FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 9/23/2008

George Ohr and Beau Rivage Team Up for the "Pop-OHR-azzi"

Tickets on Sale Now for Beau Rivage’s Annual Gala for the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum

BILOXI, Miss. –The red carpet will be rolled out and the PopOHRazzi will be on hand Oct. 16 as the who’s who on the Gulf Coast gather to meet, mingle, dine and donate at the Seventh Annual George Ohr Gala, Beau Rivage’s annual black-tie event to benefit the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art. The Mississippi Gulf Coast’s premier “A-List” event will celebrate the art, style and wit of George Ohr, the Mad Potter of Biloxi with cocktails, a five-course dinner, fashion show, silent and live auctions and an opportunity to meet this year’s featured clothing designer at an after-party reception.

“Beau Rivage has been a strong supporter of Ohr since day one,” said George P. Corchis, Jr., president and chief operating officer of MGM MIRAGE’s Mississippi resorts, which includes Beau Rivage in Biloxi and the Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Miss. “We are proud to host the annual social event of the season and have 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.”

This year’s theme, PopOHRazzi, celebrates the Hollywood of today with a distinct nod - compliments of this year’s featured clothing designer - to Hollywood’s glamour of yesteryear. The classic clothing featured in the fashion show is designed by Natchez, Mississippi native Hilton Hollis. The southern-bred stylist trained with noted designers Calvin Klein, John Bartlett and Dana Buckman before launching his own line in 2005. Each of his collections features flawless tailoring, luxurious Italian fabrics and his trademark architectural seaming. “Elegance is coming back,” said Hilton Hollis. “My line is geared toward women with a refined taste level; simple and ageless, a throwback to the Hollywood glamour days.”

The high-energy fashion show will take a look at our celebrity obsessed culture with plenty of attitude from Hollywood’s young and old guard. The newly-crowned 2008 Miss Mississippi Christine Kozlowski will be one of the evening’s runway models. Immediately following the fashion show, local “celebrities” will model an assortment of Hilton Hollis fashions available for purchase in a live auction.

This year’s silent auction offers everything from fine art and jewelry to gift baskets and Botox.

Beau Rivage Executive Chef Joseph Friel and his culinary team will serve a delectable menu featuring hot and cold hor d’oeuvres, a trio of appetizers, a cheese course and an entrée of Kobe ribs and Maine Lobster. In keeping with tradition, Executive Pastry Chef Johnny Saycocie will unveil a surprise dessert.

“The Beau has always had that special touch when it comes to throwing a gala, but this party promises to be over the top,” says Event Chair Judy Steckler.

The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail hour in the Magnolia Ballroom. The silent auction will take place until 8:45 p.m. Runway tables are priced at $3,000 for 10 people (sold out), Fashionista tables are $2,500 for 10 people and general admission tickets are $200 per person and can be purchased at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art or by calling (228) 374-5547.

Beau Rivage is offering a special room rate of $99.00 to guests of the event. For hotel reservations, call (228) 386-7111.

Proceeds from the event will support museum exhibits and programs. This will be the seventh 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.

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For More Information:
Mary Cracchiolo-Spain, Beau Rivage
mcracchiolo@beaurivage.com
(228) 386-7134