Concern Foundation Celebrates 50th Annual Block Party

It’s game on and It’s time to roll the dice, stack the Jenga blocks, and climb the Chutes & Ladders of hope at the Concern Foundation 50th Annual Block Party. Yes, Hollywood’s premier outdoor food, beverage, and entertainment extravaganza transforms the backlot of Paramount Studios Hollywood into the ultimate life-sized game board on Saturday, July 19. This year marks the golden milestone of 50 incredible years of giving cancer the checkmate, as over 4,000 guests will be treated to a Trivial Pursuit of flavor featuring tastings from over 90 top-tier restaurants, spirits, craft cocktails, wineries, and breweries all while raising critical funds for cancer research.

The 50^th Annual Block Party theme, GAME ON! Together Let’s Beat Cancer, pays tribute to long time sponsors, board members, and community philanthropists Lisi and Steve Teller for their outstanding contributions to the community, and honors Special Lifetime Achievement Honoree Alexandra M. Levine, MD, MACP, Professor of Hematology and Chief Medical Officer, Emerita, City of Hope.

The event promises a game night of epic proportions as the streets of the Paramount Backlot transform into a Candy Land of culinary creativity, retro bowling, and musical-fueled celebration. Musical performances by the Tom Nolan Band and on the Main Stage, D' City Sound & Events, and The Vibrato Grill Jazz Stage featuring the Jason Goldstein Sextet with Lilli Passero, and other special artists will set the tone for a high-energy atmosphere.

This year’s Restaurants include 1212 Santa Monica, Alexander’s Steakhouse, A.O.C. Wine Bar, Arth Bar + Kitchen, BOA Steakhouse, BOX Chicken, Casablanca Restaurant, Cea-Lo LA, City Club Los Angeles, Dulan’s on Crenshaw Soul Food Restaurant, Emporium Thai, Factor’s Famous Deli, Fogo de Chão, Fresh Brothers, Georgia’s Restaurant, Gyu-Kaku, Hayama by WATAMI, Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill & Jazz, Jemma Hollywood, La Boheme, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Leona’s Japanese Fusion Restaurant & Bar, Maple Block Meat Co., Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Miracle Noodle,Nobu Los Angeles, Nobu Malibu, Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs, Poppy + Rose, Portillo’s, Porto’s Bakery & Café, Restaurant 917 at the Porsche Experience Center, Settecento DTLA, Shake Shack,Stellar Snacks, STK Steakhouse, Sushi Roku, Taisho Restaurant, The Grill on the Alley, The Red Fish, The Village, Tokyo Kitchen, Uchi West Hollywood, Vegetarian Plus by Myrtle Greens, West Coast Pretzels, Wife and the Somm, and Yamashiro Hollywood.

Desserts will be presented by Bertha Mae’s Brownie Co., Brique French Toastery, Chocolate and the Chip, CVT Soft Serve,  DeLuscious Cookies & Milk, Farm Fresh To You, Gluten Free Goddess,Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Just Jan’s, La Conversation Bakery, Mamala’s Mandel Bread, My/Mochi Ice Cream, Mychal’s Coffee & Bakery, The Gourmandise School, and The Toffee Twins. Coffee and tea will be provided by Caffe Luxxe, DUBA Tea, Pasquini Espresso Co., The Harmony Matcha, and Weaver’s Coffee & Tea.

Top-tier brands will be featuring their finest Spirits and specialty cocktails from favorites such as BUZZBAR®, alcohol-infused ice cream and sorbet bars for adults, Dulce Vida Tequila, Empress 1908 Gin, Funk Harbor Rum, GIN&JUICE by Dre and Snoop, Knox & Dobson, Leon y Sol Tequila, Milagro Tequila, Ron del Barrilito, and Still Moon Moonshine. Specially selected game-winning wineries including Ballers Champagne and Bido Wines showcasing their superb Champagne and Wines.

Common Space Brewery, Duvel and La Chouffe will be pouring Beer, and Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water, Coco-Cola Orange Cream, Last Shot, Robeks Juice, SANPELLEGRINO® CIAO!,Simply® Pop, Sprite, S.Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water, and vitaminwater will be hydrating game players all throughout the event.

Guests will find that every corner of the backlot is another exciting turn in this real-life board game of hope for a cancer-free future. Along the way, they will experience the Brian Kramer Photography Digital Photo Studio, Casino Style Gaming with prizes presented by Pechanga Resort Casino, a Photo Booth by SnapItStudio.com, Specialty Lounge areas provided by Mount Sinai Memorial Parks & Mortuaries, Donation Station at the event sponsored by Anxiety Therapy L.A. who will be matching the first 10K Donations, Spa Services provided by Fairmont Spa Century Plaza, andGlamour Makeovers from the Beauty Bus Foundation.

Another highlight of the evening will be the Online Silent & Live Auction, featuring exclusive items and extraordinary packages, offering attendees one-of-a-kind opportunities to support cancer research. This year’s Live Auction will be Hosted by writer, producer, and host Kimlai Yingling, bringing her signature energy and charm to the stage.

This year, the Concern Foundation is proud to team up with Modern Luxury Angeleno on Angeleno Avenue to celebrate their 25^th anniversary, bringing even more game and giving to the festivities, as they provide additional avenues for enjoyment and support by making a financial contribution to the Concern Foundation, furthering the mission of advancing cancer research.

Mark your calendar, because this is not just another event, it’s a high-stakes, high-reward, heartfelt mission to fund life-saving research. Whether you are spinning the wheel, drawing a card, or making your move, every action helps advance the fight against cancer at this year’s Concern Foundation’s 50^th Annual Block Party!

The Concern Foundation’s 50^th Annual Block Party will take place on Saturday, July 19 from 6pm to 11pm. Click here to buy tickets.

Photo Credits:  Courtesy of Concern Foundation