Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Palermo holds court in new Gallery P downtown

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005 | 8:18 a.m.

The opening of Joe Palermo's spacious Gallery P in the Holsum Lofts at 231 W. Charleston adds further dimension to our city's arts and entertainment district. On Friday, Palermo, past executive director of Las Vegas Art Museum, joined fellow gallery owners, retail shops and eateries at the Holsum Lofts as part of First Friday, a monthly celebration of the arts in downtown Las Vegas.

Featured in exhibit at Gallery P were pieces by Polish-born artist Hannah Iglikowska, who attended the wine-and-cheese party with husband Witold Iglikowski. Seen with the couple were Jerry Polis, Las Vegas Art Museum board member, and wife Lottie.

Taking a serious look at pieces by Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Marc Chagall and the embossed linocuts and towering sculptures by Palermo were Debi Puccinelli (Henry Brent Company/Lady Luck) and Sylke Neal-Finnegan, Michelle Richter and Josephine LoBaido (all of the Golden Nugget), joined by Vicki Alessandrelli, Mark Warren, Thomas Clark and Marie Anderson.

Gathering earlier in anticipation of First Friday fun were those seen at the city's new hot spot, Triple George, part of the Third Street Downtown effort.

Bob O'Neil, with partners Keith Grossman and Andrew Donner (Lady Luck), chose to create a San Francisco-style chop house with a classic menu and white-garbed servers. Glimpsed in the crowd were Andy Katz (Manpower), Stephanie Boixo-Goodman, Tony Capurro Jr., former Assemblyman David Goldwater, Sharen Bennett (vice president, Lady Luck) and managers Yvonne Phleps and Sherrill Lazarus.

Having caught the fancy of the legal community, Triple George owners have cleverly decided upon a "side-bar" expansion for the near future.

Nearby inside Hogs and Heifers, also part of Third Street Downtown, a party was in progress for "Best Friends of First Friday." Owner Michelle Dell hosted the group of longtime supporters of the monthly arts event. Seen across the crowd was Laura Herlovich (PR Plus), Ellen Curtis, Brianna Tiberti and Phil Hagen.

Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod with husband Danny Axelrod were among those who later headed out to see Carrie Jenkins' collection of paintings, "Blondes Just Want to Have Fun," at Dust Gallery, 1221 S. Main St. Lending their support to the Hogs and Heifers party were Wes Isbutt (The Arts Factory) and Cindy Funkhouse (Funk House Antiques).

For information on future First Fridays, go to www.FirstFriday-LasVegas.org.

Cirque run

Looking ahead to the next national holiday? On Sept. 5 (Labor Day) at Paseo Verde Park in Henderson, consider your chance to Run Away With Cirque du Soleil, at its 5th annual 5K run benefiting the Center for Independent Living. The Center is a residential facility for Nevada's at-risk youths, ages 16-20 years, and was created to provide young people with a structured, supervised setting while developing independent living skills.

Entrants for the 5K run as well as the 1-mile fun walk will enjoy entertainment by Cirque du Soleil performers and musicians in addition to T-shirts, massage therapy, face painting for children plus free food and beverages. Prizes will be awarded to winners in each category.

Pre-registration is available online at www.active.com by using search word "Cirque" or on Sept. 4 at Findlay Volkswagen in Henderson. Day-of-event registration starts at 6 a.m.

Kool event

Other helping hands are evident in the planning of Silverton's weekend of music, charity and celebration with Kool & the Gang, Aug. 19-20. Sale of special gold ($100) and silver ($75) packages include concert tickets, hosted parties, hotel rooms and complimentary beverages.

All proceeds from their sale will support the development of the William McCool Science Center at Frank Lamping Elementary School.

Leading the way for this special fundraiser is Silverton President Craig Cavileer, who learned of the school's partnership with the family of the late Willie McCool, a NASA astronaut who was the pilot of space shuttle Columbia.

Reservations are a must, with details by calling 914-8557.