When Keep Memory Alive (the fundraising arm of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, and its mission to fund research and programs that improve the lives of patients and families affected by brain disorders) presents its annual Power of Love™ gala, on Saturday, March 16, guests sipping Dom Pérignon will toast the legendary Lionel Richie, along with many musical surprises (Shania Twain!  Snoop Dogg!  NE-YO!  Leona Lewis!) and celebrity guests; and will also celebrate the presentation of the Keep Memory Alive Caregiver Hero Award to Lonnie Ali, the devoted wife of the late, great Muhammad Ali.  And this year, Chef Wolfgang Puck will be joined in the kitchens by Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park and The NoMad. 

And once again, guests will participate in one of the most fabulous luxury auctions in all the land.  This year, the live auction will contain fifteen lots, each more extravagant, exciting, and (to borrow some slang that the kids are using, in its most positive connotation) “extra,” than the last.  Below, are the lots and their description.

Lot Number 101 – 49ers VIP Tailgate and Dinner with Michael Mina
Estimated value: Priceless | Courtesy of Chef Michael Mina, The Mina Group, and The San Francisco 49ers

Six guests will fly on a private plane from Las Vegas to San Francisco and enjoy VIP tailgating followed by a game and dinner. This tailgating experience takes place at Tailgate, a one-of-a-kind, members-only club tailored to Levi’s® Stadium seat holders. Inspired by the experience of a backyard barbeque with friends on an NFL Sunday, Michael Mina’s Tailgate provides an innovative twist on the classic get-together. Next up, great seats at Levi’s® Stadium, to watch the San Francisco 49ers in action. After the game, your group heads back to Tailgate where you can discuss the game’s highlights at a private dinner prepared by Chef Michael Mina inside his restaurant! This is one game-day experience you do not want to miss!

Lot Number 102 – Kentucky Derby Weekend Getaway
Estimated Value: Priceless | Courtesy of Bruce Zoldan, Phantom Fireworks, Muhammad Ali Center, and Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Nevada

Check this off your bucket list! Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has hosted thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Your first-class experience is sponsored by Bruce Zoldan, President of Phantom Fireworks and the owner of 2011 Kentucky Derby-winner Animal Kingdom. Your VIP visit to the 2019 race includes: Two tickets to the Thursday evening pre-party on Thursday, May 2 / Admission for two at the exclusive Turf Club for Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 3 / Two VIP tickets at the Turf Club for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4 / Hotel accommodations for three nights.  As a special addition to this trip, visit the Muhammad Ali Center, a non-profit museum and cultural center dedicated to the legendary boxer, and enjoy a private tour. Cap off the Kentucky adventure with a tasting and tour at a whiskey distillery.

Lot Number 103 – Audemars Piguet “Royal Oak” Watch in Frosted Pink Gold
Estimated Value: $49,600 | Courtesy of Audemars Piguet North America, Inc.

A shining reinvention of an iconic design, this ladies watch celebrates the 40th anniversary of the women’s Royal Oak. This 18K pink gold watch scintillates with the allure of “diamond dust” sparkle thanks to tiny, light-refracting indentations – the result of a hammering technique, perfected by Audemars Piguet craftspeople as the wholly contemporary frosted gold finishing.  The new pink gold-toned dial is a perfect match for the case and bracelet. The stunning timepiece embodies a singular elegant design while retaining the bold character of the traditional Royal Oak.

Lot Number 104 – Ooh La La! A French Excursion
Estimated Value: $30,000 | Courtesy of Garmany Golf, Guy Savoy, Ritz Paris, and Dom Pérignon

Your France experience for two begins in the historic city of Normandy, where you’ll enjoy luxurious, five-star accommodations at the Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy overlooking the coastal town of Deauville. With its central location, you can stroll the Planches boardwalk and visit the wonderful shops, museums, and casinos. You will also have the opportunity to fine-tune your golf game on the historic links at Golf Barrière Deauville.  Next, take a historic D-Day tour. Spend the day visiting Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, the Musée de Débarquement at Arromanches, and Sainte-Mère-Église, the first French city to be liberated. Rudy Passera, a leading WWII historian, will be your private tour guide.  Finally, you’re off to the City of Lights: Paris, where you will enjoy three nights at the Ritz Paris along with breakfast at Les Matins de l’Espadon.  Here you’ll take a VIP tour of Louis XIV’s extravagant Palace of Versailles, as well as take a day trip to Epernay for an afternoon tour and tasting at Dom Pérignon. You will also enjoy lunch at the Michelin-starred Guy Savoy and play a round of golf at Le Golf National, site of the 2018 Ryder Cup.  Remember your visit with a very rare, six-liter bottle of Dom Pérignon from 1995, one of the finest years in recent history, in a special case.

Lot Number 105 – Tennis, Anyone?
Estimated Value: Priceless | Courtesy of Stefanie Graf & Andre Agassi

Hit the court for a memorable experience with tennis greats Stefanie Graf and Andre Agassi. You will join the duo courtside for a special private lesson in Las Vegas.  Capture the thrill of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity during a photo session with Steffi and Andre.

Lot Number 106 – Set Sail on THE WORLD
Estimated Value: $23,450 | Courtesy of THE WORLD Residences at Sea

Spend the week exploring the most exotic and well-traveled destinations in the world with this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The World, the largest private residential ship on the planet at 644 feet, traverses the globe and takes residents on new adventures every few days with a wide range of itineraries. This package includes a seven-consecutive-night voyage on any of the ship’s scheduled itineraries. Your one-bedroom stay for two guests will include all meals, nonalcoholic beverages, select wines, spirits, and champagnes from around the world, as well as all gratuities and port charges.

Lot Number 107 – Wine and Dine with Diane Keaton
Estimated Value: Priceless | Courtesy of Diane Keaton

Have you tried The Keaton? Well, now you can! You and three guests can join Academy Award-winning actress-director-producer-author-vintner Diane Keaton for dinner at Madeo Ristorante in Beverly Hills for an evening of food, fun and lots of laughter. Diane drinks hers on ice...do you dare?  In addition to dinner, you will take home one case of The Keaton Red and one case of The Keaton White Blend, from Diane and her winemakers. This is guaranteed to be an enchanting evening with one of Hollywood’s most compelling leading actresses, and the recipient of the American Film Institute’s 2017 AFI Life Achievement Award.

Continued in Part 2...

2019 Power of Love™ gala
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Saturday, March 16th
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#KMA