Sip for a Cause at Perfect Pour: Wild At Heart

Indulge in the sensory journey of Perfect Pour: Wild at Heart as we celebrate the art of mixology, live music, and support Nebraska Children and Families Foundation.

In a world that is constantly evolving, equipping children, young adults, and families with the necessary resources and skills to thrive is of paramount importance. Proceeds from this event will underwrite the work of Nebraska Children as it supports children, young people, and families with the overall goal of ensuring our state’s kids have the opportunity to thrive. We do this by investing in communities to strengthen families so their children can grow up to be thriving, productive adults.

Perfect Pour, Wild at Heart is a craft cocktail tasting benefiting Nebraska Children, presented by Friends of Nebraska Children. This event will showcase the creativity and expertise of local mixologists who will be crafting their finest concoctions using the renowned Monkey 47 – Schwarzwald Dry Gin.

What to Expect:

• Craft Cocktail Tasting: Imaginative, mouthwatering cocktails featuring Monkey 47 – Schwarzwald Dry Gin as their key ingredient.  
• Live Music and Entertainment: Immerse yourself in a lively atmosphere with live music and entertainment. 
• Silent Auction and Raffle: Cruise our impressive selection of silent auction items and take part in the excitement.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, August 26, 2023 
• Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Central)
• Venue: Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha
• Cost: Advance tickets are $75, $100 at the door
• Tickets: On Sale Now

Get Ready to Sip, Savor, and Celebrate

During this craft cocktail tasting, attendees will sample cocktails created by local bartenders and mixologists, take in the live music including marimba by Mike Pollock and reggae with the Ro Hempel Band, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and participate in the silent auction and raffle.

Our selected mixologists are excited to display their creativity and skill from classic concoctions to innovative blends, for this unforgettable evening of taste exploration.

• Hannah Randoja
  Lincoln, Nebraska
  In the realm of mixology, three words describe the essence of Hannah Randoja’s profession: fast-paced, creative, and collaborative. She crafts experiences that transcended mere beverages to create unique experiences for her patrons. Hannah fell in love with the profession while working at Alchemy Aqua Vitae in Lincoln, Nebraska. Perfect Pour offers Hannah the opportunity to explore an entirely different take on gin than she has taken before. For Hannah, Monkey 47 – Schwarzwald Dry Gin triggers a nostalgic rush, reminiscent of holiday memories with her family. Picture notes of chocolate, nutmeg, and cherry which combine to create a warmth that envelopes you with every sip. Come embrace the familiarity and warmth with Hannah’s Perfect Pour craft cocktail.

• Melissa Leuschen
  Omaha, Nebraska
  Amidst the uncertainty of Covid lockdowns, a spark ignited within Melissa – a passion that would shape her world in unexpected ways. Craft cocktails became her creative outlet and years spent in the service industry paved the way for a deep love for people and the art of mixology.  In her own words, “I loved the idea of being able to create limitless unique cocktails using any combination of ingredients and my imagination.” As a seasoned cocktail creator at Nosh Restaurant and Wine Lounge in Omaha, Nebraska, Melissa plans to bring her cocktail, ‘The Monkey’s Ankles’ to Perfect Pour. A drink that highlights the intricate botanical medley of Monkey 47 – Schwarzwald Dry Gin – all while spotlighting Melissa’s creativity, connection, and artistry.
  
  
• Deion Bass
  Omaha, Nebraska
  The tropical vibes and laid-back charm of Hawaii had Deion Bass falling in love with tiki cocktails. Upon trying one, he knew he wanted to pursue creating them, with his own spin. Deion’s passion for crafting cocktails led him to the heart of Omaha, Nebraska where he now creates cocktails as the master barkeep at Proof Cocktails and Whiskey. Deion stands as a pillar in Omaha’s ever-evolving cocktail scene, a scene he believes is on the cusp of something grand. He sees Omaha taking its place alongside the likes of Chicago, New York, and even Spain in the world of mixology. His words resound with confidence as he speaks of the untapped potential nestled within the city’s bars. Deion is looking forward to sharing his cocktail (Affaires de Singe) at Perfect Pour. Described as “marvelous”, the drink gives a bright balanced fruit forward view of a gin cocktail that moves from dry to spry not suffering from cocktail degradation.
  

• Mark Beneda
  Omaha, Nebraska
  Mark Beneda has loved bartending since day one and it’s due to the amazing journey and people he has meet over the years. This love for bartending includes working at four different bars in Omaha, including Rudy’s Christmas Bar, Maloney’s Irish Pub (both locations), and Jerry’s Bar. Describing Monkey 47- Schwartzwald Dry Gin as “very botanical, and simply the best gin I’ve ever had,” Mark is excited to bring his Christmas-inspired cocktail to Perfect Pour. If Mark could be drinking Monkey 47 – Schwarzwald Dry Gin anywhere in the world, he would choose to drink it on the rocks somewhere nice and cold – like Alaska or Sweden.
  
  
• Kenzie Rhode
  Omaha, Nebraska
  In the realm of mixology, where flavors intertwine and memories are crafted, Kenzie Rhode discovered a world that ignited her imagination and passion. Captivated by the sight of a skilled bartender’s artistry, coupled with the ability to create unique experiences for each patron led Kenzie to a career in bartending. As a vital asset to Maven Social – a collective of local bars and restaurants that boasts Wicked Rabbit, Laka Lono, and The Berry & Rye—she breathes life into gatherings, turning them into unforgettable experiences. Kenzie looks forward to sharing her cocktail that utilizes a fun molecular gastronomy technique that adds a unique wow-factor to her drink. She looks forward to the opportunity to crafting experiences with her personal touch at Perfect Pour!

Creating Brighter Futures Together

Perfect Pour is made possible by the dedicated efforts of Friends of Nebraska Children and our generous event sponsors. Together, we aim to create a memorable event that not only delights your senses but also contributes to the future of Nebraska’s children.

We’re particularly thankful to the event sponsors, with presenting sponsor The Sunny Durham Family Foundation and entertainment sponsor Monkey 47 – Schwarzwald Dry Gin. We are also thankful for other generous individuals and organizations including Duncan Aviation, Gaines Family, Lutz, Alison and Fernando Guiterrez, Kutak Rock, Titanium Fire Sprinkler Company, Dermatology Specialists of Omaha, Fraser Stryker, Dr. Rudy and Suzanne Kotula and Scheels. 

Thanks to your support through events like Perfect Pour, Nebraska Children has continued to enhance programs like our Connected Youth Initiative (CYI) that creates positive outcomes for resilient young people who experienced foster care. Beyond School Bells (BSB), our afterschool network, continues to spread expanded learning opportunities far and wide from Nebraska to Taiwan. Rooted in Relationships (RiR) encourages children to enjoy loving and healthy interactions with friends, families, and caregivers. Communities for Kids (C4K) works statewide to create access to quality childcare to communities where it is desperately needed.

Won’t you join us for a spirited night of investing in the future generations of your community and the state of Nebraska? Join Perfect Pour, Tickets on Sale Today: PerfectPour.org.

Check out event photos from previous Perfect Pour Events: