Contact Information: Contacts: Lisa Wheeler GreasieWheels, LLC President 702-327-7250 Press and Media Inquiries: Justin McVay Golden Nugget Manager of Public Relations 702-386-8211
Budding Ivey Foundation Charity Poker Tournament Partners With 2008 World Series of Barbecue at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas on July 1
| Source: GreasieWheels, LLC
LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - June 26, 2008) - This weekend, the Golden Nugget and renowned
poker player Phil Ivey together will host The Budding Ivey Foundation
Charity Poker Tournament on Tuesday, July 1 at 8:00 p.m. Celebrity
tournament director Matt Savage will emcee the no-limit Texas hold'em event
that will take place inside the Golden Nugget event center. The event will
be sponsored by Curtis & Co. Watches. One hundred percent of the proceeds
will benefit the Budding Ivey Foundation. Poker tournament participants are
invited to attend the Sixth Annual World Series of Barbecue (WSOB08)
sponsored by Steve Z and Howard & Suzie Lederer that starts at 6:00 p.m. at
The Tank, the Golden Nugget's newest attraction featuring exotic marine
life, a three-story water slide and seven private cabanas.
"This fundraiser will primarily benefit the Empowered 2 Excel Academy in
North Las Vegas," said Ivey. "Their doors were recently closed due to a
lack of funds. We are determined to open those doors again for the kids in
that community. The Golden Nugget has been very accommodating," added Ivey.
"This is definitely the place you want to be on July 1."
Complimentary shuttle and limousine services from the rear entrance of the
Rio All-Suites Hotel Casino (WSOP entrance) to the Golden Nugget will be
provided by Las Vegas Transportation, running from 5 p.m. until midnight.
Dean Martin impersonator Tom Stevens will greet arriving guests at the
Golden Nugget entrance. The WSOB08 banquet starts at 6 p.m. The Phil Ivey
Charity Poker Tournament begins at 8 p.m. The Budding Ivey Game Night
Celebration (BIGNC) and the WSOB08 will include a Guitar Hero exhibition by
poker celebrity Evelyn Ng at 7 p.m. A Guitar Hero competition will follow
where the winner will receive two tickets to Disneyland. Chess Grand Master
(GM) Roman Dzindzichasvili will challenge guests to blitz chess throughout
the evening with all proceeds benefiting the Budding Ivey Foundation. Other
BIGNC and WSOB08 competitions include a hula hoop contest hosted by Lacey
Jones and Karina Jett, Chutes & Ladders hosted by Michele Lewis, Operation
hosted by Matt and Maryann Savage, a Karaoke contest sponsored by Curtis &
Co. Watches, and a Battleship competition. At 10:00 p.m., country western
singer Andy Griggs will perform an acoustic number with a fireworks show to
follow sponsored by the Lederers and conducted by the world famous
pyrotechnic Family Vitale.
The charity poker tournament is open to the public. To reserve a poker
tournament seat, go to http://buddingiveyfoundation.org/contributions.html
and make the recommended donation or contact event coordinator Lisa Wheeler
at BIGNC@mac.com or (702) 327-7250. For a complete schedule of events,
visit http://buddingiveyfoundation.org/events.html. The WSOB08 and BIGNC
are supported and sponsored by The Golden Nugget, Steve Z and Howard &
Suzie Lederer, Curtis & Co. Watches, WSOP Academy, Saks Fifth Avenue, Who's
Your Daddy Energy Drink, Hermes, Emelio Pucci, Apivita, Pickin & Poker Tour
2008, Cartwright Entertainment, BigChiefCigars.com, PokerFaces.tv, Triumph
Sports, LipsDiva.com, PokerNews.com, and Zizzazz Energy Drink Mix. For more
information on the 2008 WSOB and BIGNC at the Golden Nugget, please write
WSOB08@mac.com. The Phil Ivey CPT and BIGNC is a GreasieWheels production.
About the Golden Nugget Hotel-Casino
Winner of the AAA Four-Diamond Award since 1977, the Golden Nugget Las
Vegas is the most luxurious resort on the Fremont Street Experience, and
consistently receives critical acclaim for exceeding customer expectations.
The Golden Nugget offers more than 1,900 deluxe guest rooms and suites; a
high-energy casino featuring the most popular slot and video poker
machines, table games, race and sports book and poker room; nightly
entertainment; world-class restaurants; luxury spa and salon and The Tank,
a year-round outdoor swimming pool complete with a live shark aquarium. In
September 2005, Landry's Restaurants, Inc. purchased the Golden Nugget
hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev., and embarked on a
14-month, $100 million renovation project, which was completed November
2006. In December 2007, the Golden Nugget completed its $60 million Phase
II project, which expanded the resort west onto First Street and introduced
additional entertainment, event and dining venues. Hotel reservations and
additional information are available by calling 800-634-3454, or by booking
online at www.goldennugget.com.
About the Budding Ivey Foundation
The Budding Ivey Foundation was created and founded by Phil Ivey and his
mother Pamela Simmons-Ivey. The Budding Ivey Foundation strives to continue
to fulfill the desires of Phil Ivey's late grandfather and legendary
philanthropist Leonard "Bud" Simmons. A trailblazer and staunch advocate
for justice for all, Simmons had a deep passion for education, inclusion,
and opportunity. He was the first in his community to pave the way to hope
through public service and his numerous accomplishments. His desire was to
offer hope to the lives of the underrepresented. The Budding Ivey
Foundation is non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational
opportunities and empowering at-risk children and their families to
ultimately inspire them to believe, achieve, and succeed. Empowered 2 Excel
gives underprivileged children who qualify academically a chance to
participate in enhanced learning programs.