The biggest, most detailed list of Derby events, galas, and must do’s from your source for Kentucky Derby here on BourbonBlog.com and where to buy tickets. We will continue to bring you more Kentucky Derby 138 coverage.
If you know of an event and would like to see it listed, please email us at [email protected] along with all details, thanks and make plans now for these..
April 21, Friday
Kentucky Derby Museum Gala: Museum will celebrate Derby with an evening of dining and dancing. The Gala is the only annual fundraiser for the museum that directly benefits their endowment fund. ($50-$125) www.derbymuseum.org. Wach BourbonBlog.com’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby Museum Gala from a few years back…
April 28, Sunday
Brews, Bourbon and Bluegrass to Benefit the Backside: 7-9 p.m, hosted by Bluegrass Brewing Company and Four Roses Bourbon at BBC’s downtown location on 300 W Main St. Kentucky-themed appetizers and libations and Kentucky Bluegrass Band, Slow Charleston will play live.
Each guest will automatically be entered into drawings for Kentucky memorabilia and Derby event experiences.
Tickets are $20 per person. All admission proceeds and raffle tickets. Portion of food and drink sales will benefit the Backside Learning Center at Churchill Downs. Contact the Backside Learning Center at (502) 634-6543, BBC’s Melissa Purvis at (502) 562-0090 or visit www.bbcbrew.com.
May 1, Tuesday
Riverside Cigar Shop & Lounge: Celebrating Derby hosting three days in a row: Executive Vice President of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, Nish Pateln Tuesday May 1st,e founder and President of Primer Mundo Cigars, Sean Williams on Wednesday May 2nd , and Co- owner of RoMa Tobac, Skip Martin on Thursday, May 3rd.Customers. Boox discounts, cigar giveaways with purchases, and raffle prizes.
All the events will take place at the shop and lounge which is located at 201 Spring Street in Jeffersonville, Indiana and visit www.RiversideCigars.com for more info.
May 2, Wednesday
Great Steamboat Race: Time:4:30 – 5:30 PM Boarding. 5:30 PM Departure. Race at 6 PM.Tickets:T ickets for the Belle of Louisville cost $130 (includes food & drinks, and entertainment) and Belle of Cincinnati tickets cost $55(includes cruise only). NEW THIS YEAR, Four Roses Bourbon will be providing a special bourbon tasting on the Belle of Cincinnati; tickets cost $75 (includes food, cruise, and bourbon tasting). For tickets or more information, call (502) 584- FEST.
Watch BourbonBlog.com’s 2011 coverage of the Great Steamboat
Race below…
Social at the Silks – a cocktail party and meet-and-greet following the Great Steamboat Race on Wednesday, May 2 at Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar at the Galt House from 7 to 10 p.m.The event will include hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. a rare Four Roses Bourbon available at the Jockey Silks Bar – which was bottled from the barrel specially selected by a panel of judges chosen by the Derby Festival – Master Distiller Jim Rutledge and have a bottle personalized and signed by him.
Ambassador Al Young will also be there, to sign copies of his recently released book, “Four Roses: The Return of a Whiskey Legend” (while supplies last). First 100 to arrive will be given a special Four Roses Derby gift. The event is free and open to the public.
May 3, Thursday
Derby Soirée: Majid’s, St. Matthew’s 3930 Chenoweth Square. An exquisite five-course dinner prepared by Majid’s Complimentary Valent Service and access to the Rose Lounge (A premium, all night open bar)
Live Music by Mojo Flo and Ruchira Gupta, the Emmy-Award-winning founder of APNE AAP Women Worldwide will speak. All money raised will be donated to Rose Collar Foundation; benefitting its mission to combat sex trafficking globally byenabling families to achieve economic security through investing resources, sharing skills and facilitating education.
Dinner Tickets ($ 125)are limited and can be purchased by visiting rosecollar.org or by contacting our host David Son at (502) 540-1211. Rose Lounge Tickets are $50 in advacne or $75 at the door .
