Beaux Arts Ball Celebrates 20 Years With Revolutionary Flair

Posted: Lisa Perry

When you’re one of the most prolific fundraising events in town—one that typically raises $2 million—how do you celebrate your own 20th anniversary? This year’s Beaux Arts Freedom Ball rose to the occasion, infusing its annual big, bold bash with American Revolution spirit, to the delight of 1,200 guests—all supporters of the programs and services of beneficiary National Jewish Health. The evening included Broadway-worthy performances drawn from “Hamilton,” including costumed dancers, singers, rappers and flag-wavers, along with a dance-inducing live band. And that was just the call to dinner.

Spirit of ’76

On Saturday, Feb. 25, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum was transformed into a Colonial village for a cocktail reception full of period décor, live characters from “Hamilton,” servers in Paul Revere hats … all with red, white and blue touches, of course. One side of the room was bordered by a floor-to-ceiling tarp, hiding the dining area. Just after 7 p.m., it was dramatically lowered after a song-and-dance presentation, and guests followed performers to their seats. Several partygoers hit the dance floor with the Bobby Attiko Band blaring out a musical invitation, even as dinner service was beginning.

John and Carrie Morgridge, recipients of this year’s Arthur B. Lorber Award for Distinguished Service

Board chair Blair Richardson began the program singling out well-known people in the audience, including Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Rep. Ed Perlmutter and Ken Salazar. Honorary chair Barry Hirschfeld was recognized onstage, and Michael Salem, M.D., president and CEO, talked about National Jewish Health’s singular programs and services. Carrie and John Morgridge were recognized as recipients of the 2017 Arthur B. Lorber Award for Distinguished Service. The couple are vice president and president, respectively, of the Morgridge Family Foundation, which has supported major projects at NJH, as well as other noted Denver institutions. The award is the highest honor bestowed by National Jewish Health, and recognizes individuals who show leadership that has impacted the reputation, service science or mission of the institution. This year’s grand marshals were recognized from the stage: Debbie and Michael Feiner, Cathey and Richard Finlon, Mary Lou Blackledge Kortz and Donald Kortz, and Julie and Brent Morse.

The Bobby Attiko Band kept everyone dancing before and after the dinner program.

A live auction segment with auctioneer Christian Kolberg included a trio of package experiences: Bon Jovi and Faith Hill/Tim McGraw concerts, a trip to the CMA Awards in Nashville and an ultra-luxe excursion to Napa Valley. At the program’s conclusion, guests had the opportunity to once again take over the dance floor to kick up their heels, urged on by the Bobby Attiko until the building had to lock its doors.

National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, NJH today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and a treatment of patients with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Patients and their families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge comprehensive, coordinated care.

Salem writes: “Through your participation in this event, you share in (NJH) success, ensuring that important programs continue to transform lives, our scientists make groundbreaking discoveries to cure diseases and our physicians can care for all patients regardless of ability to pay. At National Jewish Health, we are focused on innovation and the future. The work we do today will shape health care tomorrow. And the future of patient care lies with the kinds of teamwork for which we are known. Pulmonologists consult with rheumatologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists and allergists to make the right diagnoses and to develop a complete picture and plan for their patients. As a result, we diagnose diseases earlier and we also focus on prevention and precision medicine.

“We would appreciate the opportunity to show you in person what makes National Jewish Health the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Please let us know if you are interested in a Behind the Scenes visit.” For more information, please visit NationalJewish.org.

: Grand marshals Cathey and Richard Finlon

: Mary Lou Blackledge Kortz and Donald Kortz, grand marshals

: Grand marshals Debbie and Michael Feiner

: Brent and Julie Morse, grand marshals

: John and Carrie Morgridge, recipients of this year’s Arthur B. Lorber Award for Distinguished Service

: Honorary chair Barry Hirschfeld (right), with wife Arlene and President and CEO Michael Salem, MD

: Dignitaries of this year’s Beaux Arts Freedom Ball

: John and Carrie Morgridge (left) join the group of event honorees.

: Costumed characters at the reception

: (l to r): Brandy Dicks, Jessica Lacombe, and Abi and Erik Larson

: Karen McCabe (left), Phil Fitzjarrell and Barbie Moore

: Sampling hors d’oeuvres at the reception

: (l to r): Michael and Maureen Taylor, Donna Bowers, and Jameson and Annie Smith

: Tables are set for 1,200

: The bar area stayed busy during the reception.

: Greiner Electric at the reception

: (l to r): Debra and Wayne Berger, and Trish and Scott MacDonald

: Sampling seafood at the reception

: Brian Boyd (left) and William Hewitt

: (l to r): Kimbra Jerman, Blaine Horner, and Shannon and Eric Hackett

: Gary Snyder and Sara Almerri

: Feiner family members pose in front of the Feiner Family Foundation banner.

