Named an Official Kentucky Derby Event, the seventh-annual Unbridled Eve Derby Gala is an exclusive star-studded gala which draws local and national business leaders, horse racing industry professionals and celebrities from film, television, music, comedy and sports.
From the world-class cocktail reception to dinner, dancing, live musical performances, and a spectacular silent auction, Unbridled Eve offers the best in Southern hospitality, elegance and entertainment.
All of this fun ultimately goes to help numerous great causes, including seven-time beneficiary, Blessings in a Backpack, an organization that fights childhood hunger by providing needy elementary school students a backpack of food on the weekends. Two-time recipient, the Jennifer Lawrence Arts Fund at Fund for the Arts, supports a range of arts organizations and drives accessibility across neighborhoods, schools, community center, senior care facilities, parks, libraries, and public spaces in Greater Louisville.
FEATURING MUSICAL PERFORMANCES BY:
Linkin’ Bridge – from the West End of Louisville and best known for their appearances on Season 11 of America’s Got Talent
Sir Mix-a-Lot – Grammy-winning American rapper and recording producer. He is best known for his hit song “Baby Got Back.”
Reggie Calloway, founder of Midnight Star – Grammy-winning songwriter and top music producer, hit writer, musician and artist
Thompson Square – country music duo composed of husband and wife Keifer and Shawna Thompson
Dennis Quaid – award-winning actor currently starring in I Can Only Imagine
Mike Mills – co-founder and co-lead singer of the iconic rock band R.E.M.
The Louisville Crashers – regional and national band out of Louisville that plays covers and their original songs across the country
DJ 2nd Nature – energizing audio & visual performances that feature mash-ups of the best in pop culture
CELEBRITY/VIP ATTENDEES:
Mira Sorvino – Oscar and Golden Globe-winning Actress.
Christopher Backus – actor, director and screenwriter
Keith Robinson – actor (Dreamgirls) and musical artist
Paul Sorvino – actor (Goodfellas, Law & Order), opera singer, writer and sculptor
Jesse Spencer – Australian actor and musician known for House and Chicago Fire
Kevin Olusola – three-time Grammy winner with the vocal band Pentatonix from Louisville. He is a musician, beatboxer, cellist, rapper, record producer, singer, and songwriter. Olusola is best known as the beatboxer of Pentatonix
Lou Gossett, Jr. – actor best known for his Oscar-winning role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman
Jenni “J-Woww” Farley – television personality from reality series Jersey Shore and Domesticated
Patrick Schwarzenegger – actor and model. He is the elder son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver.
Victoria Justice – actress, singer who rose to fame on Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101 and Victorious
Ray Liotta – movie and television actor, best known for his role as Henry Hill in Goodfellas. Amongst his other film credits are Field of Dreams, Hannibal, The Iceman, and Wild Hogs. Currently starring in Shades of Blue with Jennifer Lopez.
Bob Guiney – contestant on the first season of The Bachelorette and later appeared as the bachelor in the fourth season of The Bachelor. He hosted GSN Live from 2009 until the show’s ending in 2011. He regularly appears on The Today Show.
Nora Roberts – one of the bestselling authors of all-time having written more than 225 romance novels. She also writes as J. D. Robb for the Death series.
Rob Angel – Creator of Pictionary
Coach Bobby Petrino – University of Louisville Head Football Coach
Luke Hancock – former University of Louisville basketball player, named Most Outstanding Player in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, which University of Louisville won.
Warren Moon – NFL Hall of Famer who played the majority of his career with the Houston Oilers
Bilal Powell – football running back for the New York Jets of the NFL. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
James O’Shaughnessy – football tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL
Kenny Moore Jr. – football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL
Brian Winters – football offensive guard for the New York Jets of the NFL
Rontez Miles – football strong safety for the New York Jets of the NFL
Mario Urrutia – former NFL wide receiver. Played college football at University of Louisville.
Joe Johnson – former University of Louisville “All American” football player. Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1994.
Milan Chakraborty – Partner at Attic Light Films, co-producer of “My Friend Dahmer”
Steve Elkington – two-time winner of the PGA Player Championship, formerly on the PGA Tour, currently on the PGA Tour Champions.
Bonnie Jill Lafflin – actress, model, television personality, sportscaster, and NBA scout for the Los Angeles Lakers
Allison Williams – ESPN reporter working Saturday college football games and Big Monday college basketball games.
Wes Henderson – Founder and Chief Innovations Officer of Angel’s Envy
Al Young – brand ambassador and resident historian of Four Roses
Jean Cruguet – Triple Crown-winning jockey on Seattle Slew
Victor Espinoza – 3-time Kentucky Derby winner and 2015 Triple Crown winning jockey on American Pharaoh
Beauty queens
Jordan Lynn Crozier – Miss Kentucky Teen USA 2018
Braea Tilford – Miss Kentucky USA 2018
Local celebrities
Conrad Bachmann – actor who has been in more than 400 commercials
J.D. Shelburne – country music artist, Kentucky native
Rick Kueber – Part owner of Starlight Racing’s 2018 Kentucky Derby entries Audible and Justify
Brandy Neelly – Nashville based singer and former “American Idol” contestant
Layla Spring – Marion County native and current “American Idol” contestant
Teddy Abrams- conductor of the Louisville Orchestra
HOSTS FOR THE EVENING:
Tonya York Dees and Tammy York Day (Hosts and Co-Founders, Unbridled Eve Derby Gala)
Ben Jackey (Unbridled Eve Gala Red Carpet)
Julie Smith (Unbridled Eve Gala Red Carpet)
Nick Ferrara (Unbridled Eve Gala Emcee)
*More names to be announced.
WHEN: Friday, May 4, 2018
Media Check-in: 6:00 p.m.
Red carpet: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Reception: 7:00 p.m.
Gala: 8:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
WHERE: The Galt House Hotel & Suites
Grand Ballroom
140 N 4th St.
Louisville, KY 40202
CONTACTS: To purchase tickets, please visit www.unbridledeve.com and click on “Purchase Unbridled Tickets,” call 502.894.9768 or email peggy@yorkmgmt.com. Individual ticket prices start at $1,250. Dance Party only tickets are available for $350 (10:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.)
For sponsorship opportunities, please email Tammy York Day at tammy@derbyprelude.com or Tonya York Dees at tonya@derbyprelude.com.
For media inquiries and credentialing requests to cover the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala and red carpet, please visit www.unbridledeve.com/news/media/
Follow the event on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnbridledEve/
Instagram: @UnbridledEve #UnbridledEve #UE18
Champion sponsor of the 2018 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala is Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Other sponsors include CIGNA, CDW Healthcare, Century Mortgage, Wayne & Kathy Richards, Planet Fitness, the Nora Roberts Foundation, the Churchill Downs Foundation and Churchill Downs Inc., the Galt House Hotel, Barry Wooley Designs, Delta Dental of Kentucky, Montgomery Chevrolet, Sun Tan City, MPI Printing, Bella Vita Media, Mightily, dRAE Media & Marketing, Mac in a Snap, Ronaldo Designer Jewelry, Louisville Magazine, and Today’s Woman Now Magazine.