ROCKSTAR LOUNGE

Institute parties down

UAMS ‘groupies’ salute King of Pop with $53,000 raised at benefit

"Party like a rock star" is a popular catchphrase. Well, guests of RockStar Lounge took it literally. Not that they weren't encouraged by organizers, who describe this happening as "a rock 'n' roll event where 'groupies' of the [University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences] Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute 'band' together to raise 'fans and funds' for cancer research."

The sixth annual RockStar Lounge took place April 17 amid an intriguing backdrop ... barrels of maturing whiskey at Rock Town Distillery in Little Rock. Guests were encouraged to wear their "best concert chic rock-star attire."

The "rock star" highlighted this year was the late King of Pop himself ... Michael Jackson, whose '80s-era silver, glittery glove was duplicated in a wearable party favor given to each guest. Refreshments consisted of food-truck fare from Waffle Wagon, Loblolly Creamery, Southern Salt Co. and Hot Rod Wieners. Representatives from Delete Blood Cancer showed up to sign up potential bone marrow donors.

Featured entertainment was by the renowned Who's Bad, the Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band. Two "Michaels" -- the physically and vocally skilled Joseph Bell and Taalib York -- kept the concert flowing continuously with dizzying, infectious performances of a bevy of Jackson hits, including "Thriller," "Beat It," "Billy Jean" and "Man in the Mirror." Big screens blasted bits and pieces of Michael Jackson videos. After the concert, disc and video jockey G-Force kept partygoers moving with a mix of dance-able hits.

RockStar Lounge rocked in more than $53,000, which will be used for cancer research, according to Catherine Tapp, director of special events for the institute. Specifically, it's used for Seeds of Science grants of $10,000 each to the winning applicants. More than $100,000 worth of this seed money -- all of which stays in the state -- has been distributed thus far, Tapp says.

-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams

High Profile on 04/26/2015

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