Well-Strung Headlines Third Annual Diversity Honors

Critically acclaimed singing string quartet Well-Strung has been announced as the headline entertainment for the third annual Diversity Honors at Hard Rock Live presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino set for Saturday, May 6, at 7 p.m.

The much-anticipated event to benefit the Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park will serve as a kick-off to Harvey Milk Day events around the world and will showcase those who are transforming lives by living authentically and advancing inclusiveness.

The New York Times recently called Well-Strung "a talented quartet of men who sing and play instruments brilliantly fusing pop and classical music from Madonna to Beethoven."

Well-Strung, featuring Edmund Bagnell (first violin), Christopher Marchant (second violin), Daniel Shevlin (cello) and Trevor Wadleigh(viola), is a string quartet with a modern twist. The group plays universally recognized classical pieces while singing pop music hits from the likes of Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, and other pop stars for a uniquely engaging experience.

Conceived by Mark Cortale and Christopher Marchant, the foursome has quickly gained international attention. In September, they were invited to perform at the Vatican in Rome and at a gala for President Obama. Their hit "viral" music video "Chelsea's Mom," released this summer, led to a command performance for and meeting with 2016 presidential candidate
Hillary Clinton herself. The group has received critical acclaim at New York's prestigious Feinstein's/54 Below and well beyond, from the House of Blues in New Orleans to the Leicester Square Theatre in London.

Well-Strung has performed twice on "The Today Show" and has also appeared with Andy Cohen on "Watch What Happens Live." Well-Strung's second album, entitled "POPssical," debuted at #8 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart, last fall. They have also performed with artists such as Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Audra McDonald and Deborah Voigt, plus have performed twice with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. This past July, Well-Strung was the opening act for Joe Jonas and his band DNCE at Pride Toronto and this December, they will co-star in two Christmas concerts at Town Hall in Manhattan with the New York City Gay Men's Chorus.

"This year's Diversity Honors promises another stellar and inspiring evening of world class honorees and attendees coming together to share a vision of love, hope and solidarity - a message of unity and inclusion for all," said Susan Renneisen, VP Community Affairs & Special Events, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. "The Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park are two respected organizations truly leading the movement for social acceptance and we're pleased to present this well-orchestrated event with amazing food, entertainment and fun."

The evening will commence with a lively cocktail reception and a variety of silent auction items. A seated three-course dinner will be followed by a memorable awards presentation hosted by Craig Stevens, WSVN evening news anchor. The charitable evening will culminate with an after- party, also to be held at Hard Rock Live.

This collaborative effort between The Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park, along with generous support from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, has put South Florida on the international stage of LGBTQ rights and activism in honor of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States who was assassinated shortly after winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the election of Harvey Milk to public office. The honorees for the 2017 Diversity Honors will be announced at a later date.

Sponsors of Diversity Honors 2017 include Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Levi's�, Stoli Vodka, DMK - Danne Montague-King, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, Joseph Liberty and Dennis Hottenstein, Mark Griffis, Hotspots magazine, South Florida Gay News, WSVN, Craig Zinn Automotive Group, Mark's List, iHeart Media, Ludwig Framemakers, Fast Printz, Lightship Media, Gold Coast magazine and The Miami Foundation.

Tickets are $200 per person for the black-tie optional event. A photo opportunity with Well-Strung is available for an additional $75. To reserve tickets or for more information, please visit www.DiversityHonors.com.

About The Harvey Milk Foundation

The Harvey Milk Foundation is a global non-profit NGO that promotes Harvey Milk's inspiring legacy through human rights education and global outreach. In 1977, Harvey Milk (1930-1978) became the first openly LGBT elected official to a major office in the United States. He was assassinated in San Francisco's City Hall 11 months later. The all-volunteer run foundation was founded by Harvey's nephew, Stuart Milk, and Anne Kronenberg, Harvey's campaign manager and political aide. Today, the Harvey Milk Foundation provides on-the-ground support and award-winning programing to struggling and emerging LGBT communities on 5 continents with over four dozen dedicated volunteer leaders and long term partnerships in 31 nations. For more information, please visit www.milkfoundation.org.

About The Pride Center at Equality Park

For more than 20 years, The Pride Center has provided a welcoming, safe space - an inclusive home - that celebrates, nurtures and empowers the LGBT communities and our friends and neighbors in South Florida. The Pride Center's programs and services meet the distinct socio-economic, health, spiritual, and safety needs of the LGBT community. It hosts more than 60 regular meeting groups each month and more than 35,000 adults and youth attend activities at the Center, each year. Outreach activities over the past year directly impacted 50,000 residents and visitors to South Florida. The Pride Center is a major site for HIV testing and prevention, education and counseling and offers holistic and comprehensive support programs for persons living with HIV/AIDS, including the nationally acclaimed PALS Project. For more information, visit www.pridecenterflorida.org.

About Seminole Hard Rock

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is South Florida's iconic entertainment destination located minutes from Fort Lauderdale's world-famous beach. The AAA Four Diamond-rated resort features 469 luxury guest rooms and suites, award-winning restaurants, a lagoon-style pool and Beach Club, a Hard Rock-inspired spa, premium meeting and convention space and a 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live concert arena. The casino offers more than 100 table games, 2,000 of the most popular slots and a stand-alone poker room.

Fine dining options include Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, the resort's signature steakhouse, and Kuro, a luxe and socially vibrant restaurant offering new-style Japanese cuisine. In the heart of the hotel is L Bar, a sophisticated, contemporary lounge showcasing handcrafted classic cocktails with a twist. Contemporary and casual eateries, include Blue Plate, the hotel's 24-hour diner-inspired restaurant; Constant Grind, a gourmet coffee and pastry shop; and the ever-famous Hard Rock Cafe - Hollywood, part of Hard Rock's 175 globally recognized rock 'n' roll restaurants.
For more information, call 800-937-0010, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com, or follow us on Facebook: @SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly

About Hard Rock Live

Hard Rock Live, a spectacular state-of-the-art facility, further expands the ultimate entertainment experience at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. This 5,500-seat indoor arena has attracted more than 3 million people since its opening in 2005, and has regularly hosted South Florida's greatest variety of musical acts such as John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Marc Anthony, Billy Joel, Andrea Bocelli, Tim McGraw and Carlos Santana; top comedians including Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Kathy Griffin and George Lopez; as well as major sporting events and events of major sports stars, from UFC matches to charity galas for Jason Taylor, Alonzo Mourning, DwyaneWade and more. For additional information, please visit www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com or www.myhrl.com