An assault on the senses with color, music, high stakes games, beauty and intrigue around every corner is what the fantasy casino night known as Pandora's Box in Paradise will be.
It's an evening that will include performances by the renowned European strolling musicians, the Gypsy Queens, a montage of burlesque by Dita Von Teese and an adrenaline-filled improvisational painting performance by Dan Dunn of Paintjam (as seen on Ellen, Jimmy Fallon and America's Got Talent).
With an exotic array of fine food and libations, you are invited to peek into -- and then step into Pandora's Box -- a fundraising extravaganza to benefit children's charities including the Ranfurly Homes for Children, Bilney Lane Children's Home, Children's Emergency Hostel and the Elizabeth Estates Children's Home, in the Imperial Ballroom at the Atlantis on Friday, February 1. Cocktails are scheduled for 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- after that the craziness that will pop out of Pandora's Box continues until late.
A fantasy charity casino will be a highlight of the evening. Fantasy chips won at gaming tables can be used to purchase raffle tickets for a chance at extravagant prizes worth $650,000 worth of amazing raffle and auction prizes such as a $135,000 (2012) Mercedes-Benz CLS 350; a $25,000 shopping spree at John Bull and at Chopard, courtesy of the Chee-A-Tow family; a luxury trip on a G500 private jet that can be used in the United States; a one-week cruise to be used in southern Italy on a 165-foot private yacht; a two or four-seat golf cart by Shirley Enterprises Ltd. and a 10-night stay at any One&Only Resort.
Pandora's Box in Paradise is a charity fundraiser that Harry Cohen and his colleagues came up with to benefit children's charities in The Bahamas. They approached Atlantis with the idea of the fantasy casino night and they were hooked.
"Pandora's Box conjures up the image of opening up a box and being surprised by everything one finds in it," said George Markantonis, president and managing director at Kerzner International (Bahamas) of the intriguing evening. "It's a fantasy casino night [with] spectacular prizes that people can win. It's fantasy gaming in a fun way with a live auction, silent auction and a raffle as well," he said.
Fantasy chips won can be used to purchase raffle tickets, or tickets can be purchased independently with cash or credit card.
"We searched all over to get the best [entertainment] for the Atlantis," said Cohen, chairman of the event's organization committee, referring to Von Teese, the Gypsy Queens and Dunn. We hope [people] will be attracted to this event because it gives them an opportunity to gamble and have fun in a fantasy way, and also partake in good food and good entertainment and all proceeds go to charity."
The goal is to reach $300,000 at the end of the Pandora's Box in Paradise evening. The event can accommodate 500 people. Cohen said the response has been overwhelming.
Tickets for Pandora's Box in Paradise are $500 per person or $4,500 per 10-person table and includes unlimited drinks, fantastic dining, a cigar bar and $1,000 in fantasy chips. To reserve tickets, call the Atlantis Box office at 363-6601 or email box.office@atlantisparadise.com.
PANDORA'S BOX IN PARADISE
When: Friday, February 1
Where: Imperial Ballroom at the Atlantis
Time: Cocktails 7 p.m. - 8 p.m., Pandora's box 8 p.m. until late
Benefit: Children's charities in The Bahamas
Tickets: $500 per person or $4,500 per 10-person table, includes unlimited drinks, fantastic dining, a cigar bar and $1,000 in fantasy chips.
Box office: To reserve tickets, call the Atlantis Box office at 363-6601 or email box.office@atlantisparadise.com.
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