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Lesher Foundation's Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series 24/25 Season
Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series seeks to nurture a community of enthusiastic conversationalists, inspired to discuss important issues with family, friends, and neighbors.
A Fireside Chat with Rita Moreno
Presented by Lesher Center and Diablo Regional Arts Association
- Date: 09/18/2024 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
- Location: Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Drive
Walnut Creek, California 94596 - Introduction: The EGOT winning star discusses her eight decades in the arts.
Save up to 25% when you bundle Headliners performances.
Actress, dancer, and entertainment icon—the ‘EGOT’ winner sits down with Jessica Aguirre, Emmy-winning journalist from NBC Bay Area, to discuss her eight decades of life in entertainment and passion for Arts Education.
Join us for a "Meet & Greet" with Ms. Moreno! A limited amount of front section "VIP" tickets are available and include an intimate VIP reception with Ms. Moreno!
About Rita Moreno
This Puerto Rican born actress, dancer, and singer has performed on stage and screen in a career spanning over eight decades. Among her numerous accolades, she is one of the few actors to have been awarded an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony (EGOT) and the Triple Crown of Acting, with individual competitive Academy, Emmy, and Tony awards. Additional accolades include the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, the National Medal of Arts in 2009, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2013, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2015, and a Peabody Award in 2019.
Moreno's work included supporting roles in the classic musical films Singin' in the Rain (1952) and The King and I (1956), before her breakout role as Anita in West Side Story (1961), which earned her the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first Latin American woman to win an Academy Award. Moreno returned to her breakout work in West Side Story in 2021 as producer and portraying Valentina in Steven Spielberg’s Oscar nominated film.
Other career highlights in Broadway and stage work, including Terrence McNally’s musical The Ritz, which earned her the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She reprised her role in the 1976 film, which earned her a BAFTA Award for Best Actress nomination.
Save up to 25% when you bundle Headliners performances.
Presented By
About Lesher Foundation
Enhancing the quality of life for all residents in Contra Costa County, California, through the support of children and families, education, and arts and culture.
The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation has a clear and simple mission—to enhance the quality of life for all residents of Contra Costa County, California. First established in 1989 by the late Dean Lesher and his wife Margaret, the Lesher Foundation has strong roots in Northern California. Dean Lesher was the founder and publisher of Lesher Communications in Walnut Creek, and subsequently built a chain of local newspapers throughout California. He wanted to give back to the local communities he loved so dearly by funding nonprofits in Contra Costa County. Today, the Foundation continues to uphold this value, giving more than $85 million in grants to date.
The Lesher Foundation is now principally managed by Dean and Margaret’s children and grandchildren. In honor of the philanthropic legacy established by the original donors, the Foundation is deeply committed to funding programs benefitting children and families, particularly those in underserved and low-income areas. Education grants are also a strong focus of giving, targeted toward children and young adults from vulnerable families. Additionally, funding for both the visual and performing arts is a key focus area, as the family believes that a vibrant community includes access to the arts for all its members.
The Foundation advances its mission by believing in the safety, security, and potential of every child, significantly investing in educational opportunities for those underserved, and offering the community the enrichments of the arts. We invite you to read more about our goals and strategies, and welcome your interest in the Foundation.
About Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series
Yesterday
One of the dreams of the late Dean Lesher was to showcase powerful ideals and public discourse on important matters of the day. In 2004, that dream became a reality when the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation donated $1 million to underwrite the very first speaker series at the Lesher Center for the Arts.
Today
The Lesher Foundation continues to enthusiastically produce Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series with the support of sponsors that include Diablo Regional Arts Association, KTVU Fox 2, and Diablo Magazine. Each year, the foundation, along with our sponsors and other partners, help select speakers in politics, international affairs, journalism, sports and entertainment to present an array of diverse and engaging topics.
Tomorrow
Our goal is to inspire and inform our audience who we see as warm, engaging and intellectually curious. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to having you attend our 2024/25 series and join in on the conversation.