Great Night Out at Jesters Gala Party

Famed guitarist Jimmy Page (center right) and Jesters Care for Kids Charity Chairman Lewis “Woody” Underwood (center left) can finally breathe a sigh of relief after another memorable Gala Party Night to wrap up this year’s charity drive.  The official totals are not yet in, but be assured hundreds of thousands of baht was raised at the event, due in no small part to Page’s influence.

Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive 2013, Sponsored by Glencore International and Canadian Jackalope Open

What do you get when you select a great venue, supply sumptuous food, fine wine, cold beer, door prizes, terrific music, dancing, a monster raffle, an auction of great collectables and the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children? Of course, the answer is the Jester’s Care for Kids Gala Party Night. On Saturday night, September 21st, Amari Orchid Pattaya’s Aranda Ballroom was the venue for the third staging of this event, which attracted an attendance of more than 240 community spirited party goers.

Famed guitarist Jimmy Page (center right) and Jesters Care for Kids Charity Chairman Lewis “Woody” Underwood (center left) can finally breathe a sigh of relief after another memorable Gala Party Night to wrap up this year’s charity drive.  The official totals are not yet in, but be assured hundreds of thousands of baht was raised at the event, due in no small part to Page’s influence.

The evening began with complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres served in the foyer by attentive Amari staff, while the Jesters Care for Kids organizing committee were busy outside welcoming guests and selling tickets for the grand raffle. For the latter, the main prize was a gleaming new Honda PCX 150 motorcycle, which was on display.  Muted background music allowed chatter to proceed, while guests awaited entry to the main hall.

Jesters Care for Kids Charity Chairman Lewis “Woody” Underwood welcomes everyone to the event and thanks the charity’s generous sponsors.

Once inside Lewis [Woody] Underwood, chairman of Jesters Care for Kids, gave an opening speech to thank all for their attendance and highlighting some of the work carried out by the Jester’s Care for Kids during the past year. He also thanked his committee for their efforts in making the evening possible. Then our emcee, Russell Jay, outlined the agenda for the evening and how the auction and raffle were to be conducted. Then it was time for food.

The Amari kitchen once again produced an amazing array of dishes; there was such a variety that it was difficult to decide what to put on the plate, and the desserts surely tested the most dedicated weight watchers.

After the clatter of cutlery had ceased the entertainment began, Graham Boyle, all the way from South Africa, was introduced and set the mood for the evening by getting the audience laughing at his stand up routine and also gaining applause for his fine singing. It was then time for Mark Rogers to conduct the first stage of the live auction.

As in past years the items were many and varied. In the sports category, there were signed memorabilia from Majstorovic Celtic Football Club, Lee Trevino [Golf], Derek Jeter [Baseball], Michael Jordan [Basketball] and Daredevil Evil Knievel. In the music area, records or posters from Grateful Dead, Kiss, Metallica and The Who were featured. There was also a replica of a Jimmy Page’s Dragon Telecaster guitar.

Jimmy, himself a long time supporter of Jesters Care for Kids, donated boxed sets of CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray and vinyl copies of Led Zeppelin’s reunion concert in 2007. There were also 4 signed Ross Halfin photos in frames, two featuring Jimmy that were very popular with the audience.  Bidding for these items was frenzied as Gentleman Jimmy took the stage to give background on each item and agreed to inscribe all with a personal messages to the winning bidders.

(L to R) Ja was the lucky winner of the Samsung 32” flat screen TV lucky draw prize, presented here by Deborah Philbrook and Woody Underwood.

Other items included several contemporary paintings from Burmese artists, antique Burmese ceremonial swords, two beautiful antique clocks, and for the ladies, or someone wanting to impress a particular lady, an exquisite diamond-encrusted white gold ring. Only 6 of these items were offered in the first stage of the live auction, and a similar amount offered in the second round of bidding later in the evening. The rest of the lots were bid via silent bids that closed at a nominated time. There were also quite a few door prizes and these were delivered directly to the lucky attendees to save time.

