Claiming not to have the foggiest idea of what to wear to the National Repertory Orchestra’s Summer Gala – long? short? fire-engine red? basic black? – isn’t going to be a valid lament in 2005. At least not for those who attended the kickoff party hosted by chairwoman Sharon Magness Blake and her husband, Ernie.
In addition to supplying the vital statistics for the July 8 dinner, auction and concert, the hostess invited Neiman Marcus Cherry Creek to stage an informal showing of gowns that would be just the ticket for the benefit being held at the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom.
Store manager Christel Dikeman and spokeswoman Nancy Sagar brought quite an assortment of eveningwear with them, gowns that would flatter a variety of shapes, sizes and ages. “If you see me pull out my credit card, call 911,” said joking committee member Steve Edmonds, who recently became the vice president for development at Hospice of Metro Denver.
The not-for-profit NRO is based in Breckenridge. Every summer it gives 86 young musicians, handpicked by music director Carl Topilow following a nationwide series of auditions, the opportunity to further their skills in an intensive program that includes 35 concerts, coaching sessions, master classes, music therapy and career-development lectures. Ernie Blake is a past president of its board.
Suzy Witzler, a six-year board member who divides her time between Denver and Keystone, is co-chairing the $175-a-ticket gala. Emcee will be CBS4 News anchor Ed Greene.
Guests at the kickoff included current board president Sandy Mortensen; attorney Walter Gerash; Judi and Marvin Wolf; University of Phoenix regional chief Debra Abbott; wildlife artist Larry Fanning and wife Wanda; and banker Bob Malone, with wife Kalleen.
Also, Vicki and Trygve Myhren ; Sherrye Berger; Adrienne and Jack Fitzgibbons; Ann and Tom Rader; Terri and Dr. John Biddinger; and Kate and Jim Taucher.
Circle the date
The charity circuit is hopping on Wednesday, what with National Jewish Medical and Research Center’s annual InSPAration expo and luncheon (303-398-1122); a reception (303-572-4594) that Margot and Allan Frank are having at Phipps Mansion to introduce the Denver Center Theatre Company’s new artistic director, Kent Thompson; Shalom Park’s annual dinner (www.shalompark.org) at the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom; and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Dinner of Champions (303-813-6687), honoring National Sports Center for the Disabled founder Hal O’Leary and actress Teri Garr.
Thursday will find friends of the Denver Public Schools Foundation (720-423-3553) gathering at the Adam’s Mark Hotel for a dinner that salutes departing Superintendent Jerry Wartgow, while on Friday night, Rainbow Bridge (303-623-1176) hosts Intergenerational Idols, a 7 p.m. talent show at Grandview High School.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-820-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.Caption:
Thursday 1: NRO Gala chairwoman Sharon Magness Blake, center, with Bill and Yvonne McCallum. Photo by Joanne Davidson
More online: See additional pictures from the NRO Gala kickoff www.denverpost.com
