The term “grand entrance” is usually reserved for individuals who go out of their way to be sure their arrival catches everyone’s attention.
In the case of the 2018 Beaux Arts Ball, however, the description was more literal: In order to get to the area where the Bollywood-themed gala was taking place, guests had to pass through an entry that was truly grand.
Guided by Clem Connolly, the director of special events for National Jewish Health, and executed by David Squires of Design Works, the path leading to the Hyatt Regency Convention Center’s Centennial Ballroom was transformed into a passageway reminiscent of the Marchi galli, or spice corridor, at Mumbai’s storied Crawford Market.
Baskets filled with fragrant, colorful spices lined one wall, alternating with equally fragrant floral displays. Dancers, moving to the haunting beat of a sitar, also helped extend a welcome to all who passed through.
Later, as the 1,200-plus guests sat down for an Indian-inspired meal and program, Blair Richardson, chairman of the National Jewish Health board of directors, didn’t mind bragging when he pointed out that “Year after year, the Beaux Arts Ball is one of the most popular events in Denver. We throw the best parties, don’t we?”
The fundraiser chaired by Karen and John Ikard, Wendy and James Miller and Suzanne and Lee White raised $2.4 million. A special appeal conducted by auctioneer and former Denver Broncos player Reggie Rivers brought in a record-breaking $750,000. That money is earmarked for care ad research involving children with lung disease.
After hearing Dr. Pamela Zeitlin, chair of the Silverstein Family Department of Pediatrics at NJH, remind everyone that the hospital takes care “of every child, no matter their ability to pay. We always have, and with the help of donors, we always will,” Fred Churbuck kicked off the special appeal by pledging $100,000 from his family’s Salah Foundation.
The Beaux Arts Ball also was the occasion for NJH to pay tribute to the 2018 Grand Marshals, four couples who are valued supporters of the nation’s No. 1 respiratory hospital: Susan Juroe and Michael Schonbrun, Michelle and Mike Fries, Gail and Jack Klapper and Karen and Michael Long.
Juroe, an attorney and co-owner of Balfour Senior Living, served as special assistant to the chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board during the Reagan administration.
Her husband spent 13 years as chief executive officer of National Jewish Hospital before founding Balfour Senior Living in 1997. He also was the first chairman of the Metropolitan Air Quality Council, whose work was pivotal in reducing Denver’s notorious “brown cloud.”
Michelle Fries graduated with honors from the University of Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in global business. She has worked for the world’s largest fashion and apparel trade show company and as manager of strategic development and planning for IMG, a global leader in sports, fashion and entertainment.
Mike Fries is the CEO of Liberty Global, which has cable television operations in 30 countries and revenue of nearly $20 billion. He and his wife are trustees and lead donors to the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver and are deeply involved in such organizations as the Denver Film Society, the Colorado Symphony, Biennial of the Americas, ACE Scholarships and Denver School of Science and Technology.
Gail Klapper is president of the Colorado Forum and managing partner of The Klapper Firm. After receiving her law degree from the University of Colorado, she served as a White House Fellow, returning to her native Colorado to become executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies and the Colorado Department of Personnel.
Her husband graduated from East High School, where he was state tennis champion from 1954 to ’57, and went on to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is director of the Mile High Research Center, where he leads a team that specializes in Alzheimer’s disease pharmaceutical trials.
Karen Long is a member of the Colorado Symphony board and supports numerous education-related causes, including ACE Scholarships, the CU Leeds School of Business mentorship program and AmeriCorps. Her husband is chairman, president and CEO of Arrow Electronics and serves on the boards of the Denver Zoo, the National Western Stock Show and AmerisourceBergen. He’s also active in the Young Presidents Organization and has been honored by several professional groups.
Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and U.S. Reps. Mike Coffman and Ed Perlmutter were among those attending the ball, joining a group that also included Carrie and John Morgridge, whose Morgridge Family Foundation was the presenting sponsor.
National Jewish Hospital’s president and CEO, Dr. Michael Salem, also welcomed such friends as Katherine Gold, the evening’s Visionary Sponsor; Bollywood-level sponsors Walter and Christie Isenberg; Norm and Sunny Brownstein; Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld; Dana Davis; Tom and Margie Gart; David Engleberg; John and Debi Medved; Steve and Robin Chotin; Judy McNeil with her sister-in-law, Linda McNeil; Jay Mills and Kiana Akina; Carol and Dr. Richard Abrams; Brian and Dana Parks; and Steve and Shelley Lucas.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, partiwriter@hotmail.com and @joannedavidson on Twitter
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