If Lady Luck smiles on Aug. 23, the ninth Celebration of Hope should come up aces. And if she does a happy dance, it could mean that researchers have come a little closer to finding a cure for Huntington’s Disease.
The committee behind Monte Carlo Nights is willing to put its money on either scenario. Plans for the casino-themed benefit held on behalf of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America were unveiled at a cocktail reception chaired by Noel and Tammy Cunningham and held at their Humboldt Street restaurant, Strings.
Chaircouple Gail and George Johnson announced a new location (the Marriott City Center) and that the format had been changed from dinner-awards ceremony-headline entertainment to dinner and an awards presentation followed by dessert and casino games.
Tickets start at $125 and can be purchased by calling Jan Blankennagel, 303-947-5209.
The Johnsons also announced that Distinguished Leadership awards will go to Pat and Irv Brown; Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Paula Newberry Arnold, and Elbra Wedgeworth. The Hope Award will go to dancer-choreographer Cleo Parker Robinson.
Roselyn Saunders is the honorary chairwoman; Mary McNicholas is the auction coordinator; Jake Jabs will be the bidmeister; Scottie Iverson is handling publicity; and CBS 4 weatherman Ed Greene will emcee.
Also of note
Denver’s first Massage for the Cure runs 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday at the 13 metro-area Massage Envy salons. The massages are free, in exchange for a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Schedule an appointment by calling 1-877-330-3689.
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret is the setting June 27 for Dani’s Disco Ball, a cocktail reception and show benefiting Dani’s Foundation and the Children’s Hospital Teen Clinic. Tickets are $50 and $75 and include a disco-attire costume contest and Lannie Garrett’s Platforms and Polyester disco revue. Dani’s Foundation raises money to fight life-threatening diseases in children. It is named for Dani Stell, who was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma when she was 18 and died 16 months later. Call 303-377-6463.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com. She also contributes at
More online: Se additional pictures from the Celebration of Hope kickoff.
denverpost.com/SeenGallery.
