Elios Announces Honorees for 2013 Hellenic Charity Ball

The Elios Charitable Foundation announced its 9th Hellenic Charity Ball honoring Chris & Jim Bogios, Mario Frangoulis and Stratton Leopold. The event will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at Westin St. Francis on Union Square (335 Powell Street, San Francisco).

The Hellenic Charity Ball is one of San Francisco’s most star-studded gala events, honoring Greek-Americans who have distinguished themselves in the creative, artistic and entertainment worlds.

This year’s honorees include San Francisco Symphony trumpet player, Chris Bogios and his son, Counting Crows drummer, Jim Bogios; internationally acclaimed tenor, Mario Frangoulis; and American film producer, Stratton Leopold. 2009 Hellenic Charity Ball Honoree, Marilu Henner, will be the evening’s emcee.

The Ball is the principal source of funding for the Elios Charitable Foundation’s philanthropic endeavors. The Foundation has awarded more than $818,000 in grants to an extensive list of recognized and deserving non-profit recipients.

In format, the evening includes a formal seated dinner and award show attracting more than 700 taste-makers and industry leaders from the Bay Area and Los Angeles. For more info and tickets please visit: www.elios.org

About the Honorees:

Chris Bogios & Jim Bogios
Bay Area native, Chris Bogios played trumpet for the San Francisco Symphony for over four decades and helped to lead the charge for fundamental changes in the Bay Area classical music scene. His son, Jim Bogios, influenced by his father’s musical chops, had his beginnings with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, performed with Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Prince, and currently plays drums with the Counting Crows, as he has for over 10 years.

Mario Frangoulis
As a tenor of the 21st Century, with the ability to sing everything from a hard-rock anthem to an operatic aria, Mario Frangoulis is best known for his powerful and charismatic live performances. While attending London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he was discovered by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, hired to play Marius in Les Miserables and soon invited by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to play the role of Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera. He sings in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Greek and loves to blend multiple musical styles.

Stratton Leopold
American film producer and Executive Vice President of Production at Paramount Pictures, Stratton Leopold has a long and successful production career. His projects have included The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Mission: Impossible III, and the recent adaptation of The Wolfman starring Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins.

Marilu Henner
A 2009 Hellenic Charity Ball Honoree, Marilu Henner has graciously agreed to be the emcee for the 2013 Ball! Best known for her acting career in film and television, Marilu’s work has included her breakthrough role as receptionist-turned cabbie Elaine Nardo in Taxi, films such as L.A. Story and Perfect, and hit sitcom Evening Shade. She recently served as host of the PBS Series America’s Ballroom Challenge and competed in the first Celebrity Apprentice.