Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002 | 8:28 a.m.
While our city is well recognized for the flawless execution of galas, parties and sparkling dinners, few attending the exclusive Faberge dinner last week at Bellagio were prepared for the magnificence, the sheer perfection of this perfect jewel of an evening.
From the first glimpse of the exquisite exhibition of Faberge creations in the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, the spell of enchantment was felt by all. Reflecting the vastness of his talents, Faberge's fabled Imperial Easter Eggs, along with jewelry, liturgical pieces, gem-encrusted clocks and other priceless treasures are on display. Portraits and family keepsakes of the doomed Czar Nicholas II with Empress Alexandra and their children are also exhibited.
Marveling at the beauty of the displayed objects were Steven and Chantal Cloobeck, Cari Marshall with Tony Goldstein as well as her parents Jayne and Arthur Marshall, Roger Thomas with fellow Le Reve designer Cherie Flannigan, and Barbara Molasky, Terri Monsour and Libby Lumpkin.
Gracing the select gathering was Archduke Geza von Hapsburg, the world-famous Faberge expert whose eloquent narration is heard on the audio guide given to each guest visiting the exhibit, "Faberge: Treasures From the Kremlin," on display through Jan. 26.
Invited guests included Josh and Meital Grantz, Pat Caddick, Alan Feldman, Lamar and Patricia Marchese, Kim Capozzo with Dana Wagner, Carlotte and Andre Carrier and Claudine Williams with Kitty Rodman.
Doug Beckley, chairman of the Nevada Community Foundation, the charitable agency that assisted in bringing this treasured collection to our city, attended, as did Lou Gammage, executive director of the foundation, and her husband Fred Schwager.
Guests departing the gallery were escorted to the Grand Patio, the spacious veranda perched above the lush gardens and pool at Bellagio. Ice serving bars offered the finest caviars and salmon, dishing up the delicacies with blinis, toast points and potato pancakes in the best Russian style, while other sculpted ice bars dispensed premier vodka from frosty flutes.
Enjoying the bounty while sipping fine champagne were Terrence Lanni, Dolores Owens, Gerald Peters, Mike Sloan, Mario Maccioni and Richard and Jen Worthington.
Sprinkled through the crowd were celebrities Rita Rudner, David Copperfield, Robin Leach, Clint Holmes and Tony Curtis, who gave fellow guests a delightful surprise when he pulled from his pocket his very own Faberge case, a treasure purchased many years ago in London.
Dinner in the ballroom was delivered by a well-trained army of gloved servers, each giving every attention to guests seated at tables adorned with delicately arranged white-on-white bouquets of sweetheart roses, lillies of the valley, stock and bride-like flowers, set among soft glowing candles and shining silver serving pieces.
Welcoming remarks by Marc Glimcher, chairman of the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, prefaced the superb meal and fine wines.
Praised for their efforts in bringing this exhibition to Las Vegas were Andrea Bundonis, president of the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, and the many dedicated collectors who lent pieces for display, among them Trevor Traina and his father John Traina, owners of the extraordinary grouping of cigarette cases and tiny boxes on view.
Hand delivery
Making a difference by contributing to the betterment of our community's children, the Las Vegas Founders are among our city's most generous organizations.
Recently gathered for a private party at the Hard Rock Hotel's pool enclosure, they mixed a bit of business with check presentations.
Tim Cashman, chairman of the Las Vegas Founders' Foundation, assisted by Bob McCart, tournament chairman of the Invensys Classic at Las Vegas, and Michael Hughesdon from Invensys, awarded checks in the amount of $350,000 to charities including Sunrise Children's Hospital ($7,000); The CASA Foundation ($15,000); Miracle Flights for Kids ($20,000); Boulder Dam Area Boy Scouts of America ($24,984); D.A.R.E. Inc. of Nevada ($26,000); The Salvation Army of Henderson ($30,308); St. Therese Center ($35,217); Rebel Golf Foundation ($60,000); Make-A-Wish Foundation ($50,000); and Project Sunshine of Southern Nevada ($100,000).
The distributed funds were raised by the Las Vegas Founders during the 2001 Invensys Classic at Las Vegas, a hugely successful tournament.
The evening affair at the Hard Rock Hotel was also the official "Draw Party" for the Las Vegas Founders Shoot-Out. Working from a stage set upon the sandy beach of the pool area, club officers paired each registered foursome with a professional player for the following Monday's golf event at TPC Summerlin.
Seen in attendance were Hilary Green, Kenny Sullivan, Mark Fine, Ben Jones, Mimi Ritenour, Bill Sampson, Dee Ladd, Jim Stuart, Teri Halliday, Jennifer Tuttle, Gary Frey, Jeff Ortwein, Jack Sheehan, Laura Hoenemeyer and Tom Carroll.
Proceeds from the Shoot-Out party benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada.
Black & White
Fast approaching is the Generic Black & White Party XVI, a fund-raiser benefiting Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN), assisting individuals and families living with HIV and AIDS.
The fun-filled evening, hosted by the Palms on Sept. 21, will include an early cocktail party in ghostbar beginning at 5 p.m., progressing on to Skin, the outdoor nightclub, at 8 p.m. and finally the after-party titled "The Lucille Ball," starting at 10 p.m.
This year's inventive theme is black-and-white television programs, using as concepts such favorites as "I Love Lucy," "American Bandstand" and "Queen for a Day." Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite character from this fun TV era.
Live entertainment, dining stations from the city's best restaurants and dancing are included in the ticket price of $50, with advance tickets sold online at insideafan.org., in person at Stuff inside the Palms, or at the door that evening.
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