Magic Johnson hosts annual charity event at UCLA

Event will benefit scholarship fund; will feature NBA players

AJ Cadman
Published: Thursday, June 1, 2000

By AJ Cadman

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Former Laker legend Magic Johnson will bring Showtime to UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion from August 4-6 for the 15th Annual “A Midsummer Night’s Magic” (AMNM) Weekend.

A benefit event to raise money for the Magic Johnson Foundation’s Taylor Michaels Scholarship Fund, the AMNM Weekend culminates with the All-Star Charity Basketball Game on Sunday, August 6, with tipoff at 6 p.m.

“This event is the highlight of the summer season and this year will be no exception,”Johnson said in a statement. “I am grateful to the NBA players, celebrities and corporate sponsors who have supported and continue to support AMNM. It is the hard work and dedication of so many people that makes this event such a success.”

The Magic Johnson Foundation – a non-profit organization that focuses on improving and addressing the health, educational and social needs of the inner city – will direct the yearly fundraiser.

“The most important thing is that deserving young people who have worked hard toward achieving educational excellence will benefit from scholarships through the Magic Johnson Foundation,”Johnson said on the weekend’s focus.

Following a children’s Mardi Gras celebration on Friday afternoon at the Magic Johnson Recreation Center will be a benefit concert scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

Last year at the Universal Amphitheater, Whitney Houston was the featured performer at the benefit concert, and Eric Benet made a guest appearance at the children’s Mardi Gras.

Then on Saturday, AMNM continues with a Corporate Dinner and Gala Party beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Paramount Studios.

Sunday will conclude the event with the All-Star Game featuring NBA superstars Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson (Philadelphia), Cedric Ceballos (Dallas), Steve Francis (Houston), Antoine Walker (Boston), Nick Van Exel (Denver), Shawn Kemp (Cleveland), Nick Anderson (Sacramento), Byron Russell (Utah), Joe Smith (Minnesota) and Tracy McGrady (Toronto),among others, are expected to participate. A slam dunk competition will follow the contest.

For ticket information or more on how to be a part of the weekend-long event, contact the Magic Johnson Foundation at (310) 338-8110.