Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Surprise celebration marks Golden birthday

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, June 20, 2001 | 8:25 a.m.

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

One of summer's loveliest private parties celebrated James Golden's birthday. Held at the Spanish Trail home of Kay and Allen Browne, the surprise party began in their lushly landscaped rear yard where guests sipped flutes of champagne, visited with friends and looked across the reflecting pool and spa to the golf-course fairways.

Arriving with the unsuspecting birthday celebrant was his wife, Persia, who had planned the evening in total secrecy. Well-wishers who called out birthday greetings as James Golden arrived included Dr. Monte Greenawalt, Gary and Joan LeMere, opera singer Robert Toto with Joyce LaGrange, Dr. Neil Carmena and Donald and Dorothy Kemp.

Allen Browne showed his expertise at the grill as he prepared a superb entree of fresh salmon in his spacious outdoor kitchen. Guests dined at softly lit tables set upon the lawn, later adjourning inside the Brownes' home for music played by pianist Donald Kemp and songs sung by Toto.

Sulich on the road

Preparing to leave for the slightly cooler temperatures of a South American winter is Vassili Sulich, founder/artistic director emeritus of Nevada Dance Theatre. Sulich has been invited back to Rio de Janeiro to stage his acclaimed ballet "Mantodea," which will be performed as the anniversary concert of Teatro Municpal de Rio de Janeiro in mid-July. Last year his ballets "La Barre" and "In Paradise Garden" were extremely well-received and will be repeated during November and December. A longtime resident and frequent guest director round the world, Sulich says he is very excited about this engagement.

Kids on wheels

Smiles on every face and joy in their hearts, the Variety Club's Tent No. 39 presented bicycles and safety helmets plus goodie bags to 150 children as part of their annual Bikes for Kids program at the Circus Circus Adventuredome.

Working in conjunction with Metro Police, Variety Club also had a number of "angels" who helped with costs, including magician Lance Burton who provided the safety helmets to be used with the bicycles given to the children. Circus Circus, as host for the occasion, also provided the refreshments and all entertainment, while the inmates of the Clark County Detention Center assisted by assembling the bicycles.

Children were identified through the D.A.R.E.(Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. Nevada first lady Dema Guinn was present as was Peter Reveen, Burton's personal manager and vice president of Tent No. 39; Susan K. Sullivan, chief barker of the organization; and Judith Harriman, newly appointed executive director for Variety Club. Others contributing to the success of the annual program include Haycock Petroleum, Kmart on Race Track Road, Las Vegas Valley Water District and the companies Troxel and Schiff. The Variety Club helps children in need. For further information please call 383-8466.

Gallery opening

Gallery P, the newest fine art gallery and studio in Southern Nevada, opened with festivities earlier this month. Gallery P is a partnership between artist Joseph Palermo and entrepreneur Jerry Polis. Hosted by Polis, his wife Lotty and Palermo, the gallery's grand-opening VIP reception, at 982 American Pacific Drive in Henderson, was a huge success.

More than 200 guests enjoyed this first look through the spacious gallery and studio facilities while enjoying the best culinary efforts presented by Rainbow Catering. Among those present were Dr. William and Mary Bannen, Rep. Shelley Berkley, Florence and Mel Shapiro, Nancy and Bob Joslin, Judge Mark Gibbons, Mark and Gloria Fine, Flora and Stuart Mason, Harry and Diane Brandise, Gerry Fischer, Nick and Natalia Naff and retired Judge Gil and Edythe Yarchever.

The gallery's presentation and space are truly world class, giving a city a new dimension in the fine arts. The art, all museum quality, included the works of Palermo, Zinda, Doty and Yokota as well as master works by Miro, Picasso, Dali, Rembrandt, Chagall and Degas to name just a few.

Palermo served as president of the Las Vegas Art Museum and recently as its executive director. He and Polis have created the type of gallery reminiscent of New York's Soho district, that they said they felt would enhance the cultural life of our community.

Ballet reception

Nevada Ballet Theatre graciously acknowledged its major donors, both individuals and companies, who contributed to its most successful season with a donor recognition reception at its Summerlin home, the Donald W. Reynolds Cultural Center.

Arriving guests enjoyed a special showing of paintings by actor and Las Vegas resident Tony Curtis, followed by a performance of the MGM MIRAGE-sponsored Youth Company of Nevada Ballet Theatre. Also appearing were NBT principal dancers Kiera Hansen, Maxim Bondar and Britni Koprivika.

Nancy Houssels, NBT chairwoman of the board, with assistance from co-chairwoman Wendy Plaster, artistic director Bruce Steivel and Harris Ferris, executive director, presented engraved silver-framed awards. Helping as well were NBT personnel Kylie Johnson, development director, and Marc Fineman, marketing director.

Recognized with leadership awards were Cartier and MGM-MIRAGE (corporate); Frank and Victoria Fertitta Foundation (foundation); Donna and Bobby Baldwin and Jim Rogers (individual); Citibank and Howard Hughes Corporation (community); Sharon Bader and Susie Perrine (board involvement); E.O. Wiegand Foundation (new donor); Lamar Advertising and KVVU Channel 5 (media); Karen Ferguson and Kathernie Kioprivica (volunteer); Larry Ruvo of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada and the Las Vegas Review-Journal (in-kind services); and Phyllis McGuire (celebrity). Signature Homes, co-sponsor of NBT's recent "Peter Pan" production, also received a special thanks.

Attendees reflected the diversity of support for NBT and included Richard Plaster, Steve and Patty Chesin, Gary Jacobs, Mari Landers with Abby Geyer, Judy Owen, Lucretia Langham, Sandee Tiberti, Vicky King, Suzanne Channell and Kellie McDowell as well as Vickie Fertitta, Mariam Afsahi and Adam Sommer. Enjoying the evening as well was University Regent Thalia Dondero, Jeanne Hood, Debra Meyers, Margaret Purdue and Dr. Keith Boman. Frank and Lynn Cremen with John Brewer were underwriters for the evening affair.