Black and Blue Ball not to be missed

BY STEVEN LIBOWITZ
DAILY SOUND ARTS EDITOR

What’s black and blue and fun all over?
OK, that’s an easy one. It’s the Black & Blue Ball, the annual big fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association that is perennially one of the most popular events on the Santa Barbara charity circuit.


Edgar Winter will serve as headliner for the musical portion of Sunday’s event, which has found a permanent home at the Fess Parker Doubletree Resort across Cabrillo Blvd. from Chase Palm Park and the beach. Like the main acts the previous three years – Eddie Money, Foreigner and Sheila E. – Winter had the bulk of his hits in the 1980s, including the, pardon the pun, monster smash hit “Frankenstein” as well as “Free Ride.”
Sharing the bill with Winter are several local acts, including the Rick Reeves Band, Matthew McAvene, Aaron McLain and DJ Matty Matt Moore, giving the event the feel of a non-stop rock concert.
But the Black & Blue Ball, which has been voted “Best Charity Event” for the past eight years in a row by the Santa Barbara Independent Reader’s Poll, is much more than a simple showcase for music. The event also features one of the most extensive silent auctions of the year, plus appetizers and other delectable edibles all served al fresco in the rotunda of the Doubletree hotel, just across the street from the Eastern portion of Chase Palm Park and East Beach.
“I think it’s so popular because it’s just so unique,” said Mehgan Fay, MDA’s new district director, a former volunteer who is in charge of her first Black & Blue Ball in 2007 after helping out for the last two. “No other event in town is a rock concert and a taste of the town and for a good charity and held outdoors and just so much fun in the summrtime. Plus we have professional event planners putting everything together.”
Committee chairman Michael Lampkin agreed. “We work hard to make the ball something that’s accessible to everyone,” he said. “It’s like a mini-intimate concert, but it’s not just thrown together. It’s a real show. We make sure there are no down times or awkward silences.”
The committee this year has also come up with fascinating items for the silent auction, which features sign up sheets all around the perimeter of the rotunda. Featured gifts include a guided tour of the Reagan Ranch, a trip to Costa Rica, a ukulele signed by Santa Barbara favorite Jack Johnson and a Fender guitar signed by Winter.
Smaller packages include various happy hour parties, hotel stays, spa packages, wine and gift baskets and several wine tours, highlighted by a couple of trips coordinated by Coastal Concierge for six people including all-important pick up and drop off, a must for wine events. If your tastes run to other spirits, there’s also a Sauza Hornitos Tequila gift basket.
The organizers have dispensed with the live auction this year in favor of Camperships. Both local and statewide goodwill ambassadors, who are kids afflicted with one of the 43 neuromuscular diseases under the MDA auspices, will talk about the summer camp programs and solicit donations to send underprivileged children on scholarships.
“It’s a good way to put a face to the cause,” Fay said.
This year’s food providers include Carribbean Coffee Company, Woody’s BBQ (sweet and sour meatballs), California Pizza Kitchen (caesar salad and focaccia bread), Albertsons (brownie bites and cookies), Restaurant Nu (black truffle macarone and cheese), Zaffiro (shrimp scampi), Bay Café (mussels fresca, scallops and the half shell, bruschetta), Rodney’s Steakhouse (filet mignon with béarnaise sauce), La Dolce Vita (tossed chicken picatta), Chef Karim’s Moroccan Restaurant (spicy chicken, Moroccan shrimp, Mediterranean salad), El Torito (fresh guacamole, chips & salsa), La Bella Rosa (selection of sweets and treats), Lettuce B Frank (mini beef, turkey and veggie fresh-dipped corn pups with five homemade sauces), Santa Barbara Chocolate Fountain (strawberries & chocolate) and Zelo (sautéed stuffed mushrooms).
Tickets to the Black & Blue Ball are $135 general admission, or $175 for VIPs, which include entry an hour early for the hosted cocktail reception. Call 560-7651.