjoying the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities, it will be time to relax on the beautiful Mountain Gate Golf Course in Bel Air for the Magic of Golf" Celebrity Golf Tournament. On Monday, Feb. 16, entertainers, athletes, corporate sponsors and lovers of the golf game will tee off on one of the most scenic golf courses in the country.

All funds from the American Express Celebrates the Rewarding Life of Earvin Johnson," Hoop Magic Celebrity Basketball Game," Red Hot Soul" and Magic of Golf" will benefit the Magic Johnson Foundation. MJF is dedicated to providing support to community-based organizations which serve health, educational and social needs of urban youth and underserved communities. In addition, the Foundation is committed to raising awareness regarding the health and social ills plaguing under represented communities.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW:

•   American Express Celebrates the Rewarding Life of Earvin Johnson" tickets are available EXCLUSIVELY to American Express Cardmembers at all ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com.

•   Hoop Magic Celebrity Basketball Game" tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com.

•   Magic of Fashion" and Red Hot Soul" tickets will be available though the Magic Johnson Foundation. Call 310.246.4400 or visit magicjohnson.org.

•   For Magic of Golf" entry, sponsorship and general information, contact the offices of Buford Public Relations at 818.995.6545 or by e.mail at magicgolf@bufordpr.com.

CORPORTATE SPONSORS:
Magics Showtime is brought to you by:

PRESENTING SPONSORS: Lincoln, Anheuser-Busch and American Express
MAJOR SPONSORS: Coca-Cola, Smashbox, Clear Channel, Midway Sports and NASCAR.

###

ALL MEDIA WILL BE ACCOMODATED

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: Media must be credentialed separately for each event. Please fax all media credential requests on company letterhead to attend (1) Fashion Show, (2) Hoop Magic Celebrity Basketball Game, (3) Red Hot Soul" and/or (4) Magic of Golf" by Monday, February 2, 2004 to Buford Public Relations at (818) 995.6530. For further media information, please call the office of Buford Public Relations at (818) 995.6545 or by e.mail at magicmedia@bufordpr.com.