April 30, 2014 | It may be 2014, but friends of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute can still party like it’s 1999 when it comes to supporting cancer research.

More than 350 supporters of the Cancer Institute turned out April 26 at the fifth annual RockStar Lounge featuring Prince tribute band Vince and the Revelation.

The event raised about $70,000 for research programs at the Cancer Institute. It was hosted by the Envoys, an advocacy group whose mission is to advance the outreach efforts of the Cancer Institute by promoting its physicians, scientists, programs and vision. Hatim Smouni and Alex Ifrah were the event chairs.

“We are grateful to everyone who made RockStar Lounge possible. This was our most successful one yet, and we look forward to awarding the proceeds to our scientists as grants to further their research,” Cancer Institute Director Peter Emanuel, M.D., said.

Held in a warehouse at Rock Town Distillery in Little Rock, the event featured Prince-themed décor and food, including everything from red Corvettes parked at the entrance to desserts in Prince’s signature color — purple.

Guests enjoyed a concert by Vince and the Revelation, a buffet concert-themed fare by Down Home Catering, libations provided by beverage sponsor Glazer’s, and an after party featuring video jockey G Force. Cancer Institute scientists and doctors served as bartenders, generating about $1,000 in tips to benefit the cause.

Proceeds from the event will be presented in early 2015 as Seeds of Science grants to Cancer Institute scientists. The 2014 Seeds of Science grant recipients, announced in February, are Ling Gao, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology in the UAMS College of Medicine; Robert L. Eoff, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the UAMS College of Medicine; and Mohammed S. Orloff, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the UAMS College of Public Health.