The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund's second Awards Gala, set for Halloween night, Wednesday, October 31 at the Avalon nightclub in Hollywood, will include a live performance by Dio Disciples, comprising former members of the band Dio, with a number of prominent rock musicians joining them on stage for an all-star jam. Among the rockers planning to join the celebrity jam session are Joey Vera (Armored Saint), Billy Morrison, Glenn Hughes, Frankie Banali, Stephen Pearcy (Ratt), Joey Belladonna (Anthrax), Michael Sweet and Oz Fox from Stryper, David "Rock" Feinstein, cousin of the late singer Ronnie James Dio in whose memory the Fund was created, and members of Buckcherry.In addition, Terry "Geezer" Butler, Eddie Money, Glenn Hughes, Frankie Banali, Stephen Pearcy, Joey Beladonna and David "Rock" Feinstein are among the performers who are scheduled to present awards to the fund's distinguished honorees. This year's honorees, who will receive awards named after Ronnie James Dio songs, are: Neil Warnock, Founder and CEO of The Agency Group worldwide; Stanley J. Diamond, partner, Diamond & Wilson, and member of the Board of Directors of the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up & Shout Cancer Fund;Charlie Hernandez, President of QED Productions and veteran production manager; Bob Chiappardi, Founder and CEO of Concrete Marketing; Alex Hodges, CEO, Nederlander Concerts; Dr. Raul Mena, Director of the Roy and Patricia Disney Cancer Center in Burbank; and Tony Iommi, legendary guitarist and co-founding member of Black Sabbath and Heaven & Hell and recent cancer survivor. Iommi has donated a one-of-kind Gibson Iommi SG prototype guitar-a priceless left-handed development model made for Tony personally- to the event's silent auction, and he will autograph it and pose for a photograph with the new owner.Currently out on tour, the new line-up of Dio Disciples comprises Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals) , Oni Logan (vocals), Craig Goldy (guitar), Bjorn Englen (bass), Scott Warren (keyboards) and Simon Wright (drums). The weirdly wonderful performance troupe Cirque Berzerk will also perform at the Gala, and Eddie Trunk of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" will serve as Special Guest emcee.In addition to the evening's entertainment, the Halloween Spooktacular will include gourmet food stations and a hosted bar as well as a silent auction, live auction and Halloween costume contest.