Many in the crowd put forward that Slow Ride was the best band playing the best music they had seen live in a long, long time.

After a spirited round of bidding for these items it was time for more entertainment as Tony Stevens and his band, Slow Ride, took the stage. The years of experience in former bands, such as Fog Hat, Savoy Brown and Stone the Crows, were evident as this group performed their covers of many favorite rock classics.

Graham Boyle set the mood for the evening by getting the audience laughing at his stand up routine and gaining applause for his fine singing.

After another stage of the live auction and more thrilling bidding, the drawing of the grand raffle took place. Only the top 5 major prizes were drawn from the stage, which included the Honda, holiday vouchers for River Kwai [4pax], Nirvana Resort Koh Chang, Pinnacle Resort Jomtien, and 2 Samsung Galaxy Tab II. All other prizes and winners were displayed via power point presentation. Please see list of winners on these pages.

With the structured side of the evening over and the crowd suitably primed courtesy of the complimentary refreshments, it was time to ratchet up the entertainment time to throw a few shapes on the dance floor with Barry Upton and the Fab 60’s Band.

Barry and the group wound back the clock musically with a great selection of Beatles classics and many other favorites from the same era that really had the party moving until the late hours, when it was time to go home.

Another great night was had thanks to the Amari Orchid Pattaya and the efforts of the Jesters committee. Thanks to all who attended and those who gave freely of their services. Your generosity will make a huge difference to the lives of many disadvantaged children in our community.

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(L to R) John Bahng, Jimmy Page and Roger Cross with his signed Led Zeppelin Celebration Day vinyl box set.

Jimmy Page and Donnie Barker with his Ross Halfin Rock n Roll of Fame photo.

(L to R) Richard Kings holding his new replica of Jimmy Page’s Dragon Telecaster guitar alongside him is Niven Walters who crafted and donated it.

(L to R) Richard Margo, Resident Manager of Amari Orchid Pattaya, Paul Strachan, Russell Jay and Tony Malhotra.

(L to R) Ayesha Rahman, John Gilmour, Louise Gilmour and Issey Gilmour.

(L to R) Erle Kershaw, Richy Rhodes and Snowman.

(L to R) Richard Margo, Niven Walters, Woody, Jimmy Page and JD.

(L to R) Paul Strachan, Bea Grunwell and Joe Grunwell.

(L to R) Karyn Walker, Murray Walker, Nick Taylor and Pat Taylor.

(L to R) Karyn Walker, Murray Walker and Linden Phanpho.

(L to R) Sue Kukarja, Dan Dorothy, Nittaya Patimasongkroh, Peter Malhotra, Bernie Tuppin, William Macey, Praichit Jetpai and Sutsa Porn sample the pre-dinner wine together.

(L to R) Greg Freeman, Alan Whiteway, Bill Freeman and Jeff Paladeau.

(L to R) Tony Malhotra, Jimmy Page, Alan Whiteway and Prince Malhotra celebrate the end of a great evening.

(L to R) Jesters Care for Kids Charity Chairman Woody Underwood, Yuie, Nigel Cannon, Pattaya Sports Club Chairman William Macey, and Liab are obviously enjoying the festivities.

Andrew Fromholtz, Matt Allen, Mel Allen and Brent Cockerill.

Russell Jay and Mark Rogers bringing in the bids.

Jimmy Page (right) gives his inside knowledge of the details surrounding this photo of Led Zeppelin.

Chris Hogg at the Jesters MC table bidding on the Jimmy Page Lucifer Rising vinyl.

(L to R) Jimmy Page with Phil Chester & Terry Hermansen and their winning items.

David Gordon presenting his wife with the 14 karat diamond ring he won for their pearl (30th) wedding anniversary.

Eg and Wesley Brubaker.

Jimmy Page thanks Sister Joan from the Fountain of Life, the main beneficiary of the Jesters Care for Kids charity drive, for the outstanding job she does taking care of underprivileged children.