AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
EDWARD JAMES OLMOS SPEAKS OUT FOR DIVERSITY
IN SONOMA COUNTY

Calling for a celebration of diversity and an end to gang violence, Olmos presents
“We’re All in the Same Gang” October 22 at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

Santa Rosa, CA (September 28, 2006)--Regarded as one of the most influential actors, directors and producers, and the voice of Latin America in Hollywood, Edward James Olmos presents, “We’re All in the Same Gang” on October 22nd at 8pm at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts.

Named by Hispanic Magazine as the nation's most influential Hispanic American, Olmos is a respected actor and a passionate community activist. An award winner on Broadway (Zoot Suit), in film (Stand and Deliver, Selena, Blade Runner), and on television (Miami Vice, American Family), he currently stars on the Sci-Fi Channel's critically-acclaimed hit show Battlestar Gallactica—which was recently named the most watched drama in the world. Olmos also directed HBO's Walkout, a drama that tells the true but little-known story of a group of Chicano students who staged a compelling 1968 walkout to protest the injustices of the public high-school system in East Los Angeles.

Born in Los Angeles, Olmos credits his early life in the Boyle Heights neighborhood for his love of “the beauty of diversity,” explaining that on his street alone were Hispanics, native Americans, Koreans, Chinese, Mexicans and Russians. In his presentation, “Were All in the Same Gang,” Olmos tells the inspiring story of how he survived the barrio and succeeded. One of the first public figures to take to the streets to help restore Los Angeles neighborhoods following the 1992 riots, Olmos emphasizes the need for all races to work together and how diversity in our society can work to our advantage. “Violence is not a judicial problem,” says Olmos, “it’s a health problem, like polio, AIDS, or heart disease. We need to use preventative medicine.”

Olmos is well known for carrying his cause into his work in Hollywood, which has earned him an Emmy, two Golden Globes and the L.A. Drama Circle Award. He has been nominated for an Oscar, a Tony and three additional Emmy awards. In 1999, Olmos launched a nationwide multimedia project called "Americanos: Latino Life in the United States," which was designed to inspire Latino pride and to build bridges among Latinos and others. He was honored with a Golden Globe award and an Emmy nomination for his work in HBO's The Burning Season, the story of Brazilian political activist Chico Mendes.

Olmos also participates in many humanitarian efforts, including serving as the U.S. Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and executive director of the Lives in Hazard Educational Project, a national gang prevention program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Fargo Center for the Arts presents Edward James Olmos “We’re All in the Same Gang” on Sunday, October 22nd at 8pm. The presentation in the first in the Center’s 2006-2007 Copperfield’s Books Readers Series.

Tickets are available at the Box Office, 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa, by phone at 707-546-3600, and online at www.wellsfargocenterarts.com.

Print quality artist images available at:

http://www.wellsfargocenterarts.com/docs/contact/media.html

The non-profit Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is the North Bay's premier arts organization presenting world-class performances, contemporary sculpture, festivals, and events to 500,000 residents and visitors each year. Together with its resident companies, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts provides more than 100 annual performances, serves to present intriguing contemporary art, and is one of California's largest providers of arts education programs for children. Located in the heart of the Wine Country, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts campus features spacious auditoriums, an intimate cabaret, and outdoor festival grounds with a big-top tent. Unlike many similar organizations, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is not aligned with any federal, state, or municipal entity-such as a city or university. The Center was created by and is supported by the community it serves, making it uniquely positioned as an independent, entrepreneurial-focused, non-profit arts organization. We serve to Enrich, Educate and Entertain - Connecting Our Community through the Arts.