Eagerly Anticipated Concert To Proceed Without Mary Wilson

Hanoi - October 29, 2008

The United States Embassy was disappointed to learn today that a medical emergency will prevent rock legend Mary Wilson of the Original Supremes from traveling to Vietnam for a charity concert tomorrow. We wish her a very speedy and full recovery. Despite her inability to travel, and in a phone call from the United States, Ms. Wilson insists that, "The Show Must Go On!" The concert will proceed as scheduled at 8 p.m., Thursday October 30 at Tuoi Tre Theater. Noted American vocalists Parnell Marcano and Lucille Shropshire-Calvin will headline the performance which will feature Ms. Wilson's repertoire of classic R & B music. Special guest and Vietnamese music star My Linh will also appear as planned.

The United States Embassy has joined with the Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI), Project Renew, the Hilton Opera Hanoi, and Eva Airlines to support this charity event. Proceeds from the concert will benefit “Mushrooms With A Mission”, a Project RENEW/HDI sponsored project to help raise the incomes of survivors of unexploded ordnance and landmines in Quang Tri Province by providing them with the tools and equipment needed to become successful mushroom farmers.

Those who purchased seats from TicketVN and do not wish to have their ticket cost go to this charitable cause may contact ticketvn@fpt.vn for a full refund.

NOTE TO REPORTERS: Ralph L. Cwerman, President and Founder of the Humpty Dumpty Institute, will hold a press roundtable on October 31 in Hanoi in connection with the charity show to raise funds for landmine victims in Quang Tri.

When: 2 p.m., October 31, 2008
Where: Conference Room, 1st Floor, Rose Garden Tower, #170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

Reporters are cordially invited. Please register your names with Ms. Ha Ngoc Le, U.S. Embassy Information Assistant, at phone: 04-3850-5000 (ext 6028), or email: haln@state.gov, before 4 p.m. on October 30. Reporters should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the meeting starts.