Queenmary

AOPA Foundation announces 'A Night for Flight'

The AOPA Foundation is proud to announce the inaugural A Night For Flight benefit aboard the historic RMS Queen Mary on Nov. 13.

This benefit will help fund critical preservation and improvement initiatives that the AOPA Foundation supports to ensure the future of general aviation including community airports, pilot safety education, growing the pilot population and educating the public on the benefits of GA.

The evening begins with an open bar, hors d'oeurves and opportunities to bid on fabulous online auction items. Mingle with old and new friends during this cocktail hour, take in the beautiful Long Beach Skyline from the Verandah Deck and celebrate your summit experience while supporting GA!

Enjoy a spectacular three-course dinner in the Britannia Salon, prepared by the award winning and internationally recognized Chef Larry Banares who brings more than 24 years experience as chef, culinary director, and television personality to the kitchen of the RMS Queen Mary. Highly recognized for his culinary accomplishments, Chef Larry was a member of the 1992, 1996 and 1998 U.S.A. Culinary Teams, winning three gold medals and a special "cloverleaf" award at the world's most prestigious cooking competition, the "Culinary Olympics".

A Night for Flight will host headline entertainment by the world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli.

John Pizzarelli has cultivated a winning international career by singing classic standards and late-night ballads, and by playing sublime and inventive guitar. Using greats like Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra and the songs of writers like Richard Rogers, Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen as touchstones, Pizzarelli is among the prime revivalists of the great American songbook, bringing to his work the cool jazz flavor of his brilliant guitar playing. Pizzarelli is the winner of the prestigious 2009 Ella Fitzgerald Award.

Bidding for the online auction will begin Oct. 1 and culminates Nov. 13. Register online.

The event reception takes place from 6 to 7 p.m., with dinner and entertainment running from 7 to 10 p.m. Complimentary transportation to the RMS Queen Mary will be provided from the Long Beach Hyatt, Renaissance, Westin, Hotel Maya, Courtyard Marriott, Best Western at the Convention Center, and the Rodeway Inn from 5:45 to 10:30 p.m.