: Jennifer and Mike Tolleson

: Friends of Shea Properties

: (l to r): Danielle Amaro, Kyle Carrington and Angel Meza

: Ellie and Beau Jenkins

: Shannon Mitchell and Anthony Brownlee

: Julie and Mike Bearup

: Marc and Laura Paolicelli, and Staci and Aaron Wiebelhaus

: Nordstrom reps at the reception

: Darek and Serena Bruzgo, board member Jandel Allen-Davies and Anthony Davies, and Megan Fisher

: Nicole Isenberg and Trey Torres

: (l to r): Susan Montague, Gordon Smith, Ellen Stewart and Don Vancil

: Steve Coffin and Patti Schwayder

: (l to r): Chuck Hawes, Sue Bowlman and Adam Sheridan

: (l to r): James Reynolds, Leslie Whitehouse, Jill Reynolds, Andy King, and Avery and Lance Soderberg

: (l to r): Bonnie Mandrich, honoree Carrie Morgridge, Kristin Richardson and Steve Rosedale

: “Eliza Hamilton” in character

: Jill Reynolds and Leslie Whitehouse

: (l to r): Abby Goldsmith, Walter Isenberg, Christie Isenberg, honorary chair Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld

: Roy and Sandra Mecilli

: (l to r): Dan Love, Steven Kick and Steve Turner

: Kyle and Olivia Young

: (l to r): Ann King White, Roger White, and Jo and Martin Semple

: Lisa Pauly and David Taylor

: Costumed dancers begin their energetic performance.

: Just a portion of the pre-dinner performance

: The curtain falls and the dining area is opened to guests.

: Spirit of ’76

: The Bobby Attiko Band kept everyone dancing before and after the dinner program.

: Pre-dinner dancing

: Daniel and Angela Feiner

: Dinner is served.

: It was all eyes on stage as the dinner service began.

: Dancers deliver a spirited performance.

: The cast performs “My Shot” from “Hamilton.”

: Board president Blair Richardson

: Guests react to a speaker.

: Honorary chairman Barry Hirschfeld (right) is honored on stage.

: Wings Over the Rockies a la Beaux Arts Freedom Ball

05 Apr

Hoops & Hoopla Scores for National Jewish Health

Posted: Lisa Perry

Ah, springtime in the Rockies! Sun, flowers blooming, some snowflakes—and for sports fans, watching the NCAA basketball semifinals at National Jewish Health’s Hoops & Hoopla. For the past 11 years, the annual fundraiser has become a rite of spring in Denver for both b-ball fans and NJH supporters. It’s always a slam dunk to host a party surrounding the last four men’s college basketball teams as they battle it out for a spot in the national championship game. But NJH planners take it above and beyond with accompanying party details that are sumptuous and guest-friendly. Ultimately the true winners are always the event’s beneficiaries: students at the Morgridge Academy on the NJH campus.

On Saturday, April 5, almost 400 settled in at Sports Authority Field’s East Club Level to catch the hoops action on tons of TVs. The event began with a pre-game open bar and snacks, along with a busy silent auction. Guests also had the opportunity to test their athletic skills with a spectrum of sports games plus some just-for-fun gaming tables including poker and roulette. Epicurean Catering provided a hearty gourmet buffet as event-goers sat down to watch the end of the UConn-Florida game while indulging in tasty chow.

Honorees: Heart of a Champion award, Bill Gregor (left); and Rookie of the Year, Ryan Wilson

Between games, a short program included remarks by board chair Rich Schierburg, who talked about the mission to house, feed, educate and treat students with chronic illnesses at Morgridge Academy, and the goal to get them back to public schools—all provided at no cost. Three awards were presented to deserving honorees: Greiner Electric, whose employees raised $40,000 for the cause, accepted the MVP trophy; Bill Gregor was honored with the Heart of a Champion award; and Ryan Wilson was named Rookie of the Year. As the second game began, guests finalized auction bids and settled in for a nail-biter between Kentucky and Wisconsin. The last two teams standing at night’s end: 7 and 8 seeds, UConn and Kentucky.

The Morgridge Academy is a unique, day school program for approximately 90 students in grades K-8 who require medical assistance during the normal school day. The school, approved by the Colorado Department of Education, is dedicated to help children who have medical problems that have caused frequent absences from mainstream schools.

National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Founded 115 years ago as a nonprofit hospital, NJH today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of patients with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Patients and families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge, comprehensive, coordinated care. For a resource to stay informed about what is happening at the institution and to learn more about the conditions treated, please visit: NJHealth.org.