From Thursday, September 25 through Sunday, September 28, the Napa Valley will celebrate its community spirit and continued generosity in the wake of the recent earthquake. A coalition of community members, chefs, vintners, and business owners across the valley are planning Napa Valley Rocks!, four fun-filled days to “sip, savor, shop, shake & support” the many Napa Valley residents and businesses affected by the August 24th earthquake.
The goals for the weekend are to raise awareness that downtown Napa is open for business; raise money for residents and local businesses affected by the earthquake; and to raise the spirits of local friends and families in the wake of recent events. 100% of the monies raised will flow through to the Napa Valley Community Relief Fund to support those in need. The Napa Valley Community Relief Fund is administered by the Napa Valley Community Foundation and was created with a $10 million lead gift from the Napa Valley Vintners. Nearly everyone involved in the production of Napa Valley Rocks! is donating their time and resources to maximize the financial benefit.
The fun begins Thursday, September 25 with Nourish Napa, a star-studded charity wine-pairing dinner at the Napa Valley Marriott. This multi-course dinner will feature many of Napa Valley’s top chefs and vintners. A variety of community activities are in development for Friday and Saturday with the goal of attracting people to visit and support downtown Napa, including a free concert on Friday evening, September 26 at Veterans Park in Napa, and a community meet up at the Napa Farmers Market on Saturday morning, September 27. On Sunday, September 28, runners will participate in the Napa Half Marathon, and the fundraising weekend will crescendo at the Napa Valley Expo with Napa Rocks!, a family-friendly afternoon concert featuring performances by Napa’s own Grass Child, Afrolicious and acclaimed recording artist Michael Franti & Spearhead.
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“The outpouring of instant support from the contributing Napa Valley chefs, winemakers, and business owners is powerful,” stated Napa Valley Marriott Executive Chef Brian Whitmer, who is organizing Nourish Napa. “It is clear just in the planning stages that the entire weekend of activities will be a spectacular effort intended to raise awareness and as much money as possible for those in need.”
To date, the following events announced include:
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Nourish Napa – Thursday, September 25 at 6:00pm at the Napa Valley Marriott, Napa
Several of Napa Valley’s top chefs and vintners have teamed up to present an ultimate wine and food evening that can only be found in the Napa Valley. Chefs and restaurants including Michelin Star Ken Frank of La Toque, Tyler Rodde of Oenotri, Brian Whitmer of VinEleven, Todd Humphries of Kitchen Door, Michael Gyetvan of Norman Rose Tavern, plus Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s eponymous Morimoto Napa, ZuZu, Angéle and Sweetie Pies will create courses expertly paired with exclusive Napa Valley wines. Live music, a silent and live auction along with other surprises ensure this will be an evening to remember. Tickets are limited and are $200 per person. 100% of net proceeds will go to the Napa Valley Community Relief Fund.
Napa Night Out – Friday, September 26 in Downtown Napa
Downtown Napa presents Napa Night Out on Friday, September 26. Shop, stroll, savor and sip through downtown enjoying all that Napa has to offer, including a free community concert beginning at 6:30pm at Veterans Park on Main Street between 2nd and 3rd streets. Enjoy some of the best local talent, have some fun and don’t forget to say hi, give a hug and show support for downtown Napa!
