event preview by Brittany Ransom
bransom@thecitywire.com
Northwest Arkansas will host a number of "colorful" events and special fundraisers in the coming weeks including the Go Red for Women Luncheon, the Eureka Springs Chocolate Lovers Festival, the Sheep Dog Charity Ball, the Black Hearts Ball, the "camo and couture"-themed Havenwood Angel Gala, The Wine Opener, and the Red Tie Dinner & Auction.
Go Red for Women Luncheon
The American Heart Association will host a "Go Red for Women" Luncheon to raise awareness about heart disease in women, on Feb. 10. The event will feature numerous speakers, health information, a beauty and fashion area, health screenings, a live purse auction and more.
The luncheon will be held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers beginning at 9 a.m. The morning will include a boutique and educational expo, which will feature free health screenings, areas dedicated to nutrition, beauty and fashion, as well as a "Purse-onality" Auction.
Lunch seating will commence at 11 a.m. The program will include a "Haute to Dress Production," Passion Story, and special guest speaker Kelly Earnhardt Miller. Known as one of the most prominent business figures in the world of NASCAR, Miller oversees JR Motorsports, which includes the company race team, management team, and business endeavors for her brother Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Individual tickets are $100 and can be purchased online. For more information, call 439-6800.
Eureka Springs Chocolate Lovers Festival
Chocoholics will rejoice as Eureka Springs presents its 11th annual Chocolate Lovers Festival on Feb. 14.
The nationally recognized event will offer guests the chance to taste all types of chocolate treats, including cakes, cookies, and beverages, and take home samplings of their favorites.
Festivities will include decorating demonstrations, exhibitor showcases, and contests for amateur, as well professional chocolatiers. Celebrity judges will award cash prizes in the amateur and professional contests for baking, decorating, and candy making. Guests will also enjoy expertly paired wine and chocolate treats.
The festival will be held Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center in Eureka Springs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A Chocolate Lovers Festival Cookbook featuring more than 500 delicious recipes will also be available for $15. The book can be purchased in advance by visiting the group's Facebook page.
Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children ages six and under. Proceeds from the festival will benefit Academy of Excellence and the Eureka Springs Highlander Athletic Booster Club. Tickets may be purchased by calling 1-800-638-7352.
Sheep Dog Charity Ball
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance will show the love to military and first responders with its third annual Charity Ball on Feb. 14.
The Valentine's affair will include dinner, an auction, special presentations and more. Guests speakers will include combat wounded veterans Cpl. Nick Perales and Sgt. Matthew Melancon.
Cocktail hour will start at 5 p.m., along with the opening of the silent auction. It will be followed by the opening ceremonies and speakers at 6 p.m., with dinner beginning at 7 p.m. A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of awards to the Military, Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, and EMS Sheep Dogs of the Year, as well as other special recognitions and honors.
The event will be held at the Embassy Suites in Rogers. Attire is black-tie, with military and emergency personnel/law enforcement encouraged to wear their dress uniform. Tickets are $50 for SDIA members and volunteers, $60 for military personnel and first responders, and $75 for the general public. Proceeds from the Charity Ball will fund SDIA programs including Sheep Dogs in Need, Project Giving and Christmas Outreach, as well as provide materials and supplies for disaster relief missions and disaster preparedness classes.
Black Hearts Ball
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art invites guests to "soothe their jaded hearts" at its third annual " Black Hearts Ball" on Feb. 14.
The anti-Valentine's "ArtinFusion" bash will feature DJ Abboriginal, offering guests the chance to dance the night away on the 3D projected dance floor. Delicious comfort cuisine will also be served up the by chefs from Eleven. The ball will be held at Crystal Bridges from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. An after-party will be sponsored by "The Hive."
Admission is free for Artinfusion members and $25 for guests. Registration is required. To RSVP or for more information, call the Member Priority Line at 418-5728.
Havenwood Angel Gala
Havenwood will host its 21st annual Angel Gala on Feb. 14 This year's event will be a special Valentine's Day affair featuring a unique "camo and couture" theme.
Hosted at the Doubeltree Guests Suites in Bentonville, the evening will kick off at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy cocktails and a formal dinner, along with music and dancing. Live and silent auctions will also be held, along with a special raffle drawing.
Dr. Evelyn Jorgenson, Northwest Arkansas Community College President, will serve as the keynote speaker.
Tickets are $100 and can be purchased online. All proceeds benefit Havenwood, whose mission is to "provide a safe, stable, structured living environment while connecting single parent families with the programming, resources, and guidance to overcome the obstacles in their lives and transform the future of their family." For more information, call 273-1060.
The Wine Opener
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will host its annual "The Wine Opener" on Feb. 20. Guests will enjoy sampling a variety of fine wines, while treating themselves to delicious hors d'oeuvres and desserts from local eateries. A special VIP reserve station will also be set up, along with silent auction tables. A number of items will also be up for grabs in the exciting live auction.
The event will be held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. VIP reserve tasting will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the general wine opener at 6:30 p.m. The live auction will begin at 8 p.m.
Individual tickets are $125. For more information, contact the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 799-3206.
Red Tie Dinner & Auction
The Razorback Foundation will host its premier fundraiser and honors banquet, the Red Tie Dinner & Auction, on Feb. 21 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. The 18th annual Red Tie event will include fine dining, balloon prizes, a Razorback toss, a photo booth, and the chance to bid on many great prizes in the live and silent auction.
Six Razorback athletes will be honored during the program for their academic and athletic achievements, as well as for their service to the community. Guests will also have the chance to interact with Razorback coaches, university staff, and many U of A athletes.
Doors will open at 5:15 p.m., with registration to follow at 5:30. Dinner and the formal program will commence at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $100. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Razorback Foundation and its efforts to "make a significant impact on the lives of student-athletes in the classroom, on the field and in the community." For more information, contact the Razorback Foundation at 443-9000.