William Shatner will trade his Star Trek uniform for western wear and a horse in a "terrifying" performance when he joins Willie Nelson for William Shatner's Hollywood Charity Horse Show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center next week.
Shatner, 78, who starred in the original Star Trek TV show and numerous Star Trek films, will perform on one of his own horses during the show, including a "kind of scary" trick in which he rides at full gallop towards a wall, stopping suddenly just before hitting the barrier, according to event spokesperson Cherry Hepburn.
"It's very terrifying," she said of that part of the performance.
Hepburn said Shatner, who is putting on the 19th annual version of his charity show April 25 to benefit "special-needs children" in Los Angeles, didn't know Nelson before asking the famed country singer to perform at the show.
"But he does now," she said, recalling that Shatner asked her to track down Nelson on the phone. An assistant to Nelson heard Shatner was calling, Hepburn said, and immediately provided Nelson's cell phone number on his traveling band bus.
Hepburn said the annual event raises between $350,000 and $600,000 each year for a number of charities that provide services to children, many of whom come from lower-income families.
Among the charities are Ahead With Horses that provides equestrian training for autistic children and the Camp Max Straus Foundation that offers children two-week camp experiences. Other charities also help fund essential medical procedures.
General tickets are available for $250 each, but VIP $350 tickets have already sold out. Capacity is 600, and in addition to the horse show with numerous riders and Willie Nelson's performance, the night will include dinner and a silent auction, according to Hepburn.
Shatner was quoted in a statement as saying that the event has over the years been able to help thousands of young people "thanks to the support we receive from our generous sponsors and attendees. We are so fortunate to have the great talent of Willie Nelson for entertainment. He is really terrific and generous with his time and energy."
