Hollywood-Themed Toast to the Coast Gala Fundraiser Puts Music, Food, Fun & Art on Center Stage

Staged at the van Meerveld estate on Scenic Drive in Pass Christian, Toast to the Coast 2014 is an elegant Hollywood-themed gala that will feature more than 30 of the Coast’s finest restaurants, live and silent auctions, adult and children’s art shows, and dancing the night away to Louisiana Spice and The Right Lane Bandits. Tickets are $100 each. For more information, visit www.TheToastToTheCoast.com

Many fine items, services and vacation packages will be available at both the live and silent auctions, including a dream package for Saints fans. Enjoy four Club Level seats on the 50 yard line for the Saints v. Panthers battle on December 7th. The package includes an overnight stay in a gorgeous Windsor Court Hotel suite and $100.00 gift certificate to Galatoire’s 33 Bar and Steak. WHO DAT!

Restaurants
The evening showcases house specialties from over 30 restaurants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, including The Chimneys, Half Shell Oyster House, Lookout Steakhouse, Sycamore House, Trapani’s, Beach Blvd Steamer, and many more. Expect to sample something different from every chef. Crab cakes, ahi tuna sashimi, ceviche, grilled oysters, grilled stuffed shrimp, smoked duck, suckling pig, and classic New Orleans turtle soup are just a few of the items on the menu. Yum!

“Encore” Toast to the Coast Invitational Art Show Celebrating Gulf Coast Artists
It is with great excitement that Toast to the Coast organizers announce the return of the judged art show, which was a long-standing tradition at the annual fundraiser prior to Hurricane Katrina.

Gala-goers will will experience a mini “Getty Museum” as they walk through the invitational show featuring work by nine Gulf Coast artists from Pearlington to Moss Point. Jennifer Black, Carolyn Busenlener, JJ Foley, Elizabeth Huffmaster, Bill Nelson, Marian Knobbe Scott, Joy van Meerveld, Magtilt van Theil, and Clarice Wallace are the featured artists and their work will also be for sale.

It is a privilege and an honor to have Auseklis Ozols, founder and director of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, judge the show. Auseklis will have a painting hanging as well, which will be for sale. For more information on Auseklis and his art, please visit www.AuseklisOzols.com

Children in the Arts
Artwork by children will also be on view in the 2014 Children in the Arts exhibition. This unique event highlights the talents of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students in public, private, and parochial schools all along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

In keeping with the gala, the theme for the student show is “Let’s Go to the Movies!” This year’s judge is Tracy Williams, head of the Art Department at William Carey University, Tradition Campus. The three student grand prize winners will each win $100.

After its premier at Toast to the Coast, the show moves indoors to Coast Episcopal School’s Gail Keenan Art Center, from October 22 through November 8, 2014. All children selected to participate in Children in the Arts are invited to an all-day art workshop conducted by local artists and a reception at Coast Episcopal School.

The inspiration behind the Children in the Arts Contest is to stimulate the creative potential in our young children and to bring to the public an awareness of the importance of involving children in the arts.

Sponsors
Toast to the Coast 2014 is sponsored by Auto-Chlor System; United States Marine, Inc.; Seemann Composites, Inc.; B.B. Granite; Jones Walker; Corban, Gunn and Van Cleave Law Firm; Select Administrative Services; Crescent School of Gaming and Bartending; Sandi Favre and Viagio Travel, LLC; MashaWorks Solutions; Chuck Kelly Salon Spa; and Phelps Dunbar, LLP.