FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BEAU RIVAGE AND OHR O’KEEFE MUSEUM OF ART ANNOUNCE 8th ANNUAL GEORGE OHR GALA
Tickets on Sale Now
for November Soiree
BILOXI, Miss. – Oct. 12, 2009 –Beau Rivage and Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art team up for the 8th Annual George Ohr Gala, the museum’s primary fundraiser and the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s social event of the season. Gulf Coast “Royalty” will be feted with cocktails, a four-course dinner, silent auction and dancing to the music of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
The museum, down to a year and counting for the opening of three of the five Frank Gehry designed buildings that will be its new campus, will highlight this accomplishment with Beau Rivage’s black tie optional fundraising gala themed “Let Them Eat Cake.” On Nov. 5, Beau Rivage and Ohr-O’Keefe invite “Mesdames et Messeurs” to embark on a revolution of art, style, sensibility and imagination as they step inside the ravishing and eccentric world of George Ohr in Beau Rivage’s exquisitely-decorated Magnolia Ballroom. Everything from the menu to the silent auction to the entertainment will echo celebration and excitement.
Beau Rivage Executive Chef Joseph Friel and his culinary team will serve a delectable menu featuring a first course of Potage Madame du Barry, cream of cauliflower soup; a second course of Sole Louis XV, filet of sole stuffed with lobster and topped with a crawfish cream; a third course of filet de Boeuf Talleyrand; seared center cut filet with truffle essence and sauce Choron, accompanied with pommes Dauphinoise and vegetable bouquetiere. Executive Pastry Chef Johnny Saycocie will provide the fourth course: Charlotte Russe; lady fingers layered with a strawberry Barvarian Cream, Mignardise Marie Antoinette petits fours.
Three unique vacation excursions will be featured among the more than 100 silent auction items.
Guests can bid on a Napa Valley Wine Country Experience featuring a chauffeur, ride on the wine train, five nights stay at the Meritage Resort and airfare for (2); a trip to Paris to the Cordon Bleu with a five night adventure and airfare for (2); and Golf in Ireland which includes six nights with (2) days of golf and airfare for (2). In addition to the themed trips, a stainless steel etching of the Frank Gehry line drawing done of the new museum campus, using the same metal for construction on the “Pods,” will be featured.
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This year’s chair, Judy Steckler, is “thrilled that Beau Rivage has committed its resources to the museum by hosting this wonderful event. The fact that the Beau underwrites the entire evening allows all 100 percent of funds raised to go directly to the Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art. This is a great partnership that was forged at the inception of the building of the new campus and we at the museum cannot thank Beau Rivage enough for their continued support.”
The event will begin at 6:00 pm with a cocktail reception and kick off to the silent auction, dinner will be served at 7:30 and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy take the stage at 9:00 pm. VIP tables are priced at $3000 (sold out); tickets are $375 per couple or $200 per individual and can be purchased by calling 228-374-5547 or emailing admin@georgeohr.org. Beau Rivage is offering a special room rate of $99.00 to guests of the event. For hotel reservations, call (228) 386-7111.
The Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art is committed to promoting and preserving the unique legacy of Biloxi Potter George E. Ohr and the diverse cultural heritage of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, reflecting the independent, innovative and creative spirit. Proceeds from the event will support museum exhibits and programs. This will be the eighth year Beau Rivage will donate all costs associated with the evening as part of its total commitment of $1 million to the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.
ABOUT OHR O’KEEFE MUSEUM OF ART:
On the shore of the Mississippi Sound, looking out toward the waters of the Gulf, a ground-breaking new museum is rising to showcase the extraordinary cultural legacy of the Southeastern United States and its influence on 20th and 21st century art. At its heart is the celebration of one particular genius, the legendary potter George E. Ohr. The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art will also showcase African American art, history and special exhibitions of regionally and nationally important contemporary artists. It will pay tribute to the Native Americans who first practiced their artistry at the museum’s site as well. Frank O. Gehry – the most fascinating and influential architect of our time-has designed a campus of extraordinary buildings on a terrace, all set with environmental sensitivity in a four acre grove of Live oaks. Gehry envisioned a building that would dance with the trees. Unfortunately, the museum was 11 months from completion when Hurricane Katrina hit. Rebuilding is underway and an expected opening is scheduled for late 2010. Temporarily, the museum and the Ohr Collection are housed at the Glenn Swetman House in Biloxi. Hours are daily 9-5. Please visit our website at www.georgeohr.org or call 228-374-5547.
ABOUT BEAU RIVAGE:
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, named one of the top 100 hotels in the continental United States and Canada by Travel + Leisure Magazine, opened on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1999. The property re-opened for business August 29, 2006 following a dramatic $550-million renovation. Beau Rivage is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE, the premier entertainment, hotel and gaming company in the world. For more information or to make reservations, call (888) 56-ROOMS or visit www.beaurivage.com.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mary Cracchiolo-Spain, Beau Rivage, 228-386-7134; mspain@beaurivage.com
Julie Gustafson, Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, 228-374-5547, community@georgeohr.com
