Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Irish eyes were smiling on lavish reception

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, March 31, 2004 | 8:50 a.m.

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

Fine music, art and Irish spirits proved a perfect match for a reception honoring Sir James Galway and his wife, Lady Jeanne, following their concert at UNLV's Ham Hall Friday.

Sponsored by DeLuca Liquor and Wine (represented by Bob Cranston) and Steve Creger of Jason's Deli, the evening was a gathering of Nevada Public Radio's Classical KCNV music supporters. Held in the Donna Beam Art Gallery, the party offered "Just A Pretty Face," an exhibition of work by painter Carrie Jenkins, who was seen in attendance with Sandy Windom and Sean Sewell, marketing director for UNLV's Performing Arts Center.

Tennis pro Sean Handy assisted in the serving of Irish beers, whiskeys and liqueurs, while Kelly Ware-Barnes and Linda Howe presided at the buffet tables. Richard Soule, UNLV professor of music, was seen discussing the concert with Galway, while Lady Jeanne chatted with real-estate agent Kandra Perriera, Bob and Jory Stewart, Eric and Eileen Horn, Nick and Lala Mastrangelo and Michael Handy with Jennifer Noble, both of the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas.

Enjoying the festive evening were Harold Rostow, Merilyn Grosshans, Amy Hunstaker, Rosemary Shively, Ed Howe, Stan Morris, Joan Fernald, Catherine Cuccaro and Lita Warner, joined by Robert Young, Robin Skone Palmer, Eliot Gorlan, Sharon Lowell, Grace Mitchell and Patrick Cichino.

Jerry Schefcik, director of the Donna Beam Art Gallery, discussed future exhibitions with Paul Hesselink of Nevada School of the Arts and Linda Parker.

Special guest Chris Kurdziel, cousin to Lady Jeanne, attended with husband Doug. Galway, whose album sales have surpassed the 30 million mark with both classical and Irish folk music recordings, was the final artist in the "Season of Colors" series presented by UNLV'S Performing Arts Center.

Champions honored

Attorney Kathleen England was honored March 21 during Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada's "Champions of Choice" luncheon.

England, who devotes her law practice to representation of discrimination victims and those whose lives have been affected by sexual violence, was the first chairwoman of Las Vegas' Ethics Review Board and remains an active community leader for women's causes.

She also serves on Planned Parenthood's Council of Advocates. Recognized with England in joint ceremonies conducted by Gloria Feldt, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, was Michelle Osborne, Champion of Choice (Rising Star).

Also a member of the Council of Advocates, Osborne is a committed volunteer and fund-raiser who recently attended the Gloria Steinem Leadership Institute, a national event sponsored by Choice USA. She is promotions manager for NADN Media, Inc. and director of fund raising for the Modesto Gomez Foundation.

The Sunday luncheon, held in the Valencia room atop the J.W. Marriott Resort, was chaired by Nancy Allf, with committee members Rhonda Cashman Evans, Mary Hausch, Chris Kurdziel, Anne Menzel, Gloria Sturman, Caryn Tyre and Diana Wilson.

An event to fund Planned Parenthood's affordable and confidential health care services as well as advocacy to protect the right of choice, the luncheon was supported by Garth and Karen Winckler, Tory and Susan Gallanter, Mark Brandenburg, Brian Menzel, Barbara Robinson with her husband, Dr. Andres Costas, Lori Lipman-Brown and Dr. Pam Moore with Diana Bonneville.

Seated with friends for the luncheon program by Kurdziel, chair of the Council of Advocates, Vicki Cowart, president and chief executive of Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood, and Gloria Feldt, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, were Rose McKinney James, Judge Nancy Saitta, Deanne Rymariowicz and Audrey Bath, seen with Nevada Supreme Court Justices Miriam Shearing and Deborah Agosti.

Nearby was state Sen. Bob Coffin, England's parents, Kay and Frank England, and Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, as well as Bobbie Gang, Brian and Laura Riffel, Dave Thomas, Marcus Conklin, Laura Cyr and Jeff Valardi.

Musical mayhem

The CCSN Foundation, serving the Community College of Southern Nevada's three campuses, will present a special scholarship performance of Stephen Sondheim's musical "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," on April 16 in the CCSN Horn Theatre on the Cheyenne Campus.

Directed by Phil Shelburne and presented with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and a community all-star cast, the acclaimed production is a first for Southern Nevada.

A rare musical thriller, the production promises a wild ride of chilling, heart-pounding adventure with an abundance of murder and culinary crimes. Costume and set design are by French designer Frederick Peneau, who has created sets and clothing for opera and theatrical events around the globe.

Master chef Gustav Mauler will prepare the delectable refreshments for the gala evening of theater, with further details and tickets by calling 651-7301.