It takes a real pro to launch a new fundraiser in Denver, and two who know how to do it right were tapped to organize the first Eye Ball Masquerade.
Sharon Kamen and Suzy Love applied skills honed with several nonprofits, most notably The Guild of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, and made this benefit for the Lions Club of Denver and the American Council of the Blind of Colorado a huge success.
Because the food and entertainment spectacular would include sighted and nonsighted guests, they put a Braille insert in each invitation. They also made sure the entertainment wasn’t something that only the sighted could enjoy. It was music, lots of music, in fact: cellist Katharine Knight played in the check-in area; the Gypsy Swing Revue did its thing during cocktail hour; and the Polite Jazz Quartet was on stage during dinner. Guests also were entertained by the Sirens and danced to the Motown tunes of One on One, backed by the MilesApart Band.
The best part, though, was a salute to dancer Marceline Freeman, a 35-year veteran of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, who lost her sight in 2005. Guided by Robinson’s sister, Leslie Sue Parker Wallace, Freeman danced to “What More Can I Say,” from “Nine Ninas.”
Among the guests: Warren and Helen Hanks; Adrienne and Jack Fitzgibbons; John Fielder; Bryant Moore; Paul Docktor; Lyn Schaffer; Nancy Chase; Anita and Dr. Joe Becky; Joe Sims; Bunkie and Dr. Bill Inkret; Margy and John Epke; and 7News anchor Mitch Jelniker, who emceed.
We’ve been told.
That the Neighborhood Flix Cinema and Cafe, 2510 E. Colfax Ave., is having an Academy Awards party, Hollywood on the Fax, starting at 5 p.m. Feb. 24. Tickets are $25 (call 303-377-3887) and include food and a big-screen viewing of the Academy Awards. Proceeds go to middle-school art programs in the Denver Public Schools . . . That the second in a series of PlayDates, benefiting the Children’s Museum of Denver, is a Feb. 28 girls night out hosted by Vanessa Barcus, Melissa Gelfand and the Rita B Salon. Tickets are $30 and $60, and include refreshments and a chance to buy the latest “it” styles from clothing and accessories retailer Goldyn; jewelry from The Woods; and makeup from Beauty Box Minerals. Call Nell Roberts, 303-561-0110 . . . That 1,000 guests are expected for the March 5 Denver Public Schools Foundation Gala. It’s at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center; Cole Finegan, managing partner at Hogan and Hartson, and Donna Lynne, president of Kaiser Permanente Colorado, are the co-chairs; and Gov. Bill Ritter and Mayor John Hickenlooper are the honorary chairmen. Call Mary Spillane, 720-423-3897 . . . That Phyllis Graham-Dickerson has accepted a second term as president of Friends of Nursing and will be installed at the group’s annual meeting on March 5 . . . That Marilyn Hansen will talk about Women’s History Month when the Littleton-Englewood branch of the American Association of University Women meets at 6:45 p.m. March 10 at the Englewood Public Library. Prospective members are encouraged to attend.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also,
