The Central City Opera Guild has cooked up a new look for the 2006 L’Esprit de Noel home tour. Rather than inviting the public to come take a look at a half-dozen luxurious abodes all decked out for the holidays, this year’s tour will focus on some exquisitely decorated gingerbread houses that will be on display at the Tabor Center food court for three days next month.
Guild president Susan Stiff – who also happens to be the Westin Tabor Center’s public relations chief – says these will be no ordinary gingerbread houses. “They’re going to be works of art, made with excruciating attention to detail. People will really enjoy seeing them,” Stiff says.
The “house tour of a sweeter kind” will be Nov. 16-18 in the food court at The Shops at Tabor Center. A family-oriented, gingerbread house decorating party is scheduled for Nov. 18, and the guild’s traditional Holiday Boutique will be operating all three days. In addition, a Gingerbread Bash Gala, featuring an auction, gourmet dinner and entertainment by Gene Scheer, will be Nov. 17 at the Westin. Additional information at the Central City Opera box office, 303-292-6700.
This and that
Friends of the Carson-Brierly Dance Library honor four Living Legends of Dance in Colorado – Ann Marie Blessin, Martin Fredmann, Marda Kirn and Letitia Williams – at an Oct. 15 reception at the Polo Club North Club House. Blessin has been a leader in the Colorado sacred dance community since the 1970s; Fredmann is an internationally known ballet dancer and teacher who helped bring Colorado Ballet to national prominence. Kirn founded what is now the Colorado Dance Festival, and Williams, who has taught dance for 45 years, is the founder and artistic director of the Harambee Dancers and Drummers. Tickets to the 4 p.m. event are $15 (Friends members) and $20 (guests) and include wine and hors d’oeuvres. Reservations at 303-399-6208.
The Grant-Humphreys Mansion, 770 Pennsylvania St., is the setting Monday for a gala benefiting the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra. Avis Araujo chairs the 6 p.m. event; for tickets, call 720-493-8837.
Planned Parenthood’s national leader, Cecile Richards, was the special guest when the organization’s local chapter celebrated the 90th anniversary of its founding at a party held in the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom. Richards’ presence was especially welcome, given she chose to honor her commitment to appear despite the fact that her mother, former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, had died just days before. Another guest given a warm welcome was Buzz Victor, who was ending his term as chairman of the Rocky Mountain chapter board. To commemorate his service, the chapter established a fund in his name that will match donations to PPRM dollar for dollar. Susie Mostow, Jennifer Evans and Dr. Dean Prina chaired the anniversary celebration.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com. She also has a daily post at denverpostbloghouse.com/davidson.
