NEARLY $ 400,000 RAISED AT
23RD ANNUAL B.R. COHN CHARITY FALL MUSIC FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 2-5
Glen Ellen, CA. – October 7, 2009 -- In what may have been the most successful event at the famed B.R. Cohn Winery amphitheatre, Journey and the Doobie Brothers, Pablo Cruise, Taj Mahal, Little Feat, Jackie Greene, Whiskey Thieves, Eyewitness Blues Band, Jerry Hannon and Doobie kids Pat Simmons Jr. and Lara Johnston performed to over 6000 concert attendees October 3 and 4 raising much needed funds for several worthy charities including the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club Valley of the Moon and Level II Trauma Center at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, The American Legion Post 911 Veterans Organization and others.
The 23rd annual B.R. Cohn Charity Events Fall Music Festival and Golf Classic kicked off Friday October 2 with the gala dinner at the B.R Cohn winery prepared by one of America’s top chefs Bradley Ogden and a charity auction hosted by acclaimed food and wine personality Narsai David. Held in the autumn hues of the winery’s Olive Grove, the event featured a world-class dinner paired with B.R. Cohn wines. 536 bidders at the auction bid on trips, large format wine bottles and other rare wines and wine dinners including two dinners for twelve at Bruce Cohn’s home by culinary greats Thomas Keller and Bradley Ogden. The evening raised over $165,000 with a fund-a-need for the San Francisco Chapter of the American Legion garnering $61,000.
The over-all four days of fundraising which includes ticket sales, food and beverage, stage-auctions and tournament fees came close to generating $400,000 for charity. Attendance for both concert days was 6000. Plans include a distribution of funds as soon as all the expenses have been paid.
“We have had some great charity events here over the past 23 years, but I think everyone will agree that this is one of the very best we have ever produced”, exclaimed BR Winery owner, Doobies manager and event producer Bruce Cohn. “Without having Journey, the Doobie Brothers and all the other great artists perform basically, just for their expenses, and without the tremendous participation of the 6,000 plus people who turned out to support the concerts, we could never have raised this much money for charity, especially in these challenging times. It is truly remarkable and a collaboration of everyone’s efforts involved, including that of my great staff”.
The four-day event came to a close Monday at Sonoma Golf Club on a picture perfect day for golf. Over 130 golfers hit the links winding down a memorable weekend of great music, fundraising, food and wine at one of the finest destinations in wine country, the B.R. Cohn Winery. Go to www.brcohn.com for info on next year’s event.
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