Pommes frites? Check.
Saumon avec beurre blanc? Ah, mais oui.
Crepes au citron? Bien sur.
From the crusty baguettes wrapped in white paper that were handed out by strolling waiters wearing berets and striped shirts to the miniature Eiffel Towers that decorated the dinner tables, the Children’s Museum of Denver created a true Paris on the Platte for its annual Birthday Bash.
The event chaired by Dory Pratt and Brooke Simpson had 600 guests and raised $250,000.
Festivities took place outdoors, on the grounds surrounding the museum that has delighted kids of all ages for the past 36 years. Syd Sexton and Darby Donohue’s Gourmet Fine Catering did the food, with stations set up on a path parallel to the silent auction tables bearing items that ranged from designer shoes to computer equipment.
The Hazel Miller Band played for dancing, and museum president Tom Downey seemed to be in constant motion, welcoming such VIPs as Mayor John Hickenlooper and House Speaker Terrance Carroll and seeing to it that new supporters felt as welcome as those who’ve been a part of the museum “family” for years.
The mayor and his wife, Helen Thorpe, were the honorary chairmen, and a dinner with them at Z Cuisine was one of the most popular items in the live auction.
Familiar faces in the crowd included the chair of the museum board, Deborah Wapensky Nugent; former director Alby Segall; Nikki and Steve Lockton, who had opened their home for the party thanking patron-level guests; longtime supporter Anna Jo Haynes; Sarah and Dr. Todd Alijani; Pat Livingston; Chris Frampton and Yvette Pita Frampton; 9News reporter Chris Vanderveen; Mandi and Brian Hoffman; Jorge Gonzalez and Baltazar Solano Piñeda from the Mexican Consulate; such committee members as Wylly Staab, Nicole Furman, Melissa Hatzidakis and Keesha Pfeiffer; Chris Amon and Allison Recker; Armen and Jameela Khadiwala; Marty and Mary Knape; Kate and Jason Fritz; and Leo Chavez of Ethan Allen, the furniture company that donates to the Birthday Bash’s annual Chairs That Care fundraising effort.
Coming right up.
CBS4’s Karlyn Tilley and Saks Fifth Avenue fashion director Cynthia Petrus will pick the two best dressed at the 20th anniversary Do at the Zoo on Thursday night; the winners receive a $500 shopping spree at Saks and a feature in the August issue of Denver magazine. . . . Judge Kerry Hada has been named honorary chairman of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival and will be recognized at both the July 24 VIP preview and the July 25 opening ceremony, both at Sloan’s Lake park. In addition, MillerCoors is the first corporate recipient of the festival’s honorary patron designation.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@ ; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
