Wednesday, April 25, 2001 | 8:17 a.m.
Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoyt@ prodigy.net.
G.C. "Scott" and Esther Wallace were recent hosts to the fourth and final soiree of the Las Vegas Philharmonic's 2000-01 season. Appearing at the private gathering was Makoto Nakura, who made his American debut as the first marimbist to appear with the Young Concert Artists at the Kennedy Arts Center in Washington, D.C., and later appeared with the New York Chamber Symphony.
The gifted young musician, who chatted easily with attendees prior to and after his most-entertaining program, is a tour veteran who has made appearances in 35 of the 50 states in recent years. Prior to the soiree Nakura conducted a Master Class for aspiring young marimbists at the Las Vegas Academy for Performing Arts.
Costs for his Las Vegas appearances were underwritten by Cartier under the direction of the Las Vegas store manager, Mariam Afshai.
The Wallace home at Tournament Hills in Summerlin is nestled into a crest overlooking a wilderness arroyo, the Tournament Players Club golf course and beyond to the sparkling city below. This mix of lush greenery and native desert vegetation is embraced by the Frank Lloyd Wright-mood of the home's tiered design and panoramic window placement.
Nakura's performance on the marimba, simply perfect for giving free flight to the music to float across the night air, was presented on the lower patio deck. Gilded chairs provided seating for many, among them M.J. and Jack Harvey, Josie Snow, Bill Marion, Thom and Mari Landers and Drs. Richard and Joan McGee. Seeing to the comfort and welcome of attendees were Susan and Andrew Tompkins, founders-directors and all-around angels of the Las Vegas Philharmonic.
Formal remarks by musical director/conductor Harold "Hal" Weller opened the program. Guests supporting the musical gathering included Paul and Sue Lowden, Mike and Nancy Corrigan, Tony and Mary Jane Reed, Dr. Tony and Renee Marlon, Betsy Weller and Lynn and Bill Wiedner. Sharon Bader, an active member of this and other local arts organizations, attended with Asaad M. Farag, vice president and general manager of the Stirling Club. Bader recently accepted the position as special events coordinator for the Stirling Club at Turnberry Place and will begin her new duties on June 4.
Others present for the soiree and catered dinner and dessert reception included Natalie and George Cohan, C.J. and Art Woolston, Dan and Lydia Soriano, Sandy Tueller and the Wallaces' brother-in-law, Dr. Larry Seltzer, as well as Richard and Lynn Kaufman and Marjorie Butler.
Course opening
With an over-the-top response to invitations for the gala opening of Wolfgang Puck's Cili at Bali Hai Golf Course, the single-night event quickly bloomed into three sumptuous, extraordinary evenings.
Bali Hai, which has created a not-quite-of-this-world atmosphere with its setting on the Strip, sits a bit south of Four Seasons and Mandalay Bay. By design and execution, this property has nothing but success ahead as a gathering point for locals and visitors seeking luxurious escape from the mundane. Inspired by the dramatic beauty of the South Pacific, Bali Hai borrows from the best of Bali, Thailand, Tahiti and more, giving splendid use of its 7 acres of water features and using 2,500 mature palms and some 100,000 tropical plants and flowers for splendid results.
Puck's complement to the experience is the spacious, yet remarkably intimate, dining rooms, club bar and adjacent private rooms, which embrace the mood with fine furnishings and artwork and greatly enhance the club. Cili, a Balinese word meaning "prosperity, good health and great fortune," is open to the public, serving meals throughout the day and into the evening. Puck and his quite capable staff, will provide all food-and-beverage services for the generously proportioned property, which includes the quite inviting wrap-around patios and conjures up images of exquisite wedding receptions and tasteful gatherings. The menu features American cuisine and Asian selections and, in keeping with Puck's standards, is served with a generous flair of fine service.
Present for each of the three opening Cili parties were Puck and Tom Kaplan, his manager partner, joined by Billy Walters, golf course owner-developer, and his wife, Susan, each of whom enjoyed the pleasure and compliments expressed by their arriving guests. Among those in the select assemblage were former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones (now with Harrah's), Julie Walther of the Andre Agassi Foundation, John Gray, author of "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus," Jim Synder, Steve Stallworth, Fran Inman, Alan Dunca, Bill MacBeth, Stacey Lied and Sharon Bates.
Many had the most pleasant opportunity to meet Cili Executive Chef Marc Djozlija, who directed the serving teams as they spread across the parties with trays of entree samplings, heavenly pastries and desserts and generous portions of Puck's masterful appetizers. Liquid refreshments include the irresistible Moonsoon (a variation on a mai tai), blue margaritas and most popular martinis. Larry Wright, a former operations executive for Walters Golf who now serves as director of sales and special events, was present to explain the golf amenities and with his staff took many on golf-cart tours over the jewel-like course during the balmy evening.
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