Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Houssels honored at Nevada Ballet Theatre gala

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001 | 8:14 a.m.

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

There was a warmth, a sense of intimacy and special rapport among guests who recently attended Nevada Ballet Theatre's 30th anniversary dinner and gala performance.

The event at the Rio was attended by many gaming luminaries and longtime ballet supporters, among them Steve and Elaine Wynn, Phyllis McGuire, Susan and Irwin Molasky, Bill Boyd, Patsy and Sam Lionel, Jackie Gaughan, Thom and Mari Landers, Bob Stupak, Marc and Jane Schorr, Jeanne Hood, Carolyn and Ken Sparks, Saundra Munley, Lynn and Frank Cremen, Becky Boman, and Sid and Colette Saltz.

A delightful dinner program led by Elaine Wynn, mistress of ceremonies, gave a retrospective of NBT's remarkable 30-year span in our community, with many tributes to the efforts of co-founders Vassili Sulich, Nancy Houssels and her husband, the ever-supportive benefactor Kell Houssels. A lighthearted roast of Nancy Houssels amused guests listening to the funny stories told by Bill Martin, Nancy's brother Clark Wallace, former "Folies Bergere" star Colette Saltz and Nancy's college roommate at UCLA, Judy Silverman.

Houssels' son Eric spoke of his family's ethic of dedicating one's self to others, both in business and charities. Classic ballet footage of Nancy's appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and a montage of family photos were shown on a video monitor.

Speeches by Elaine Wynn and McGuire prefaced remarks by Nancy and Kell, with Kell calling Las Vegas "a town imbued with a pioneer spirit and enduring generosity."

Listening closely were supporters, including Susie Perrine, Dr. Brian and Sue Cram, Janie and Jeff Gale, Richard and Wendy Plaster, Margie Purdue, Ted and Maria Quirk, Becky Binion Behnen, theatrical supporter Maynard Sloate and John and Debra Morgan.

Nearby were the Houssels' children, Kelly Claire, Kell Jr. and Eric with wife Sonja, as well as Pamela and Robert Bennett of Beverly Hills, Calif., Hal and Betsy Weller, Lou and Jerry Emmert, Dr. Keith Boman, Rokh and Mariam Afshai and Maureen Kane.

Progressing to the Rio's Samba Theatre, guests enjoyed a program encompassing the entire dance company and the young students of NBT's academy. The program, well-received by all, was a grouping of luminous selections, including "Black Swan Pas de Deux," performed by Claire Geissel and Baris Erhan, and choreographed and staged by Bruce Steivel, NBT's artistic director.

Birthday wishes

Birthdays can be wonderful, as was the case for Papote Varet, who was surprised by his circle of friends last Friday evening. Hosted by his childhood friend, Sandy Peltyn with husband Roger, the party at the newly opened Sabor Cabinero was a purely Puerto Rican-flavored event. Restaurant owner Jimmy Fuenzalida, with able assistance from Chef John Clark of Victor Catering, created a bountiful dinner, tropical drinks and sparkling setting for the evening.

Guests assembled included Hunter Borgen, Jimmy and Sandy Comito with their children, Abraham Braun, Isabel Pfeifer, Jeri Packe and Howard Jochburger with Nancy Archer. Music from entertainer-composer Pierre Jovan had many dancing, among them Carmen Vega, Nancy and Jack Weinstein with daughter Polly, Michael Colby, who appears as Ricky Martin in "American Superstars" at the Stratosphere, Eileen Hayes of Nevada Opera Theatre, Mildred Scheidman and Carlos and Zarina Collado. Papote's sisters, Gladys and Lorde, and his brother, Junior Varet, were also present. Papote, a protege of the late Peter Jackson, is well-known as a choreographer and stage manager in Las Vegas entertainment circles.

Full schedule

The Las Vegas social season is upon us with many worthy events competing for guests and support for their local endeavors.

Nov. 17 is a particularly noteworthy date, as three charities have scheduled dinner events for that evening. The Christmas Box Festival, to support the wide-ranging programs offered by the Sunrise Children's Foundation, will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the MGM Conference Center with both shopping and auction opportunities planned. Tickets for the black-tie gala plus all the details are available by calling Dee Ladd at 369-3635.

Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow, a Nevada organization dedicated to educating the under- and unemployed to help them move to skilled, higher-paying employment, will host its gala dinner-dance at Mandalay Bay, starting with a reception at 6 p.m. The occasion will honor Sen. Harry Reid and wife Landra, and Sen. John Ensign and wife Darlene. Janet Frasier Blumen is chairwoman, with full details available by calling 362-8544.

And last but not least, Opportunity Village, a community-based facility and workshop for the mentally challenged, will host its Camelot at the Magical Forest gala. Guests will gather at 6:30 p.m. for a champagne reception and a first look at the soon-to-open Magical Forest. Linda Smith and her staff, at 259-3741, will accept reservations.