Roberts and Matthews team up for charity

NEW YORK, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Film star Julia Roberts has agreed to act as host of a special Dave Matthews Band concert in New York to benefit Stand Up For A Cure, the charity said.

The event is to take place Sept. 10 at Madison Square Garden and will be preceded by a private VIP party,featuring disc jockey Samantha Ronson, the New York non-profit group announced Wednesday.

Stand Up For A Cure said it created the 2008 Concert Series as a yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for lung cancer research and treatment. The series has featured performances by Bon Jovi, Jerry Seinfeld and Brian Wilson.

"We are thrilled at the range of artists who have opted to shine a light on the need for funding and awareness this year," Jordan Belkin, founder and executive producer of Stand Up For A Cure, said in a statement. "The combination of world-class entertainment, underwritten by generous corporate and private citizens, and the support and interest from the public and the media is a testament to what can be accomplished when public figures lend a hand to a worthy cause."

Tickets for the Sept. 10 show can be purchased through Ticketmaster using the password dmbcure.

Exclusive VIP packages can also be purchased directly from the charity by calling 212-209-3871.

A portion of ticket sales is tax deductible, the organization said.