LUCIE ARNAZ IN JAMESTOWN FOR LOL SEMINAR

Jamestown, NY –  An actress, singer, dancer, director, business executive, Broadway star, and Emmy Award-winning producer, Lucie Arnaz will be in Jamestown next month to moderate a seminar on the healing powers of humor.

In announcing the event, Ms. Arnaz noted, “As the children of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and as president and vice president of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in our mother's hometown of Jamestown, New York, my brother Desi and I have been searching for some time for a way to explore, extend and celebrate the global impact that our parents created through their television show, ‘I Love Lucy’.  In our search, we have established several different ventures to teach and try to understand humor and the power it has always held to heal the human spirit.”

On October 15, the 54^th anniversary of the first “I Love Lucy” broadcast, the Center will sponsor the first related event: “LOL” -- an evening of exploration and celebration of “The Legacy of Laughter.”  Panelists for the seminar are:

·    Len Barry:  The co-founder of Jamestown’s own improv comedy troupe, The Unexpected Guests, teaches comedy at a private high school in Erie, PA.   

·    Brenda English:  The mother of Sarah Spirlock, who lost her battle with juvenile diabetes last spring.  Sarah and Brenda’s participation in Lucy-Desi Days in 2001 was made possible through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

·    Stan Lundine:  Jamestown’s former mayor, Congressman, and New York State lieutenant governor is the executive director of the Chautauqua County Health Network.

·    David Mitchell:  Now retired on disability, this former Jamestown police officer was critically wounded during a prearranged meeting with a drug informant. 

·    Mary Rapaport:  Breast cancer survivor who turned to "I Love Lucy" during her recovery process.

“LOL” seminars will be held in Jamestown, Los Angeles, and New York City.  The inaugural event will be at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 15 in the Tropicana Room of the Rapaport Center, 2 W. 3^rd Street, and will include a brief performance by The Unexpected Guests.  A reception will follow.  Tickets are $20 and go on sale on Wednesday, September 28.  There is very limited seating for this event. 

For tickets and more information, call or visit the Lucy-Desi Gift Shop, 300 N. Main Street, Jamestown, NY  14701; (716) 484-0800 (toll-free: 1-877-LUCY-FAN), ext. 203; or online at www.lucy-desi.com.  Hours for the Lucy-Desi Museum at 212 Pine, the Desilu Playhouse at 2 W. 3^rd Street, and the Lucy-Desi Center Gift Shop are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays.