Pay It Forward with Daniel Curtis on Thursday, Aug. 8

After local hospitality professional Daniel Curtis experienced a serious spinal cord injury in 2011, his family, friends, and co-workers put together a successful benefit for him with the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation. Curtis is now two years into recovery and hosting a benefit to make sure others have access to the same great care.

Daniel Curtis worked towards recovery from his injury with the assistance of the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation. He is now an ardent advocate and knowledgeable spokesperson for the organization. "I've now spent a little over two years of my life in a wheelchair and have gone from being the newbie to playing more of a mentor role," Curtis says. "Because of the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation, Austinites with spinal cord injuries have a recovery center they can go to five days a week for free. It's not just a gym and it's not just for physical recovery; it's a family, a support group, and therapy for the body and the mind. Pay It Forward is about making the necessary resources available so that people can face their life's greatest challenge with not only a sense of hope and purpose, but knowing the chair is just a temporary solution."

Daniel's unique perspective makes him the perfect host for a fundraiser to benefit LSPF. Because of his hospitality background and connections, he and his friends know how to throw great parties, and the annual Pay It Forward event is one of the best sip and stroll shindigs on the Austin charity calendar. This year, one of Austin's favorite cover bands, Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes, will provide the music while Casa Brasil serves coffee, and Tipsy Texan David Alan dispenses handcrafted cocktails featuring local spirits.

And while guests are enjoying music and drinks, an impressive lineup of chefs will be serving signature dishes: Josh Watkins and Plinio Sandalio of the Carillon; Tatsu Aikawa of Ramen Tatsu-ya; John Bates of Noble Sandwich Company; David Bull of Congress and Second Bar + Kitchen; Shawn Cirkiel and Steven Cak of Parkside; Mat Clouser and Callie Speer of Swift's Attic; Jason Dady of Bin 555 in San Antonio; Ned Elliott of Foreign & Domestic; Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue; Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine; Jack Gilmore of Jack Allen's Kitchen; Harold Marmulstein of Salty Sow; Rene Ortiz and Laura Sawicki of La Condesa and Sway; Phillip Speer of Uchi and Uchiko; and Shane Stark of Kenichi.

Tickets to Pay It Forward with Daniel Curtis are $125 for VIP early entry or $75 and are still available here.

Thursday, Aug. 8, 6-10pm

AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center

1900 University