Taste of Derby, “The Perfect Derby Appetizer!” – Date: Thursday, May 3 at Louisville Executive Aviation Hangar at Bowman Field . Get tickets on http://www.kentuckyderby.com and watch BourbonBlog.com’s coverage of the Taste of Derby 2011 below.
Brandi Glanville
Ferdinand’s Ball: A black-tie event held at the Frazier Museum benefits Old Friends, which helps retired thoroughbreds. This year’s celebrity host is Real Housewife Brandi Glanville. Other star power slated to attend the bash are former NFL linebackerDhani Jones; Miss Kentucky 2011 Ann-Blair Thornton; three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Kent Desormeaux; and Tom Bulleit, founder of Bulleit Bourbon. Includes open bar, gourmet appetizers, rooftop entertainment & more. ($100-$500)http://www.ferdinandsball.com/
100 Black Men Gala: Buffet, cash bar and music by Frankie Beverly & Maze at the Ky. International Convention Center. Proceeds to benefit 100 Black Men of Louisville’s Scholarship campaign. ($200)http://www.100blackmenoflouisville.com/
Celebrity Day at the Downs: Meet Pegasus Parade grand marshal Cyndi Lauper and other big names at this annual luncheon event at Churchill Downs. ($99) http://kdf.org
Battle of the Bluegrass Charity Pool Tournament: New Derby event features former U of L football playersMichael Bush and Amobi Okoye. Former UK basketball player Darius Miller also will be in the house. They’ll be joined by Jeanette Lee, “The Black Widow” of pro pool. Proceeds for the event at Ice House benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana and Kickoff for Kids. ($50) www.jwagnergroup.com
Derby Poker Championship: “The Real Housewives of Orange County” star Vicki Gunvalson is the co-host of the fifth annual pro-celebrity tournament in the Seelbach Hilton’s Grand Medallion Ballroom. The event, also hosted by former University of Louisville basketball coach Denny Crum and poker legend Robert Williamson III. Proceeds benefit Blessings in a Backpack. ($80-$160 specators, $550 to play) www.derbypokerchampionship.com.
May 4, Friday (Kentucky Derby 138 Eve)
Barnstable Brown: Louisville’s quintessential Derby Eve party draws the biggest stars to benefit diabetes research. Celebrities include: Ashton Kutcher, Miranda Lambert, Kid Rock, Kellan Lutz, Tom Brady, The Band Perry, Jason Aldean, Boyz II Men, Paul Shaffer, Wynonna Judd, Cyndi Lauper, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Aaron Rodgers, Lindsey Vonn, Clay Walker, Travis Tritt, Eddie Montgomery, Erin Andrews, Joey Fatone, Mary Wilson, Kate Upton, Taylor Dayne, Bode Miller, Wes Welker, Vince Wilfork, Deion Branch, Larry Birkhead, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Lee Ann Womack, Brad Garrett, Terry O’Quinn, John Calipari,Anthony Davis, Darius Miller, Niki Taylor and Guy Fieri.
For information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contact Willie Barnstable at (502) 491-6778. ($1,250)
The Julep: An event to benefit the James Graham Brown Cancer Center. Brown-Forman Corp. is sponsoring the bash, which features University of Louisville head football coach Charlie Strong as one of the honorary chairs. Some of the hot-ticket names include Max Adler, Doris Roberts, David Arquette, Zachery Tyler Bryan, Fred Willard, Star Jones, Jonathan Kite, Christian Siriano, Kelly Cutrone, Angie Johnson, A.J. Hawk, Brady Quinn, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Shohreh Aghdashloo. Country music crooner Rodney Atkins will headline the entertainment.
The evening includes a red-carpet entrance, cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and silent auction at the Galt House. ($100-$500) http://www.thejulep.org/
Unbridled Eve: There’s a new Derby Eve gala on the scene this spring. Unbridled Eve, hosted by local sistersTonya York Dees and Tammy York Day, makes its debut on May 4 at the Galt House. Celebrity guests include Ice-T and wife Coco, Dennis Haysbert, Vicki Gunvalson, Quinton Aaron, Scott Grimes, Michael Bush, Ron White and wife Margo Rey, Bob Guiney, Warren Moon, Bonnie-Jill Laflin, Nora Roberts, Alabama’s Randy Owen, Thomas Howard, Brandon Lloyd, Benjamin Watson, Kamerion Wimbley, Darren McFadden, Jason Campbell, Rock Cartwright, Robert Williamson III, Jennifer Hoffman, Tim Couch, Kate Flannery and Oscar Nunez.
