NEW ORLEANS More than a dozen celebrities are participating in talks and activities for aging Americans at the national conference of the AARP this week in New Orleans.
Highlights include a Friday evening red carpet walk with Billy Crystal at a screening of his latest film, "Parental Guidance," and a Saturday sit-down with actors Cicely Tyson, Ben Vereen and LeVar Burton, 35 years after the Emmy-winning ABC miniseries in which they starred, "Roots."
A Saturday night concert with Nicks, Gladys Knight and Melissa Etheridge will be held at the New Orleans Arena. Other AARP conference and exposition events run Thursday through Saturday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The event is expected to attract some 20,000 people.
It will also be a presidential campaign stop for Republican Mitt Romney's running mate, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. President Barack Obama is expected to address attendees via satellite. Both are speaking Friday about Social Security, Medicare, jobs and finances.
"We also care about what happens to our kid and grandkids, so these issues really transcend age and affect everyone in this country," said C.B. Wismar, the vice president for AARP events.
Sunday May 19th, 2013 • 7:42:01pm
