For the second year in a row, the Colorado Symphony set a new standard for fundraising galas, raising the bar in a city where savvy event planners abound and rarely is there an event that one could call a clunker.
The Colorado Symphony Ball: An Evening with The Temptations could just as easily have been called An Evening Filled with Temptations, thanks to the creative genius of Jason Hurley, the orchestra’s director of special events and partnerships.
He’s not afraid to think big, and the elements on which he insists — deluxe extras for the VIPs, outstanding decor and a dinner menu much like what one would find in a five-star restaurant — make all the difference in the world.
Hurley does all the heavy lifting, then modestly steps back while a host committee receives all the accolades.
Income from the black-tie event held Saturday at the Sheraton Denver Downtown is still being tallied, but attendance was up significantly from last year, and sponsorships were described as “strong.”
As a tribute to the Temptations’ heyday, decor had a 1960s feel. Expanding on suggestions from Hurley, Design Works by Dave and Mike made popular colors of the era — including tangerine and avocado green — new again with star-shaped Mylar balloons, mirrors and draped fabric.
Key Bank was the lead sponsor for the VIP lounge, where folks like Walt Imhoff and Magrit Brinker, John and Carolee Hayes and Michael and Kathy Burg enjoyed made-to-order sushi and Veuve Clicquot champagne before sitting down to a dinner of mushroom soup with brie en croute; a hibiscus champagne intermezzo; coriander-roasted tenderloin served with a seared diver scallop and jumbo prawn; and a vanilla-bean mascarpone flan topped with roasted oranges and strawberry caramel sauce.
There’s so much more to tell about this fabulous evening, and I’ve got all the details in my Seen First blog:
Coming right up.
Fine wines and food from Table 6 will be served when Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has a tasting party Thursday at the Grant- Humphreys Mansion. Award-winning journalist T.R. Reid is chairing the $65-a-ticket event that begins at 6 p.m. Register at . . . . Car dealer Doug Moreland and his family are to receive the Champions of Hope Award when Cancer League of Colorado has its annual gala Saturday night at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center. The leadership committee includes Marsha Lunnon, Linda Goto, Arlene Mohler Johnson and Lisa Williams; buy tickets at . . . . Same night: The Denver Active 2 0/30 Foundation’s barn party that sets the stage for the upcoming Schomp BMW Denver Polo Classic; a dinner honoring silent- film preservationist David Shepard, who will be part of the inaugural Denver Silent Film Festival put on by the University of Colorado Denver College of Arts & Media; and a dance program where Ballet Nouveau Colorado, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Colorado Ballet and others perform at Newman Center for the benefit of the American Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. The latter is hosted by Denver Academy of Ballet with Aimee Caplis as mistress of ceremonies. Tickets are $25; call 303-723-4203.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
