Las Vegas hosts gala to benefit Pit Bull rescue group

By Jerry Fink (contact)

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 | 12:48 p.m.

Pit Bull rescuers will host a fundraiser this weekend featuring a movie premiere, chef’s dinner, art auction, concert and a VIP after party.

The Great Pit Ball will be held at The Palms and Mandalay Bay to raise money for the Villalobos Animal Rescue Center in Canyon Country, Calif., near Los Angeles.

The Center is a rescue, rehabilitation and placement facility for abused and abandoned Pit Bulls. The facility, the largest of its kind in the world, is owned and operated by Tia Maria Torres and her family who tend to and help rehabilitate the 150-250 Pit Bulls who are in her care at any time. They have a daily average of 200 dogs in their care with an average placement rate of about one dog per month. For more information, visit www.vrcpitbull.com.

Spearheaded by Brandon Bond, renowned tattoo artist and owner of All or Nothing Tattoo in Atlanta, and Ralph Perazzo, award-winning pastry chef and owner of Rare Concepts Group, the Great Pit Ball will feature:

• 5 p.m. - Dining for the Dogs Dinner at The Palms – Ralph Perazzo has gathered some of his favorite Las Vegas chefs, including Rick Moonen of RM Seafood (Mandalay Bay) and Joe Elevado of Social House (Treasure Island), to serve up their favorite dishes at a station-style dinner. Additionally, Nashville sensation Kimber Cleveland will perform a private acoustic concert for guests. $50 per person. Event also features an art auction and private concert by Kimber Cleveland.

• 8 p.m. - Red Carpet

• 9 p.m. - World premiere of "Vicktory to the Underdog" at Brenden Theaters at The Palms – hosted by Bond (the film’s director), with several of the film’s stars on hand, including actors Danny Trejo ("Heat," "From Dusk Till Dawn"), Donal Logue (TV’s “Life,” Zodiac, Ghost Rider), Bob Barker (TV’s “The Price is Right”), Michael Berryman ("The Devil’s Rejects," "Weird Science") and Pixie Acia (TV’s “LA Ink”). The film takes an in-depth look at Bond’s efforts to rescue Pit Bulls, including the infamous Michael Vick dogs. $25 per person.

• Art Show – The nation’s top tattoo and alternative artists have donated an incredible collection of art for sale. Some artists will be present to sign autographs and take photographs with guests who purchase their pieces.

• Concert and VIP After Party – A show after the movie featuring Sick of it All, Madball, The Spyderz and Toetag. The bands will rock at the famed House of Blues. $25 per person.

Animal Planet will film the Great Pit Ball as the season finale for “Outlaw Dogz,” a program currently in production scheduled to air in 2009. The six episode series, based on Villalobos Animal Rescue Center and its work saving Pit Bulls, is being filmed on location at Villalobos.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.allornothingtattoo.com.

Attendees can purchase the complete VIP package for $150, which includes entry into all of the day’s events, reserved VIP seating at the movie premiere, chef’s dinner and concert, as well as a gift bag containing autographed limited-edition copies of the film, the bands’ CDs, a concert poster and more. In addition to bypassing all lines, VIP ticket holders will also receive free drinks at some of the events. Pricing for individual events is listed below.