Public Invited to MBP’s “Taste of the Tournament”

Festive Evening of Food, Fun & Entertainment

  (Baton Rouge, La.) The Taste of the Tournament Par-Tee and Auction, a much anticipated and unique signature event held annually, is just around the corner. One of Mary Bird Perkins’ largest fundraisers, the event is generously underwritten this year by Louisiana Lottery Corporation and presented by the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel. The fun and festive evening will be Thursday May 5, 6:30 pm in the Capital Atrium at the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel. It will feature cocktails and fabulous cuisine from Baton Rouge’s premier restaurants and caterers and will include musical entertainment by the V-Tones. “We’re really excited to include the V-Tones this year – it will be a true party atmosphere, and the silent auction is going to be fantastic,” said Renee Furr, one of the Honorary Chairs along with her husband Brett, and Dee and Stephen Keller. “This year’s silent auction has a range of unique package offerings such as a safari adventure party, backyard crawfish boil, a traditional Southern quail hunt, an escape to the “Big Easy”, along with a host of other great items,” explained Dee Keller. Event Co-Chairs are DeSha Carter, Lauren Ferrand and Emily Mayo. One silent auction item in particular is causing quite a stir. Lories, an original 40×30 oil painting on canvas valued at $15,000, has been generously donated by internationally renowned artist Hunt Slonem, courtesy of Marlborough Gallery. Paintings by this New York artist hang in more than 100 museum collections around the world, including Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the Smithsonian Institution and the New Orleans Museum of Art. Mr. Slonem, the subject of numerous books and publications, owns two 19th century homes in the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center service area in southern Louisiana. Bidding on this one specific item is open now through May 13 at www.marybird.org/taste where you can also view the painting. Private viewings are available by appointment by calling (225) 215-1248. Tickets for this event are $100 each. Proceeds from ticket and auction sales will provide: •    Cancer treatment services for the uninsured. •    Prevention and education services for the community •    Lifesaving early detection screenings with a special emphasis on medically underserved populations. •    Vital transportation services for patients who need assistance getting to their cancer treatments. For additional information, please contact Danielle Mack at (225) 215-1248 or dmack@marybird.com. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has been fighting cancer for over 40 years with locations in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma and Gonzales. It has comprehensive cancer programs with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. These programs are accredited by the American College of Surgeons – the gold standard for community-based cancer care. For more information visit www.marybird.org.