Danny Zelisko (DZP) and Celebrity Theatre raise money for local St. Mary’s Food Bank

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Danny Zelisk, Jerry Brown & Koz with Guitar Auction Check showing how much St. Mary's Food Bank received for 2024 at Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ on December 13th, 2024

A number of years ago, Jerry Brown from St. Mary’s Food Bank here in the valley would come to the Celebrity Theatre and sell raffle ticket for a $5 donation.  The winner of the raffle would be upgraded to seats within the first 4 rows of the venue.  Danny Zelisko (DPZ) was the promoter for a number of these shows.  A couple of years ago Danny asked Jerry about how much they got donated at each show.  After Danny heard the figure, he told Jerry that he might have a new and better idea.

Danny Zelisko & Jerry Brown from St. Mary’s Food Bank at José Feliciano Concert at Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ on December 13th, 2024

Danny, his people (DZP) and the Celebrity Theatre worked out a deal where they would have the preforming band sign a guitar and then auction it off prior to the show.  Danny and Celebrity Theatre also agreed to not receive any money from the auction and all of the proceeds would go directly to St Mary’s Food Bank.  They presented this Idea to Jerry and he was thrilled.

So, the other night I was at the José Feliciano show and prior to auctioning off a José signed acoustic guitar, Jerry Brown joined Danny on stage and KOZ (one of Danny’s employees) brought out a huge fake check (like the ones they show the lottery winners getting) that showed that this year alone, 2024, they raised over $137,000.  Jerry told us that for each dollar, they are able to provide 5 meals the less fortunate people here in the valley.  That is over 685,000 meals.

Danny Zelisko & Blu Parr with signed guitar to auction off for St. Mary’s Food Band prior to Dweezil Zappa & Band Concert at Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ on August 1st, 2024

I would like to personally thank Danny Zelisko, Blu Parr and all of DZP employees, the wonderful staff at the Celebrity Theatre and the artists for this amazing unselfish act.  But most of all I want to thank all of those individuals that bid on and those that won the auction for their charitable gifts.

Danny joked that he would like to see if they could beat this year’s record in 2025.  So, if you want to get a piece of music history from your favorite band or artist, please bring your wallet when you see a DZP & Celebrity Theatre concert.  One of these days, I might even win on of the bids.


Some of the signed guitars that were auctioned

Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2024, All Rights Reserved