Absolute Live Productions was both thrilled and honoured to be invited to participate in the 2011 Universal Studios live internet event. Working on this event was like we had all worked as a crew for many years. So many different elements needed to come together to make this event go off without a hitch. Needless to say, Everyone involved stepped up to the plate and provided one of the most amazing Free (donate per view) concerts Universal has ever experienced. 
The Salvation Army’s red kettles will be jingling and jangling with more than just coins (or dollar bills) this Christmas season. The Salvation Army, in partnership with Universal CityWalk, is proud to present the second annual Rock the Red Kettle Concert, with host Mario Lopez of Extra, featuring a mix of today’s top young stars, including Honor Society, Colbie Caillat, Cody Simpson, Greyson Chance, Drake Bell and Hanson, along with other special surprise guests. This free concert, which is open to the general public and supports the Army’s 120th annual Red Kettle Campaign, will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17 at Universal CityWalk’s new state-of-the-art “5 Towers” outdoor concert venue in Los Angeles.
In keeping with The Salvation Army’s continued efforts to reach young and aspiring American philanthropists, the concert will also be streamed live at
Cambio.com/rock-the-red-kettle, where supporters can click to donate while watching the show. Donors can also make a $10 donation to the campaign by texting the word “GIVE” to 80888 through December 24. *
“We’ll be rocking the red kettle yet again this year!” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army. “We are honored by the creativity and enthusiasm of these bands. By performing at our second annual Rock the Red Kettle Concert, they will be helping to educate America’s youth about the importance of giving all year round, starting with The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign this Christmas season.”
The Rock the Red Kettle Concert will raise awareness for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, the oldest annual charitable fundraiser of its kind in the United States. Money raised during the campaign helps the Army serve nearly 30 million Americans in need each year in communities nationwide through a wide array of programs including toys for kids, coats for the homeless and food for the hungry.
“This show is about reaching out to that next generation of Salvation Army supporters and spreading the message of doing good with the help of music artists who believe in the cause,” said Ned Specktor of Sky Blue Group and co-producer of the concert with David Swift of Swift Entertainment.
A talented variety of young artists are scheduled to perform, including pop-rock bands Honor Society and Hanson; YouTube sensation Greyson Chance and pop singer Colbie Caillat. Other performers include Nickelodeon Star and musician, Drake Bell, best known for his role in Drake & Josh and Cody Simpson.
In addition to the iconic red kettle, The Salvation Army is embracing online and mobile technologies to help support the Red Kettle Campaign. For the seventh year in a row, The Salvation Army will allow fans to become online bell ringers by signing up to host an Online Red Kettle at www.onlineredkettle.org. The program allows individuals and organizations to host their own “virtual” red kettle on their personal, group or company website. Last year, Online Red Kettles raised nearly $2 million as thousands of people asked friends and families to give online. This year, the Army hopes to raise $3 million with improved Facebook functionality and an Online Red Kettle iPhone application.
From its humble beginnings as a program started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army volunteers spread throughout the country to ring bells and solicit donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers. In 2009, the campaign raised more than $139 million nationwide, a new record supported by the public’s nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars (and the occasional diamond ring or gold tooth) all collected and used to help people in the communities where the money was raised.
For more information on The Salvation Army and the Rock the Red Kettle Concert, please visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org, www.facebook.com/salvationarmyusa or www.twitter.com/salvationarmyus.
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