What has gorgeous food, an incredible array of gifts with which to pamper yourself and entertainment from St. Louis’s newest and hottest cabaret singer?

The answer? The J Associates Annual Event which this year is called “Cabaret.”

According to the JCC’s Lisa Liebschutz, “On Mar. 17 Meadowbrook Country Club will be transformed into the glittering world of Cabaret!”

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will start at 6:30, during which time guests will get a preview of Meadowbrook’s outstanding cuisine as well as the opportunity to start bidding on the numerous silent auction items.

These will include gift certificates from St. Louis’s finest shops and restaurants, museum memberships, luxury theme baskets (how about a spa basket!), tickets to Cardinals games and of course, jewelry.

And believe it or not, all this can be yours for only $75, which is a steal.

Dinner will follow, and will feature a sumptuous buffet of culinary treats with absolutely something for everyone. Kosher meals are of course available.

Indicate that you wish to have a kosher meal on your reservation form and you will be pleasantly surprised with what you are served. The dining room promises to be colorful and truly stunning with centerpieces donated by The Floral Depot and special lighting adding to the cabaret ambience.

The highlight of the evening will, of course be a cabaret performance by none other than St. Louis’s own cabaret sensation, Erin Bode. If you don’t know who Erin Bode is you must not listen to A Prairie Home Companion, as Erin Bode was Garrison Keillor’s special guest when he broadcast his popular NPR show in St. Louis from the Fabulous Fox Theatre this past Jan. 20, heard locally on KWMU 90.7 FM.

By the way, Erin and Keillor sold out all 5,000 seats at the Fox within just 12 hours of tickets being made available.

Now you can see Erin up close and personal, and you better check out this gorgeous singer quickly because she is probably not long for St. Louis. She has upcoming tours scheduled both in the States and abroad, and recent national television appearances on Fox and Friends and the CBS Early Show are undoubtedly helping to skyrocket her to national fame. You will love her clear, silken voice and lovely personality. There is no doubt that you will leave a fan.

Following dinner will be the live auction, featuring St. Louis sports personality Joel Goldberg.

This Emmy award winning sportscaster is a host for FSN Midwest.

You have heard him hosting pre-game shows on the Cardinals as well as reporting on the Blues and the Rams. The Riverfront Times has named him Best Sports Broadcast Personality in St. Louis, so he is sure to make the auction an exciting and lively affair.

You do not want to miss an opportunity to bid on these extraordinary auction items, including luxurious vacations in amenity-filled condominiums in Aspen, Vail and Lake of the Ozarks. And I’ll give a sneak peak at the most exciting auction item ever, your own personal evening with Erin Bode.

Yes, Ms. Bode has donated herself! Can’t you see it now? Invite your friends over for dinner and oh, just happen to have Erin Bode there to entertain.

Talk about up close and personal.

As we get closer to the event you will be able to go to jccstl.org to view auction items.

Bring up the website, then go to J Associates at the bottom of the page and on the J Associates page you will find a link to Cabaret.

Chairing this incredible event are Susie Tenzer and Lyn Bortnick, ably assisted by a committee of 25 dedicated volunteers.

The generous sponsor of the event is UMB Bank. Hats off to UMB! And you don’t even have to feel guilty for indulging yourself in such a fabulous evening as all the proceeds go to support programs at the JCC, including Early Childhood Services, Adult Programs, Day Camps and the Roswell & Wilma Messing Cultural Arts & Education Department.

Programs are available to all, regardless of race, religion, age, or ability to pay. So far, the J Associates have donated over a half a million dollars to programs at the J.

To find out more about this once in a lifetime event, contact Lisa at [email protected], or by phone at 314-442-3188.