On Thursday night, the biggest names from the music and culinary world came together at the Keep Memory Alive Event Center for a special benefit in honor of chef Kerry Simon who has been battling the effects of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) for several years, with the confirmation diagnosis coming just late last year. The event saw 450 guests and raised nearly $525,000 towards MSA clinical care and research.
The rock ‘n roll cocktail party kicked off with a VIP reception where celebrities and guests mingled and stopped on the purple (Purple is the color of MSA awareness!) carpet to honor Kerry, a highly respected chef and great friend to so many of us. Chefs including Daniel Boulud, Kim Canteenwalla, Wylie DuFresne, Grant MacPherson, Michael Mina, Rick Moonen, Justin Nilson, Charlie Palmer, Megan Romano, Mark Tarbell and Jean-Georges Vongerichten prepared an amazing culinary dine around with whimsical and creative dishes for guests to enjoy.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman took the stage to honor Kerry with a proclamation while husband former Mayor Oscar Goodman watched from the side of the stage. After a live auction raised $152,000 to add to the night’s fundraising efforts, actor Bill Murray grabbed the mic and had the crowd hooked. With his stories of their past (Murray and Kerry worked at a Little Caesars Pizza together at the start of their careers), he used humor to introduce the incredible night of performers that included Alice Cooper, Slash, Sammy Hagar, Vince Neil, Todd Rundgren, Matt Sorum, J.D. Fortune, Lisa Loeb and Billy Duffy all backed by Vegas’ favorite band Sin City Sinners.
As all the acts banded together onstage for the finale “With A Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles, Vince Neil explained, “This is a Motely Crue up here,” as the audience cheered. The crowd heard all the classic hits from the collection of artists including “School’s Out,” “I Can’t Drive 55” and “Girls, Girls, Girls” among many other collaborations.
Following the event, the chefs and musicians had a chance to relax amidst an array of food at Simon Restaurant and Lounge at Palms Place that was put together by chefs Barry Dakake, Richard Tapia, Mark Purdy and Tammy Alana. Chris Clouse, who has performed at Kerry’s restaurants over the years, provided a lively night of tunes as everyone had a chance to really enjoy the end of a wonderful evening.
Click on the photos below to enlarge.
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