Community Meet Up at the Napa Farmers Market – Saturday, September 27 from 8:00am to 12:30pm at Oxbow Public Market
Want to know what’s really happening in any community? Hang out at its farmers market. The Napa Farmers Market takes place every Tuesday and Saturday from 8:00am to 12:30pm, May thru October, in Oxbow Public Market’s south parking lot at 610 First Street, offering the very best in homegrown fruits and veggies, and locally made food products. Come get a taste of Napa – straight from the source. On September 27, a donation table will be at the market, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Napa Valley Community Relief Fund. www.napafarmersmarket.com
Napa Half Marathon – Sunday, September 28, 7:00am at Skyline Park, Napa
The Napa Half is a half marathon that starts and finishes at Skyline Park and winds through scenic Napa County with beautiful vineyards and spectacular vistas throughout the entire course. The Napa Half will donate 100% of the race’s net proceeds to the Napa Valley Community Relief Fund. www.napahalf.com
Napa Rocks! Featuring Michael Franti & Spearhead – Sunday, September 28 from noon to 5:00pm at Napa Valley Expo
The Napa Valley Expo will host Napa Rocks!, a benefit concert featuring acclaimed recording artist Michael Franti & Spearhead, dance-fusion collective Afrolicious, and Napa favorite Grass Child, plus wine from Napa Valley Vintners, beer from local breweries, and bites from area restaurants and food trucks. In addition, representatives from community organizations, Napa County Sheriff POPP-Unit, PG&E and others will be on hand to share preparedness information and resources with the community. Tickets are $20 per person, children under the age of 1 are free. 100% of tickets, beer, and wine sales will go direct to the Napa Valley Community Relief Fund.
For more information on Napa Valley Rocks!, and to purchase individual event tickets, please visit: www.napavalleyrocksweekend.com. More activities and opportunities may be added, check back often.
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ABOUT NAPA VALLEY ROCKS!
Napa Valley Rocks is a fundraising event for the community, by the community. Attendees will Shop, Shake, Sip, Savor & Support community relief efforts from Thursday, September 25 through Sunday, September 28, 2014. Proceeds will benefit residents and businesses that were impacted by the 2014 South Napa Earthquake. To volunteer, donate or sponsor the event, please contact NapaValleyRocks@gmail.com.
ABOUT THE NAPA VALLEY COMMUNITY RELIEF FUND
The Napa Valley Community Relief Fund is administered by the Napa Valley Community Foundation and was created with a $10 million lead gift from the Napa Valley Vintners following the 2014 Napa Earthquake. Napa Valley Community Foundation is developing eligibility criteria and application materials, which will be available soon. If you are a homeowner, renter, business owner or nonprofit that has been adversely effected by the quake, and you would like to be notified when eligibility criteria and application materials are available, please contact Karla Márquez at Napa Valley Community Foundation to be placed on our list. Karla is bilingual and can be reached at Karla@napavalleycf.org or 707.254.9565 x 10. You can also visit our website for the latest information: www.napavalleycf.org
ABOUT THE NAPA VALLEY MARRIOTT HOTEL & SPA
The Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa at 3425 Solano Ave. in Napa, CA, is just off of Highway 29, making it easy for guests to explore the Napa Wine Country. The hotel features 270 rooms and five suites on two floors, one concierge level and 13 meeting rooms with 12,000 square feet of flexible event space. A beautiful lobby boasts the world-class VINeleven restaurant, while the full-service Preserve Spa is also conveniently located on property. A market with a Starbucks, fitness center, outdoor pool and whirlpool are among other amenities available. For information, visit www.NapaValleyMarriott.com or call 1-707-253-8600. Like the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NapaHotel and follow the hotel on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NapaMarriott.
ABOUT NAPA ROCKS!
The Napa Rocks! Coalition was created through the generous contributions of time and resources by Napa Valley Expo, Napa Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Napa Association and BottleRock Napa Valley. Sponsors of Napa Rocks! include: PG&E, Rabobank, The Gasser Foundation, Napa Valley Vintners, Visit Napa Valley, Napa Smith Brewing, Napa Point Brewing Company, Lagunitas Brewing Company, DBI Distributors, Eventbrite, Accurate Staging , and Delicate Productions.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
For more information about the Napa Valley Rocks! Weekend or to schedule an interview, contact:
Heather Piazza, Piazza Marketing Concepts
707.344.7881 or Heather@PiazzaMarketing.com
Tom Fuller and Monty Sander, Fuller & Sander Communications
707.253.0868, tom@fullerandsander.com or
707.253.8503, monty@fullerandsander.com
For more information about Napa Rocks! on Sunday, September 28, or to schedule an interview, contact:
Nisha Gulati, Latitude 38 Entertainment/BottleRock Napa Valley
415-885-9585 or nisha@latitude38ent.com