The SAG-AFTRA President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement hosted its final livestream of the year, the 2020 Annual Winter Celebration, on Dec. 17. Although typically a Los Angeles Local-based event, the party took place virtually this year, allowing members across the nation to take part. More than 700 members viewed the celebration, proving that nothing can stand in the way of a SAG-AFTRA soirée!
Emceeing the event were SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, Executive Vice President and New York Local President Rebecca Damon, Secretary-Treasurer Camryn Manheim and National Executive Director David White, who shared heartfelt words with members throughout the program. Also joining in on the fun were SAG-AFTRA national vice presidents Clyde Kusatsu, Bob Butler, Dan Navarro, Michele Proude and William Charlton, along with Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, who greeted members at the start of the program.
“It’s because of you that we have been able to reopen the industry, get people back to work, and create and enforce strong protections for our members,” said Carteris in her opening remarks. “As we reflect on this past year and commit to the new year, I urge us to continue reaching out to each other with love and support.”
Celebration activities included a slideshow about union performers’ unique history with Christmas, a special cooking segment by celebrity chef Curtis Stone and a special recorded message from local presidents. There were also special musical performances from Navarro, Nashville Local Board member Bob Bailey and SAG-AFTRA National and New York Local Singers Committee member John James.
But even with this amount of holiday cheer, no one was prepared for a visit from the jolliest Christmas celebrator of all, Ol’ Saint Nick himself.
“Over the years, so many SAG-AFTRA members have played me on TV and in films, and you've been absolutely wonderful! In my opinion, you can never have enough Santas! I wish you all a joyful holiday and a safe and healthy new year,” he said.
If you missed out on the holiday fun, don’t worry! The livestream can be viewed below. Visit SAG-AFTRA’s Video Gallery or YouTube channel for more videos and livestream events.
Happy holidays to you and yours.
Union leaders gathered together via Zoom to start off the 2020 Annual Winter Celebration with an optimistic toast to the new year.
The first performance was by SAG-AFTRA Nashville Local Board member Bob Bailey, with a soulful rendition of “Go Tell it on the Mountain.”
Vice President, Broadcasters, Bob Butler recognized the hard work broadcasters have been doing in 2020.
SAG-AFTRA National and New York Local Singers Committee member John James puts on a beautiful performance of “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
SAG-AFTRA National Board member Joe Krebs thanks broadcasters for their diligence and thanks union leadership for introducing protocols to ensure broadcaster safety in the field.
SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Recording Artists/Singers, Dan Navarro performs an original holiday song.
Santa makes a surprise guest appearance before wrapping up 2020.
None of us would ever have imagined what has happened. It's been a year of loss, loneliness and fear, but on the other side of that, it has also been a year of love, strength and solidarity.
Gabrielle Carteris
SAG-AFTRA President
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