The Jazz St. Louis Gala to benefit our youth education and outreach programs is just around the corner! It's not too late to join us on Saturday, April 5, for an outstanding evening featuring our Jazz St. Louis All-Stars during the cocktail hour, dinner, live auction of exceptional items and a full concert with Tony DeSare, described by the NY Times as a "lean baby Sinatra."

We are offering some extraordinary auction items, and even if you cannot attend, you can submit a bid to me via email at melissa@jazzstl.org through Thursday, April 3. Just send me your name, daytime phone number, item of interest and ceiling bid (your dollar limit), and I will call you to verify your bid and obtain your credit card information. Obviously, your card will not be charged unless you are the winning bidder.

Here are some of the auction items up for bid:

Hollywood Bowl Trip - one pair of tickets to a Hollywood Bowl event of the winner's choosing, two nights at the Hilton, and round trip airfare donated by Thomas and Elizabeth Bridge

An exquisite 18-karat yellow gold "Gitan" bead and turquoise drop necklace designed by Hollywood designer Cynthia Bach donated by Cynthia Bach for Neiman Marcus. Value: $3,400

Towboat Voyage along the lazy Mississippi River donated by Alter Trading Corporation and Alter Barge Line, Inc. Value: $1,000

Jazz St. Louis Executive Director Gene Dobbs Bradford's Gourmet Feast for Twelve. Value: $1,200

New York City Jazz Package - two tickets to a concert at the Jazz Standard, dinner for two at Blue Smoke, and a two-night stay at the Hotel Giraffe donated by Union Square Hospitality Group and John Wuest Value: $1,500

Joseph Phelps Vineyards - A unique winery visit including a private lunch and high-end tasting for six guests with a selection of current wines and their flagship wine, Insignia. Value: $600

Spectacular St. Louis Entertainment Package - tickets, gift certificates, and memberships to the finest venues around town: St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Science Center, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the Black Rep, Dance St. Louis, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Food Outreach's A Tasteful Affair on April 20, and of course, Jazz at the Bistro. Value: $1,350

If you cannot join us, I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to support our youth education and outreach programs. Thank you!