Moonlight and roses were left to another day; for its 10th anniversary Dream Gala, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation successfully pushed the envelope with Urban Elegance, a theme that gave the traditional dinner-dance a fresh, new edge.
The 500 guests arrived at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center to find “urban spinmasters” DJ Vajra and DJ Checkone installed on elevated plexiglass stages by the martini bar, spinning club tunes throughout the cocktail hour.
Inside the ballroom, dancers from Wikked Evolution were busting a few moves on a runway that stretched between two stages where the Up Close & Musical Symphony Orchestra and Big Wheel Band covered songs by 50 Cent and other hip-hop artists. Jennifer Baldridge, who chaired the event with her husband, JDRF trustee Don Baldridge, stayed true to the theme by delivering her thank-yous to a rap beat.
The goal, she said, was to raise $500,000. As of Wednesday, the figure stood at $594,000. DCP Midstream, of which Don Baldridge is managing director, was the gala’s presenting sponsor.
CBS4 sports anchor Vic Lombardi was the emcee, and helped the Baldriges pay tribute to Dr. William Wright. Wright is the executive medical director and president of Colorado Permanente Medical Group, and was given JDRF’s Commitment to the Dream Award.
Guests included auction co-chairs Pam Fast and Diane Jones; Ingher and Jay Leeuwenburg; Tom and Rose Robeson; Frieda and Dr. George Eisenbarth; Stacy and Jeff Robinson; Judi and Joe Wagner; Steve Coffin and Patti Shwayder; Marilyn and Dr. Jack Dahl; Kate Paul; Marilyn and Peter Taylor; Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis and Anthony Davis; Shelly and Craig Saeman; Karen and Tim Bernicke; Faye and Dr. Reginald Washington; Gabriela and Dr. Peter Gottlieb; and Rodney Lontine, who lined up the entertainers.
More good stuff.
Jewish Family Service plans to present the 2009 Max Frankel Volunteer of the Year Award to Mike Chestnut at its annual meeting Monday night. . . . Also on Monday: A wine and food tasting to benefit Third Way Center. It’s hosted by McCormick’s Fish House & Bar and begins at 6 p.m. in the Oxford Hotel ballroom. Visit . . . . Co-chair Kasia Iwaniczko says 400 are expected for the CultureHaus membership party, Summer of Love, taking place Thursday at the Denver Art Museum. Tickets are available through blacktie-denver.com. . . . Juniper Library is having its annual Tops of the Rockies fundraiser June 28 at the Grand Lake Yacht Club. There’ll be tabletop displays and an auction, plus music and refreshments. Call Pat Raney, the event chair, at 970-627-0557.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, . and GetItWrite on Twitter
