Derby Eve…the precipice overlooking the greatest 2 minutes, at the end of a kicked up, diet-busting, late night dancing, alcohol consuming, hat wearing, week was our invitation to the 24th annual American Lung Association Derby Eve Gala sponsored by Kindred Healthcare at The Seelbach. Promising to be a first-class evening of entertainment, it delivered on all accounts.
First of all, what can you say about The Seelbach, you just want to go there. It stands like the original interstellar anomaly whose gravity pulls you into its center. It is to Louisville luxury hotels what the deep state is to Washington D.C. An ever-present force, a seen and unseen establishment always pressing its case, and, it’s cool. It is history and future all in one with a huge kick-ass Medallion Ballroom, enormous chandeliers, big stage, bigger dance floor, and courteous attentive help.
To begin we milled about enjoying our cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres. There was an interesting version of the Moscow Mule made with vodka and ginger beer and the Lily was refreshing and light. In the ballroom, we found our table with a clipped green salad waiting for us with candied pecans, dried cranberry, and creamy balsamic. Between our salad and main course, we hit the dance floor with everyone else. A scrumptious original Rathskeller recipe of filet of beef, blue cheese crumbles, crispy ham, and crimini mushrooms awaited.
The theme of the night was The Magic Of Motown. This was delivered to us by a group of talent, beauty, and sequins, named “Burning Las Vegas.” They killed it. This is a group of seasoned professionals that deliver their parts so well it makes your little toe shoot up in its boot. They played everything. They played it all, and they kept going. And what truly Kentucky Derby Gala isn’t complete without a crazy, loud, fast, imina, imina, imina, Sold! Auctioneer. Inviting you to bid on experiences like a press conference in the stables the morning after Derby, Indy time trials as a guest of Motorsports Verizon Indy Car Series Team, or a tasting of Pappy VanWinkle 12 year, 15 year, and 20 year reserve with THE Pappy VanWinkle.
We spilled onto the sidewalk like two innocents pushed out of daycare to the thundering open party and concert on 4th street. It was a Louisville turned into Manhattan on New Year’s Eve experience. The asphalt packed with moving people and bus after bus and I, for one, was very happy we had decided to go valet parking.
We want to thank The American Lung Association for inviting Yes Louisville, and to Yes Louisville for allowing me to tag along. This Gala supports the fight against lung disease, which is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Contributions help fund medical research, patient services, education, and advocacy. To learn more go to http://www.lung.org/
DJWord