Executive director Ken Toltz has been on the job only since November, and already he has scored an important coup for the National Repertory Orchestra. He talked Jordan Bullock into coordinating the NRO’s annual gala.
Bullock has big shoes to fill. Fundraiser extraordinaire Sharon Magness Blake had brought the gala to new heights during the better part of a decade that she spent as gala chairwoman. But she stepped aside, at least for this year, after agreeing to help raise $2.5 million to commemorate Denver Health’s 150th year.
Bullock is a well-connected young lady, thanks to stints with the Denver Broncos and the Jet Cos. and a term as fundraising vice president for the Junior League of Denver, and is busy assembling a stellar host committee for the June 26 dinner-dance taking place at the Grand Hyatt Denver. “We’ll have some very good things to announce soon,” Toltz promises.
More good stuff.
The Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center’s Young Professionals Network sold out both shows of its Drag Queen Bingo bash held at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret last week. . . . An Ethiopian buffet and traditional coffee ceremony are part of the fun Sunday when friends of Denver Sister Cities International has a fundraising dinner at Africana Cafe, 5091 E. Colfax Ave. Tickets for the 3 p.m. event are $20 and can be charged by calling 303-832-1336. Learn more by visiting . . . . In anticipation of the National Kidney Foundation’s 27th Great Chefs of the West, the foundation’s Young Professionals gather at Jonesy’s EatBar Wednesday night for a bite to eat and some serious networking. Organizer Kasia Iwaniczko says the $20 admission can be applied to tickets purchased for Great Chefs, which takes place Feb. 16 at EXDO Events Center. Call Tracey Nilson, 720-748-9991, ext. 116.
On Thursday, the Central City Opera House Association Guild installs new officers during lunch at the Denver Country Club and Volunteers of America hosts its popular Red Wine and Seafood at the Oxford Hotel. Denise Snyder, Michael Moore, Kathleen Davia and Brad High are chairing the latter, tickets for which are $75 and available at 720-264-3321. . . . New Genesis and its programs for the working homeless will benefit from an open house and sale that runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Little Star Gallery, 200 Violet St. in Golden. . . . The 2 p.m. performance of “Autism Chronicles” on Jan. 31 at the Newman Center on the University of Denver campus is a benefit for the Autism Society of Colorado and Stories on Stage. Tickets, $100, can be purchased by calling 720-214-0794.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
