St. Jude Red Carpet Bash makes the right moves

“Monte Carlo” was the theme of the 12th St. Jude Red Carpet Bash. The event usually is held during the cold weather months, so Saturday night’s balmy weather and the location, Hollywood Casino, fit the theme perfectly.

When they weren’t partying, guests dropped some money, Monaco style, at the casino.

Asked why t he event was moved this year, Lisa Ellis, senior regional events specialist with ALSAC/St. Jude, said, “No real huge reason other than finding a date when there wasn’t another event.”

And, she said, “Having it in the summertime would fit the Monte Carlo theme.”

The live auction included a trip to Antigua, a Carnival cruise and a 1-ounce Krugerrand South African gold coin.

The Red Carpet Bash also included drinks, a buffet dinner and music from DJ Mark Anderson’s Party Train.

FEELING THE BEAT

The music of Los Cantadores as well as those summery cicadas were heard as guests arrived at the Taste of Caribe fundraiser for the International Children’s Heart Foundation Saturday night at Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects Inc.

The event, which included a VIP area, featured cigars from Procigar, which is headquartered in the Dominican Republic, and Caribbean cuisine.

A total of $17,500 was raised, said Bryan Artiles, International Children’s Heart Foundation director of marketing. “We actually had less of a turnout, but we sold many more VIPS and we raised much more money,” Bryan said.

Dr. William Novick, founder and medical director of the International Children’s Heart Foundation, and his wife, Elizabeth, were among the attendees.

10TH ANNUAL ACE

PGA champ Shaun Micheel and his wife, Stephanie, were on hand when The Shaun Micheel Make-A-Wish Golf Tournament celebrated its 10th anniversary with a three-layer cake June 23 at the pairings party at the Rendezvous. The cake was made by Lorie Laird, a past Make-A-Wish of the Mid-South Wish Child and owner of Cakes by Mom and Me.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South has granted more than 4,100 wishes since it began in 1986, said Miranda Harbor, Make-A-Wish director of community outreach. The group grants wishes to children 2½ to 18 years of age who have life-threatening medical conditions.

At this year’s pairings party, a wish was granted to Finley Barger, 8, whose wish was to take a Disney Cruise with her family.

Steve Conley and Ron Olson emceed the event. Gerry Finney and Doug Pettey, with some guitar help from Shaun, performed.

The golf tournament, held the next day at TPC Southwind, raised more than $232,000. “Shaun and Stephanie were so wonderful, as usual, and we were thrilled beyond belief with the results of the tournament,” Miranda said.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL DONAHUE THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL Erica Pearson and Kyle Krag attended the St. Jude Red Carpet Bash.

Dr. William and Elizabeth Novick and Carol Jameson were at Taste of Caribe.

Whitney Thompson was Malibu Barbie and her husband, Jordan, was Blake from “Workaholics” at the Big Wig Ball, a fundraiser for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Friday night at Central Station.

John Daley (left) and Avery Poynter were in the Taste of Caribe crowd.

Paul (left) and David Mowry were at the Shaun Micheel Make-A-Wish Golf Classic pairings party at the Rendezvous.

Nick Vergos (from left), Jack Dyson and Shaun Micheel celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Shaun Micheel Make-A-Wish Golf Classic .

Alisha Kimber (from left), Ashley Kimber and Stacy Brown were at the Red Carpet Bash.

Jackie Sparks and Paul Holliday attended the Taste of Caribe fundraiser.