Annual Brain Ball celebrates "Parisian Nights" with a Fleur de Lis cocktail

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Raising money goes hand in hand with raising awareness at the annual Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky's "Parisian Nights" Brain Ball on Friday, November 21, 2014 at the Seelbach Hotel.

The Varga Family held the first Brain Ball in 2003, in support of Mary Varga, a brain injury survivor who was assisted by BIAK during her recovery. Guests of the Brain Ball will stroll the streets of Paris and enjoy a Cocktail Reception featuring the signature 'Fleur de Lis' Cocktail designed by Tim Laird, chief entertainment officer of Brown-Forman Corporation and the host of Secrets of Louisville Chefs Live.

Brown-Forman's Wendy Treinen shows how to make a signature cocktail made for the event, the Fleur de Lis.

Fleur de Lis

In a shaker with ice, add:

1 ounce Finlandia vodka

½ ounce Chambord liqueur

2 ounces lemonade

1 ounce cranberry juice

Squeeze of lemon

Shake and strain into rocks glass.

Guests will also enjoy dinner, a live program including a look back at the 12-year history of the Brain Ball, and presentation of the 12th Annual Mary Varga Award honoring Hank Buckwalter, also a brain injury survivor.

After the dinner, a live auction will be held with items including:

King of the Castle

-Party at your home or event for 100 of your closest friends

-See the self-powered, 34-foot "Crave Mobile" in action

-Delicious, hot White Castles for everyone

A Party at Home with America's CEO

- Hosted by Tim Laird, America's CEO, and Dave Danielson, Chef of Churchill Downs

-Tim Laird will create a signature cocktail for your party of 8

- Includes 8 personalized and signed copies of That's Entertaining!, Cocktails and Appetizers

Exciting Trips: Caribbean Getaway and Wine Country Trip to Sonoma County

Corbett's - An American Place, Exclusive Dining Experience

-AAA Four Diamond Award Winning Restaurant

-Tasting Dinner for 8 in the Private Chef's Room

-Limousine

At Home Bourbon Tasting for 8

-Hosted by Fred Minnick, Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of Whiskey Women: The Untold Story of How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch, and Irish Whiskey

Dan Dry's California Chrome

Following the auction, guests will follow the BIAK streets of Paris to the Seelbach Rathskeller, for the "Paris at Midnight" after party, where they will dance away the night with the fabulous live band, Kudmani ( 9pm-12am). Tickets are available for the after party only.

The event is being chaired by Tim and Kristin DeLong. Tim is the managing director, North American Whiskies at Brown-Forman. Tim and Kristin have three daughters, two attending Centre College and one is a senior at Sacred Heart Academy. Tim is a supporter of BIAK and their efforts in helping vets who need but don't ask for help, their ability to influence the state to provide funding to help citizens who have suffered brain injuries, and their work on prevention. Tim and Kristen are impressed with all they accomplish and do it with just a handful of dedicated professionals.

For more information about The Brain Ball or to purchase tickets, visit

www.biak.us

About the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky [BIAK]:

BIAK's mission is to serve Kentucky citizens whose lives have been affected by brain injury. BIAK does this through advocacy, education, prevention, service and support. BIAK links survivors of brain injury and their families to support from others with similar experience; provides them with education and information about living and coping with brain injury; assists them in locating resources for financial assistance; and seeks to connect people with sources of emotional support. BIAK is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.