Dawes, Todd Rundgren and Celebrity Chefs Scott Conant, Cat Cora, Aaron Sanchez and more to Kick-Off Inaugural Life is Beautiful Festival

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Life is Beautiful Festival releases more details about its kick-off party featuring musical performances by Dawes and Todd Rundgren. On Friday, October 25, 2013, from 8pm – Midnight, 16 celebrity chefs will come together to participate in "Grills & Guitars," a celebration of the beloved backyard barbecue combining creative open flame cookery with craft brews, artisanal wines and original cocktails created by some of the country's finest mixologists. 

Participating chefs, including Clayton Arakawa, Bruce & Eric Bromberg, Kim Canteenwalla, Scott Conant, Cat Cora, Susan Feniger, Mary Sue Milliken, Rick Moonen, David Myers, Aaron Sanchez and Jet Tila, will serve dishes like Whole Roast Goat Enchiladas, Shrimp and Sugar Cane Skewers and Whole Hawaiian Pigs smothers with Big Island Hearts of Palm. Special appearances will be made by chefs Tom Colicchio, Nancy Silverton and Michael Symon.

Celebrated Chef Jonathan Waxman will be honored with the first-ever commemorative award at the event for his dedication to educating and mentoring many of today's top toques including all of the chefs in attendance.

"Waxy's approach to life is mirrored by the way he cooks," says Bruce Bromberg, Blue Ribbon Restaurants and Head of Life is Beautiful Festival's Culinary Advisory Board. "Respect, compassion, confidence and humility are at his core and his unwavering love of life and food evoke huge smiles from even his casual acquaintances so you can imagine what it's like to be called his friend."

Tickets are available for purchase here; Price: $175, VIP $225 *Does not require purchase of a festival ticket, must be 21 or over.

Tickets for the Life is Beautiful Festival Culinary Programs are available for purchase at www.lifeisbeautifulfestival.com

Watch the Culinary Experiences video

Regular Two-Day General Admission & VIP Tickets for the 2013 Life is Beautiful Festival are available for purchase at www.lifeisbeautifulfestival.com

General Admission Tickets:

• Regular Two-Day GA: $159.50

 VIP Tickets:

• Two-Day VIP Ticket: $349.50
  • VIP tickets include: Exclusive VIP lounge with shade, lounge seating, activities and more; Viewing Areas at Main Stages; VIP restroom facilities; Access to special VIP food concessions; Access to special VIP beer, wine and spirits concessions; Commemorative Poster and more.

Life is Beautiful Festival Sponsors

Sponsors of the inaugural Festival include Wirtz Beverage Nevada, Heineken USA, Esquire Magazine, Las Vegas Review Journal, Travel + Leisure, Sub-Zero Wolf, Westar Kitchen & Bath, Las Vegas Events, Cirque du Soleil, Zappos.com, Red Bull, El Cortez Hotel & Casino, the D Las Vegas, Toyota, Whole Foods Market, Le Creuset, Airstream 2 Go, Chef Works, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and Flamingo Las Vegas.*Sponsors listed are current as of release date.

Life is Beautiful Festival is being developed by Aurelian Marketing Group in partnership with Another Planet Entertainment, MAKTUB Marketing and Downtown Project. Visit www.lifeisbeautifulfestival.com and sign up to receive information updates via email. Connect with the Life is Beautiful team socially at Facebook.com/LIBFestival and Twitter.com/LifeIsBeautiful.

SOURCE Aurelian Marketing Group