Tickets are ($500) visit http://www.unbridledeve.com
Maxim Fillies & Stallions: MAXIM brings sexy to the Mellwood Art Center with a red carpet, DJ and cocktails at this late night party. ($600) http://derbyexperiences.com
Derby Eve Gala: The Atlanta Allstars will perform at the event themed ‘A Southern Soiree!’. Cocktails and a gourmet dinner will be served at the Seelbach Hilton. ($300) http://www.derbyevegala.org
Derby Hot 100 Celebrity Event:10 pm to 6 am, Celebrate Derby Weekend in style with over 1,500 young professional, hollywood celebrities and NFL and NBA athletes. Walk red carpet, on stag DJs, open dance floor. Location: Downtown Louisville (Southeast Corner) 620 Barret Avenue, The New Diamond Location, (where Jillian’s used to be).
Visit www.DerbyHot100.com for more and ticket info. (Tickets – $100 to $5,000).
May 5, Saturday, Kentucky Derby 138 Day and Night
Night of… : Proceed from Galt House party benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. They’ll be rolling out the red carpet for a slew of legendary jockeys from the past and present, including John Velazquez (2011 Kentucky Derby winner), Ron Turcotte (Triple Crown winner on Secretariat) and Jean Cruguet (Triple Crown winner on Seattle Slew). Also in attendance will be jockeys Pat Day, Ramon Dominguez, Garrett Gomez, Rafael Bejarano, Joel Rosario, Julien Leparoux, Mike Smith and Javier Castellano. Auction will feature a red Solo cup that have both been autographed by country music star Toby Keith. Includes gourmet dinner, libations and entertainment by Party on the Moon.
Tickets are ($425) http://www.galthouse.com
T. I.’s Celebrity Derby Gala: Hosted by T.I. himself and Michael Bush, this party takes place at the Kentucky Expo Center and features a red carpet, VIP lounges and dinner. ($60-$100) www.ticketmaster.com
Silks in the Bluegrass: Includes cocktails, dinner and entertainment by Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals at the Crown Plaza Hotel. This year’s honorary chair is Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler. For reservations: (502) 777-6300. ($250) http://www.oparms.org/
Isaac Murphy Image Awards: The annual event is an evening of recognition and celebration at the KCAAH. This year they’ll honor lifetime achievement recipient Danny Glover. For tickets, contact the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage at 502-583-4100. ($500) http://kcaah.org
Darrell Griffith Foundation Experience: Cocktails, a buffet and live music from Miguel at the Kentucky International Convention Center. ($75-$135) http://darrellgriffithfoundation.com
Monster Energy Derby Party:10 pm to 6 am, Celebrate Derby Weekend in style with over 1,500 young professional, hollywood celebrities and NFL and NBA athletes. Walk red carpet, on stag DJs, open dance floor. Location: Downtown Louisville (Southeast Corner) 620 Barret Avenue, The New Diamond Location, (where Jillian’s used to be).
Visit www.DerbyHot100.com for more and ticket info. (Tickets – $100 to $5,000).
May 6, Sunday
Frenzy at the Finish: Lynn’s Paradise Cafe, all day 9 am to 10 pm, with a variety of fun for all ages. Winning horse jockey and photos ops (10 am); face painting and balloon twitter (10 am to 2 pm); Shot Girls from Southern Wine and Spirits (1 pm) ; Louisville Leopard Percussionists Play (2pm) ; The Lewis Mathis Band & Frank Sinatra w/Rosemary Clooney (4pm to 10pm ). Pancake & Ponies + Derby themed cocktails all day
Lynn’s Paradise Cafe address – 984 Barret Ave., Louisville, Kentucky.
LATEST PODCAST