Someone sure must have had fun designing these invitations: As each fold of the copper-colored bid was opened, a little more information was revealed about the who (the Colorado Symphony Orchestra), the what (its season-opening gala), and the treat that awaited when guests finished dinners in the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom and repaired to Boettcher Hall to hear Johnny Mathis sing with the orchestra.
His voice, the invitations reminded, was as smooth as silk – a fact underscored by squares of silk fabric tucked inside each bid.
CBS 4 vice president and general manager Walt DeHaven chaired the gala with Shelly DeHaven, making it a grand occasion that drew a capacity crowd. Festivities began with cocktails and a silent auction; during dinner, the first Golden Baton Award was presented to Colorado Expression publisher Terry Vitale for her support of the Denver and Front Range cultural community.
Guests included Cy Harvey, who recently succeeded Jerry Kern and Mary Rossick Kern as chair of the CSO board, and his wife, Lyndia, and daughter, Amy; concertmaster YuMi Hwang-Williams; and the CSO’s chief executive, Douglas Adams and his wife, Pamela.
Win a “CSI” walk-on role
The chance to win a walk-on role in “CSI Miami” is to be auctioned Oct. 23 when Hospice of St. John stages its annual dinner at 240 Union in Lakewood. The high bidder also will receive a guided tour of the TV show’s set. This is the 15th year that 240 Union owner Michael Coughlin and chef Matthew Franklin have donated the food and beverages for this benefit. Tickets are $75 if purchased by Monday and $80 thereafter. Call Melissa Powell or Jennifer White, 303-232-7900.
Calling all urban cowboys
Meanwhile, on Saturday night, the Ascent Foundation hosts an Urban Cowboy-themed party at the Walnut Foundry Event Center to benefit SafeHouse Denver. There’ll be a barbecue buffet, mechanical bull, arm wrestling, lassoing and line dancing to the music of the Railbenders, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $60 and also include a martini bar, Coors beer and the chance to take part in a best-dressed contest sponsored by Park Meadows Shopping Center. For tickets, call Renu Poduval at 303-302-6123 or visit rpoduval@safehouse-denver.org.
Laughs for Lupus
Gary Gulman, Corey Kahaney and Dan Naturman, who got their start on “Last Comic Standing,” headline Laughs for Lupus on Oct. 27 at Teikyo Loretto Heights Theater. Veterinarian Kevin Fitzgerald emcees this benefit for the Lupus Foundation of Colorado; tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
