SAN MANUEL INDIAN NATION, California -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Last night,
professional Poker player Annie Duke and Academy Award nominee(R) Don
Cheadle, hosted the Ante Up for Africa celebrity Poker tournament and
exclusive VIP after party at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino to raise
awareness and funds for the Darfur crisis in Africa. Together with San
Manuel's $500,000 donation and the proceeds from the silent auction, which
totaled over $4,000, they were able to raise a significant financial
contribution for the Not On Our Watch project.
"When I heard about San Manuel's decision to increase the donation to
$500,000, I couldn't believe it," said Don Cheadle, co-founder of Ante Up
For Africa. "I am so very grateful to them for their generosity and for
helping us continue to bring the plight of the refugees of Darfur into the
light." Poker professionals and celebrities alike were all-in for the Texas
Hold'em Poker Tournament. Aside from Duke and Cheadle, other celebrities
and Poker pros included Willie Garson from "Sex and the City"; Josh Malina
from "The West Wing"; Tia Mowry, of "Sister Sister; Scott Ian of "Anthrax";
LA Dodgers James Loney, Scott Proctor and Gary Bennett; Howard Lederer
,two-time World Series of Poker Champion; and Poker Pros, Chris "Jesus"
Ferguson, Phil "The Unabomber" Laak, and Andy Block.
In a generous gesture, winner of the tournament, Bill Pedigo, of AEG
Worldwide, decided to donate his win to the second place winner, a regular
casino Poker customer, who wished to remain anonymous. The lucky customer
took home the celebrity and poker professional autographed custom poker
table, courtesy of the casino.
Annie Duke will also be making another appearance at San Manuel on
Wednesday, May 14, when she hosts an intensive day of Advanced Texas
Hold'em Poker training. Seating is limited to the first 60 people. Tickets
are still available at the San Manuel Box Office for $500 each.
After the tournament, the poker pros and celebrities signed autographs
and joined other VIP's to celebrate the grand opening of the casino's chic
and trendy new steakhouse/ultra lounge, "The Pines". Opening to the public
at 5 pm today, "The Pines" is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, 5pm
to 10pm. Then "The Pines" is transformed into an ultra lounge for late
night fun, open Thursday through Saturday 10pm to 3am.