The Oscars

Oscar Night America (ONA) launches into its 16th year in 2009, bringing the excitement of the red carpet and live Oscar broadcast directly to 52 cities nationwide. ONA, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' grassroots program that enables local charities to host glamorous Oscar® viewing parties and raise money for their organizations, generated more than $3.3 million for a wide spectrum of charities in 51 cities nationwide last year.

"Even in the best of times, the need for financial support keeps growing. So this year we're especially gratified to have so many cities and charities participating in Oscar Night America," said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis.

Most of the ONA parties are black-tie affairs, though some are less formal. Some partygoers dress up as famous couples, and some events feature limousine arrivals and red carpets complete with local celebrities, paparazzi and press interviews for arriving guests.

Only one charity party in a given market may participate in ONA. Events are entirely produced by local nonprofit organizations, with the active participation of the local ABC-TV affiliate station. Every dollar stays in the community where it was raised.

Hosting official Oscar viewing parties during the 81st Academy Awards® ceremony this year will be newcomer Grand Rapids, Michigan, plus these other ONA locations: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Greenville, Hartford, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Lewisburg, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Omaha, Orlando, Palm Beach, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Springfield (MO), Tampa, Tucson and Washington, D.C.