September 5, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Pat O'Brien's International, Inc. 
William H. Warshauer, Vice President  
504/582-6910  
Fax: 504/582-6909  
Email: corporate@patobriens.com

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
1934 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, Tennesee 38104
901/544-6200
Visit our web site at: www.brooksmuseum.org

Director of Marketing
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
901/544-6208
jan.bauman@brooksmuseum.org

Robin Bender
Sales and Marketing Manager
Pat O'Brien's Memphis
901/529-0900

Historical Opening of Pat O’Briens Memphis to Benefit Three Charities

Memphis, Tenn. - Pat O’Brien’s Memphis will kick off its historical grand opening with a series of events to benefit three Memphis charities. The events will be held on Friday, September 6 and Saturday, September 7 and will benefit Leadership Memphis, UCP of the Mid-South and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. The newly constructed entertainment facility on Beale Street, which will replicate the famous watering hole in the New Orleans French Quarter will open its doors to the public on Sunday, September 8.

The Grand Opening Benefit on Friday, September 6 is the more lavish of the two evenings and is by exclusive invitation only. Starting at 6:30pm, the $100 per person gala’s lagniappe includes entertainment by Joyce Cobb and friends, and performance art by Jay Etkin on the patio as well as the traditional piano bar and New Orleans cuisine. There will be a silent auction of Etkin’s painting and Mardi Gras masks created by talented local artists, as well as prizes for the Best Guest Mask and Best Guest Costume, including two weekend stays at the Mariott in New Orleans at Canal and Royal. A commemorative poster by artist Ellis Chapel will be auctioned and will also be on sale. Along with fabulous food and libation, all attendees will receive commemorative Hurricane glasses and beads.

The festivities on Saturday, September 6, include a more casual atmosphere. Starting at 6:30pm, this $25 per person evening includes two complimentary drinks and all of the fun that Pat O’s offers, including the piano bar. New Orleans cuisine will be available for purchase.

Entire proceeds of these events, including food and bar sales will benefit Leadership Memphis, UCP of the Mid-South and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. "We appreciate Pat O’Brien’s civic-minded generosity to important charities of the city of Memphis and look forward to a fun-filled weekend," says Kaywin Feldman, Director of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

"Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans and any business that I’ve been associated with have always been involved in the community," says Kevin W. Kelly, Chief Manager of Hurricane Memphis, LLC, the franchise holder. "We know that a business can’t be a member of the community unless it participates in it. That’s why Pat O’Brien’s has chosen charities in not just one, but three sectors."

Pat O’Brien’s Memphis is independently owned by Hurricane Memphis LLC, a franchisee of Pat O’Brien’s International. The New Orleans’ landmark Pat O’Brien’s Bar has been entertaining Louisiana natives and visitors alike for 68 years. Pat O’Brien’s is renowned as the birthplace of the copper-topped piano, sing a long concept, the "flaming fountain" courtyard, and the world famous "Hurricane", the bar’s signature drink served in a crested glass.

Pat O’ Brien’s Memphis will be located at 310 Beale Street, on the corner of Beale Street and Rufus Thomas Drive in the heart of the entertainment district. Famous for it’s "Have Fun!" motto, Pat O’Brien’s Memphis will feature a piano bar, the Main or "locals’ bar", and a courtyard bar and restaurant with a replica of the "flaming fountain" as well as "The Briar’s Suite" a private banquet facility with it’s own balcony.

Pat O’Brien’s Memphis is committed to "Have Fun!" with quality, consistency, value, and efficiency.

Founded in 1916, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is the largest fine arts museum in the state of Tennessee, housing one of the most outstanding collections of fine art dating from antiquity to present. The Museum hosts world-class traveling exhibitions and several other long-term loans. Strengths of the collection include Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings and sculpture, principally gifts from the Kress Foundation, English portraits, European and American paintings and a significant collection of work on paper. Its art education department provides free guided tours by trained docents for students in grades 1-12, offers hands-on activities, films, and supplies art education lesson plans to teachers. Housed in part in its original Beaux-arts style building, a registered U.S. National Landmark, the Museum’s facilities include a research library, a print study room, the Museum Store and the acclaimed Brushmark Restaurant.

Museum Hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. On the First Wednesday of the Month the Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Brooks is closed Mondays, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Admission is free for members, $6 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+) and $2 for students with ID.

The Brooks Museum counts on membership since it is a private charity. In fact, funds received from government sources only account for 11 percent of operating revenue. The rest must be generated through donations and sales. Membership and donations are the lifeline of the Museum.

Leadership Memphis is the core program of the Leadership Institute of Memphis, a private, non-profit community leadership organization that runs three programs and offers numerous services and activities for alumni of these programs. Founded in 1978, the Leadership Institute is dedicated to expanding the base and network of community leadership by offering challenging, highly interactive programs focused on educating participants about tough issues and exciting opportunities in Memphis. Its mission is

"Forging leaders who are sensitized to diversity, informed about the community, and acting to strengthen it." For more information please contact Pan Awsumb, Executive Director, Leadership Institute of Memphis, 119 S. Main, Ste. 425, Memphis, TN 38103, (901) 278-0016 or email at info@leadershipmemphis.org
The United Cerebral Palsy Association was first organized in 1949 by a group of prominent New York Businessmen and their wives whose children had Cerebral Palsy, as services for this disability were non-existent. These families used their influence to increase public awareness of cerebral palsy and other disabilities, and provided a support network for those with special needs and their families. When UCP of the Mid-South began in 1980, it served only people with cerebral palsy. But as the need arose, UCP evolved to meet the challenge and now serves people with all types of disabilities including Autism, Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida, and Traumatic Brain Injury. The Mission of UCP of the Mid-South is affect positively the lives of children and adults with all types of disabilities, and their families, and to advance their independence, productivity and full citizenship. For more information please contact Diana Threadgill, Director of Development, UCP of the Mid-South, Inc., 4189 Leroy Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38108, 901-761-4277, dthreadgill@ucpmemphis.org.

For more information, contact:

Pat O'Brien's International, Inc.
718 St. Peter Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
William H. Warshauer (504) 582-6910
Shelly Waguespack (504) 582-6908
Fax (504) 582-6909

Hurricane Memphis, LLC
2101 Merchants Row
Suite 2
Germantown, TN 38138
Kevin W. Kelly, Chief Manager, (901) 755-0014
Fax (901) 755-6603
Craig Patton, General Manager