Intergenerational Idols, the annual talent showcase presented by Rainbow Bridge, always offers the unexpected – just like the television show that inspired it.
But while “American Idol” devotees are wincing at sour notes, shaking their heads in disbelief over votes submitted by millions of fans or shifting uneasily in their seats while a judge dissolves in tears, fans of the Intergenerational Idols are being pleasantly surprised.
This year’s show-stopper was the grand finale that starred LaFawn Biddle. Dressed in a white beaded dress, she reprised a lip-
synched version of “I Want to Get Married,” something she had performed in a talent show decades before when she and her late husband, Dusty, had just started dating.
Biddle’s turn on the stage at Teikyo Loretto Heights University was greeted with the same wild applause with which it had been received all those years ago. Twelve other acts were featured along with her, including the cast from St. Mary’s Academy’s “Seussical the Musical,” the Grace Notes, the Cherry Creek Bruins Step Club, a Littleton High School string ensemble and the cast from Graland Country Day School’s production of “Groovy!”
In addition, pioneering audiologist Marion Downs was given the Golden Rainbow Award for her work with the hearing impaired.
Chairmen were Nancy Boldiszar, Pat Robinson and Lou Walters; the appreciative audience included Donna and Dr. Karl Bernklau; Lee Moore; Theresa and William Funderburg; Pattie Van Huffel; Nikola and Janice Jurasic; Sandee Walling; Liz Breuer; Herb and Sandra Wittow; Grace Samuelson; Anita and Dr. Joe Becky; Connie Yoder; Dr. Donna Bogard; David and Marie Martinez; Elsie Hawes; and Mary McNicholas, who organized the silent auction held immediately before the show.
You should also know
“I’m Stronger Than I Look,” a breast cancer survival story by Day of Caring founder Sue Miller, is now No. 4 on the local best-seller list for nonfiction paperbacks.
Tales of Triumph: An Evening of True Fables is the theme for the Special Olympics Colorado Hall of Fame Dinner. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Friday at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center; inductees include Tammy Davidson (outstanding female athlete); Matthew Mighan (outstanding male athlete) and Rick Lovato (outstanding coach).
Motown greats the Spinners entertain Saturday night at the Urban League’s 60th annual Whitney M. Young Awards Gala. Honorees at the black-tie affair held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel include state Sen. Peter Groff (the McKinley Harris Distinguished Warrior Award); Denver Weekly News and the Rev. Claudette Sweet (Corporate Community Award); and Syl Morgan-Smith (Community Award). Sharon Alexander Holt is the Urban League’s chief executive; tickets can be purchased by calling 303-388-5861.
On Monday, Philippa Glanville, former chief curator of metalwork for the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, discusses Royal Ceremony: The Splendor of Dining at the English Court when the Denver Art Museum has its Spring Design Gala at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Kalleen Malone will be honored at the luncheon event chaired by Melinda Douglas and Dawn Wood. Phil and Nancy Anschutz are the hosts for a patron dinner held on Saturday night; St. John and Tiffany & Co. are the principal sponsors. Proceeds go to the DAM’s Department of Architecture, Design & Graphics. Committee members include Nancy Benson and Ann Benson-Reidy, Marilyn Coors, Diane Gallagher, Arlene
Hirschfeld, Kay Malo, Charlie Price, Dean Prina, Bea Taplin and Kristin Richardson.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
