The biggest question on everyone’s mind, last June, after Keep Memory Alive honored Veronica and Andrea Bocelli, at the annual Power of Love™ gala; was how co-Founders Camille & Larry Ruvo would (could?) possibly top themselves, this year.  After all, 2016 would mark the 20th anniversary of the event that’s grown from a dinner in the private dining room at Spago – honoring the one year anniversary of the passing of beloved Las Vegas restaurateur, Lou Ruvo – to what has become the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae that is Las Vegas’ philanthropic calendar.

Some things we knew, for certain.  First, there would be a trio of chefs; one of whom would be Wolfgang Puck, who’s been there, with his saucepans, since the beginning.  Next, we just knew it’d be an entertainment extravaganza of epic proportions; following, as it would, not just the Bocellis’ honorific, but also (in reverse chronological order) ¡Viva Estefan! (saluting Gloria and Emilio Estefan – 2014), Night of the Celestial Twins (the 80th birthdays of Quincy Jones and Sir Michael Caine – 2013), and Ali70 (the 70th birthday of the Greatest of All-Time, Muhammad Ali – 2012) – just to give you an idea…

It was probably around Labor Day, when I first heard that the event might be honoring the 90th birthday of Tony Bennett.  It made perfect sense, seeing as Ruvo is a huge fan of the iconic crooner.  So much so, in fact, that back in the Fall of 1995, when Ruvo was being honored by the Public Education Foundation, Tim Poster and Tom Breitling (who owned the Golden Nugget, at the time), arranged to have Bennett (who was in town, headlining at the Nugget) driven up from Downtown, to the Four Seasons, between his two shows that evening.  Once there, in a whirlwind of excitement, Bennett rushed onto the dais, and sang a few songs; after which he was spirited, once again, to the Nugget.  Only in Vegas, right?

As I mentioned in a previous article, the production of the Power of Love™ gala is spearheaded by KMA’s longtime partner, Bill Edwards; and soon the roster of musical talent saluting Bennett included Chris Botti, James Corden, Andra Day, James Corden, Herbie Hancock, Dan Orlando, Darius Rucker, Jordin Sparks, and Steven Tyler.  But wait, there was so much more!

As Bennett is an accomplished artist (he signs each of his paintings with his family name, Benedetto), a bevy of world-renowned artists and curators were on-hand (many having donated to the evening’s spectacular auction), including Adam Abdalla, Marina Abramović, Dale Chihuly, Jonathan Horowitz, Jeff Koons, Rob Pruitt, Peter Tunney, and Neville Wakefield – all of whom were acknowledged in a portion of the evening, hosted by Minnie Driver.

And as for the tasty victuals upon which we supped, Puck was joined by chefs Nobu Matsuhisa (who had cooked alongside Puck, at that dinner, twenty years ago) and Mario Carbone.  But first was the reception, featuring stations helmed by the various gourmet rooms of the MGM Grand, including Craftsteak, Crush, Emeril's New Orleans Fish House, Fiamma Trattoria & Bar, Hakkasan Las Vegas, L'Atelier JoëRobuchon, JoëRobuchon Restaurant, and Shibuya.  This sumptuous bounty was paired with Dom Pérignon's 2006 Brut Champagne, Ferrari-Carano's 2014 Fume Blanc, and Francis Coppola's 2013 Diamond Claret

Then, after descending into the dining room, and mingling amongst the 1.800 guests, dinner was served.  The first course was Nobu Matsuhisa’s Nobu Trio, consisting of White Fish Quinoa Ceviche, Tuna Caviar with Karashi Sumiso, and Salmon Dry Miso – paired with Inception’s 2012 Viognier and Chateau D’Esclans 2014 “Rock Angel” Rose.  The second course was Wolfgang Puck’s Farmer’s Market White Corn Agnelotti with Urbani Summer Truffle – paired with Landmark Vineyards2013 Overlook Chardonnay and Robert Mondavi Winery’s 2013 Pinot Noir.  The main course was Mario Carbone’s Short Rib Diana – paired with Dariush’s 2011 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon.  And for dessert, the MGM Pastry Team created a spectacular confection that featured a replica of the Frank Geary-designed Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, constructed entirely out of chocolate, itself supporting a quartet of smaller desserts.  Dessert was accompanied by The Good Life – a cocktail created especially for the occasion, by John Paul DeJoria and his team of merry elves at Patrón Spirits.

Come back, next time, for an in-depth look at the incredible concert that made-up the heart of the evening.  Until then…  TTFN!

20th Anniversary Power of Love™ gala
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Click HERE for info

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#OneMemory


The world’s greatest hip-hop collective returns this weekend with the second edition of the history-making WU-TANG CLAN: THE SAGA CONTINUES… THE LAS VEGAS RESIDENCY