|
E!'s Khloe Kardashian and Poker Champ Jamie Gold Host 3rd Annual Urban Health Institute Celebrity Poker Tournament Fundraiser on Saturday, May 17
A-List Celebrities, Top Poker Pros and Ace Physicians Converge on the Legendary Playboy Mansion in a High Stakes Night for Charity
Don Cheadle, Anthony Anderson, Aaron McGruder, Salli Richardson Whitfield, Dondre Whitfield and Special Guest DJs Idris Elba, Spinderella Among Confirmed Celebs
Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com) - On Saturday night, May 17, 2008, what happens in Vegas stays at Beverly Hills' famed Playboy Mansion when the Urban Health Institute presents its Third Annual Celebrity Poker Tournament and Casino Night hosted by Khloe Kardashian from the hit E! reality show Keeping Up with The Kardashians and 2006 World Series of Poker Champion Jamie Gold. $50,000 worth of prizes, beautiful Playboy bunnies, the most recognizable sports and entertainment personalities and authentic Vegas-style competition will make this night an unforgettable experience - all for a worthy cause.
At last year's event, Dancing With the Stars' Shannon Elizabeth eliminated Academy Award(TM) nominated actor Don Cheadle, Jennifer Tilly, Dr. Jerry Buss, Mekhi Phifer and others including real-life poker Pros Annie Duke, Steve Dannenman, and Phil Laak, to take home the grand prize. The event raised more than $50,000 for UHI's health-related programs.
This year's competition promises to be even more fierce, with the grand prize winner receiving a coveted seat in the WSOP(TM) World Championship No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em tournament in Las Vegas and other top-drawer prizes. Confirmed celebrity participants include Don Cheadle, Anthony Anderson, Idris Elba, Dondre Whitfield and Salli Richardson Whitfield, Aaron McGruder, Glynn Turman, Claudia Jordan, Tommy Ford, Olivia Brown, Mellyssa Ford, Antonio Pierce (NY Giants), 80's R&B heartthrob and radio personality Al B. Sure, Carl Payne, Chris Spencer, Kevin Hart, Mad Mike (MTV's Pimp My Ride), F. Gary Gray (Film Director - The Negotiator, The Italian Job), 104.3 My Fm's Valentine, KTLA's Mark Kristi, and the Brunson Family (professional poker players) among others. Special celebrity guest DJ Spinderella will provide the soundtrack for the night, aided by a special performance from So So Def Recordings artist J-Kwon.
The stakes are high and seats are filling quickly, but not just with celebrities. If amateur poker players have $1500 to buy-in and the skills to compete, they may earn bragging rights for besting a Hollywood heavy-hitter or a real pro. Or, participants can contribute $500 and try their luck at roulette, craps, blackjack and other casino games for great prizes, as the grounds of the Playboy Mansion are transformed into a Vegas Casino for one magical night.
There's a silent auction where attendees can bid on fabulous signed memorabilia, trips for two, jewelry, spa packages and much more hosted by Bang the Gavel. Jamie Gold will auction off a private poker lesson, and ticketed guests are automatically entered to win a VIP Mandalay Weekend Package which includes 2 premium tickets to the Judah vs. Mosley bout, as well as accommodations and dinner at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.
Online registration is available at www.uhievents.org
The Urban Health Institute (UHI) is a non-profit organization, founded by Los Angeles-based physician, Kevin Brown, to provide direct care, medicine and medical equipment in response to natural and man-made disasters. The organization enlists pro-bono participation from local health care professionals to provide public health education and information about the availability of health-related and specialty care resources in disadvantaged communities around the globe. Proceeds from this event will go directly to fund the Urban Health Institute's monthly health education seminars, quarterly health fairs and purchase medical supplies for underserved communities locally and abroad.
Dr. Brown and his Urban Health Institute colleagues organized this event at the Playboy Mansion in an effort to bring visibility to their imperative work, while offering potential donors a once-in-a-lifetime experience. "The work we do is hard and sometimes discouraging when we are limited by lack of funding," said Dr. Brown. "Creating an opportunity for folks to experience the Playboy Mansion, play an exciting game and mingle with stars is great incentive beyond supporting a worthy cause." Last year's event helped support UHI's recent medical mission to remote Nigerian villages, as well as ongoing local health clinics and fairs.
This year's event is sponsored by media partners Card Player Magazine, LA.com, Skinnie Magazine, 104.3MYfm, Remy Martin, Screaming O, and Rolling Out Magazine.
For pre-event interview opportunities, artwork and media credentials requests, please contact Tosha Whitten-Griggs at 202-246-7875 or tosha_whittengriggs@hotmail.com. For more information about the Celebrity Poker Tournament please contact Yvette McNally at 323-791-9791 or visit www.uhievents.org. To learn more about the Urban Health Institute, please visit their website at www.uhinstitute.org
CONTACT:
Yvette McNally
323-791-9791
Yvette@simplyeventsla.com
Tosha Whitten-Griggs
202-246-7875
tosha_whittengriggs@hotmail.com
|
