Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Riviera set the stage for celebrity-filled concert

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000 | 9:27 a.m.

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoyt@prodigy.net.

Robert Vannucci, president and chief operating officer of the Riviera, provided an evening rich in musical entertainment and dining during the recent Colors of Christmas concert. The festive program, now a popular family event for locals and visitors, featured Roberta Flack, Bill Medley, Peabo Bryson and Marilyn McCoo, backed by a 20-piece orchestra and choral group.

Above the crowd in the Royal Pavilion, skyboxes were prepared for the invited guests, who found a delectable pre-concert dinner awaiting them. Made welcome by Robert and Nancy Vannucci were Mikey and Jim Bilbray, Al Pitcher, John Riordan, Stella Bramlett, Jim Defevre, Dr. Neil Carmena, Ken and Dee Ladd and Glenn Alai. Dining stations, reflecting the Riviera's restaurant selections, were directed by Lloyd Weitzell, vice president of food and beverage and former president of the Food and Beverage Directors' Association of Nevada. Taking part as well was Executive Chef Robert Gartz, who confided his plans are already in motion for the Riviera's Super Bowl Gala, also scheduled for the luxurious Royal Pavilion on Jan. 28.

Guests -- among them Bud Cranor of Gov. Kenny Guinn's staff, Roosevelt and Trudi Toston, David Wright, Mark Swoboda and Dr. Tony and Renee Marlon, Mary Lou Paulson and Brad Milsap -- enjoyed the concert from the comfort of the tiered seating of the skyboxes. Present for the party as well were William Westerman, chief executive officer/chairman of the Riviera, and Robert Nichols, senior vice president of operations for the hotel.

Opera luncheon

Suzanne Vinnik, Charlie Gott, Dr. Morton Hyson and Demetra George were among the featured soloists at the recent Nevada Opera Theatre Guild Holiday Luncheon. An annual affair, the Sunday luncheon began informally with holiday carols sung by the Nevada Opera Theatre Chorus, directed by Catrina Campos. Champagne flowed as guests met and mingled while bidding on holiday wreaths and decorations in an upper ballroom at the MGM Grand's Conference Center.

Table sponsors were generous in their support, with Joseph and Lia Roberts, Sondra Lynch, Nicole Hyson, Denny Weddle, Hans and Arlene Dorweiler, Joan Bean, Dawn and Phil Beuth, Gail Martin, Jerry Coleman and Dr. Charles Vinnik among those who gathered friends and family for the musical offering. Elisa del Prado, chairwoman of the Guild, and Nancy Vinnik, president-elect, served as co-chairwomen for the luncheon and were seen discussing future opera programs with Liz and Sara Suckow, Ruth Buzzard, Margie Conway, Sheila McKay, Zoey Brown, Charlotte Hill with Linda McCoy and Adele and Harold Zorne, as well as M.J. and Jack Harvey, Leezie and Kadell Kremer, Isabel Colon, Andrea Thomas and David Griego, master of ceremonies, attending with his daughter, Alexandria.

Reynolds honored

Nevada Ballet Theatre's ever-elegant Black and White Ball, sponsored by Cartier, will be held Jan. 20 at Caesars Palace. Invitations to the gala have been issued by Las Vegas' own Phyllis McGuire and Tony Curtis, who promise a glittering evening when Debbie Reynolds is honored as NBT's Woman of the Year. Celebrating with Reynolds will be notables including Diahann Carroll, Shirley MacLaine, Nolan Miller, Joan Collins, Carrie Fisher and more. Details and reservations are available by calling NBT at 243-2623.

Historical meal

Nevada Women's History Project's recent luncheon was most appropriately hosted at Anasazi of Santa Fe at the Aladdin's Desert Passage mall. The southwestern cuisine complemented the program by Nevada historian Liz Warren on Native American women past and present. Her speech gave new insight into the role played by women in their respective communities. She concluded by naming Norma Nararijo, of the Clark County School District's Indian Education Center, as an outstanding modern role model.

Listening attentively and later asking questions were Loni Noyes, Mary Lattin, Eva Stowers, Jean Spiller, Mary Gafford, Beverly Carlino-Banta, Frankie Williams, Sandy Dinsmore, Beth Stewart, Rose Irwin and Jane Olive. Announced as the topic for the Jan. 13 meeting is "Where Were You in World War II?" with presenter Irene Scholl Rostine, a resident of Las Vegas since 1942. The nostalgic program encourages personal remembrances from those attending. Please call 735-1675 for details and luncheon reservations.

Scholarship awarded

It was a joyous season indeed for Mary Tang, a recent graduate of Western High School, when she was named this year's recipient of Station Casinos Inc.'s academic scholarship to UNLV. The scholarship, awarded to a student who has a parent employed at one of Station Casinos' Las Vegas properties, provides $2,500 per school year for four years. Tang, a UNLV freshman, is majoring in biochemistry with plans to study medicine and become a pediatrician. She enjoys a lifelong interest in science and volunteers in the pediatric departments at several local hospitals. The second member of her family to receive the scholarship, Tang's 22-year-old sister, Susan, was awarded the scholarship in 1998 and is now a junior at UNLV majoring in international business and finance.

Tea time

Traci and Louie Polish generously lent their beautiful Roma Hills home to the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary to assist with the annual Doll Tea. A much beloved event, this rare afternoon of grace provided members a social breather before they were to tackle the needs of the less fortunate during the holiday season. Through the generosity of members and guests, each of whom brought toys and dolls to the tea, the Polish's home became a vertitable toy store. Tony and Michael Polish, sons of the hosts, assisted by placing the dolls and other toys beneath a soaring Christmas tree.

Making welcome each arrival was Auxiliary President Phyllis Roberts, tea chairwoman Doris Mortimer and co-chairwoman Valorie Hodgson. Joining the receiving line was Lt. Col. Maude Sullivan of the Salvation Army, who was seen with Michelle Bell, Sara Southard, Winnie Desjsrdins, Kaye Brown, Betty O'Brien, Ida Grieco and Jeanne Block. Presiding over the tea table (and all of the sweet treats) were past auxiliary presidents including Alice Pearson, Marilyn Essex, Marion McFadden and Joanne Vaughn. The Doll Tea, an annual event of the Women's Auxiliary since its inception in 1965, is a vital link of the Salvation Army's services to needy children.