He’s one versatile fellow, that Kevin Fitzgerald. A veterinarian by trade, he also does stand-up comedy, fronts a band called the Well Hungarians and will don green tights and an elf’s cap to tap dance to “Here Comes Santa Claus” if the vibe is right.
Last Wednesday, Fitzgerald, who practices at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital and is a regular on Animal Planet’s “Emergency Vets,” got into the Valentine’s Day spirit by reprising his Love Show – part “Prairie Home Companion,” part “Gong Show” – as a benefit for The Children’s Hospital Heart Institute. The Michael Collins Pipe and Drum Corps opened the show at the Oriental Theater; comedian Matt Vogl; the Pillar of Fire Heavenly Choir; belly dancer Sadie, Jewel of the East; and animal trainer John Vincent with Mudslinger the amazing pot-bellied pig were among those donating their talent for the night.
At a VIP reception held at the neighboring 44 T Artspace/Metro Frameworks, the entertainers mingled with members of the Young Fund, a group of 20- and 30-something professionals supporting The Children’s Hospital.
Guests included Julia and David Murrow, whose daughters Olivia and Natalie each had heart transplants at Children’s, and Ralston Valley High School student Connor Randall, who had a heart transplant when he was 6 months old and another when he was 13. Connor helped emcee the Love Show, and was accompanied by his father, Mark, and sister, Heather.
“There’s a lot of bad stuff going on in the world today, but right here, tonight, it’s all good,” Fitzgerald observed. “Everyone who’s here is here for the right reason.”
Is anyone hungry?
New York, New York is the theme, and food from Strings restaurant and Three Tomatoes, Dougal’s and Michael’s of Denver catering companies will be served tonight as the Shining Stars Foundation has its fifth annual Snowball at the Walnut Foundry. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. To try and score a last-minute ticket, call 970-726-8009. The Shining Stars Foundation provides recreational activities for kids with life-threatening illnesses … Also tonight, Wayne Beson, founder of Truth Wins Out, which works to dispel stereotypes and untruths about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, is the guest of honor at a fundraising dinner at Sketch Food & Wine in Cherry Creek North. Hosts are the Gill Foundation, Jesse Morreale, Jerri Theil, Bradley Joseph and Nancy Levine; tickets range from $20 to $100 … Meanwhile, on Wednesday at the Cable Center, four acclaimed chefs will show how it’s done, and then offer samples, at a fundraiser for the Brian Thompson Scholarship Foundation. Goose Sorensen of Solera and Mike Morehead of Gourmet Fine Catering will join forces with Mark Fiorentino of the Daniel Boulud restaurants in New York and Brad Thompson of The Phoenician in Scottsdale for this $100-a-ticket event presented in cooperation with Whirled Peas Catering. Proceeds will send one aspiring chef per year to a local culinary school. Call 720-335-2718.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com. She also contributes at denverpostbloghouse.com/Davidson.
