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Friday, June 4, 2004
Santa Fe Gives Russian Exhibit Royal Welcome
By Charlotte Balcomb Lane
Of the Journal
All things Russian were in the house— including a sleek Russian borzoi, or wolfhound— on May 28 at the Museum of New Mexico's Imperial Reception Gala for "Nicholas and Alexandra: At Home with the Last Tsar and His Family."
The St. Francis Auditorium in Santa Fe was transformed into a Russian palace for the sold-out event, as designer Mary Buck of Santa Fe created a giant crown that hung over the banquet of Russian delicacies, ostrich eggs decorated Fabergé style and too many kinds of Stolichnaya vodka to count. Some guests, who included some of the state's weathiest arts patrons, wore tiaras and crowns in homage to the royal theme. Among those who attended were Gov. Bill Richardson, Albuquerque art guide publishers Don and Pamela Michaelis and Svetlana Ushakova, wife of the Russian ambassador to the United States.
The evening included a preview of the exhibition next door at the Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibit of treasures from Czar Nicholas II's palace is making its world debut in Santa Fe and will be up through Sept. 5.
AN EVENING OF GOOD WILL: When Goodwill Industries insiders decided to kick off the public phase of their capital campaign to raise $3.2 million, they enlisted the help of a very high profile New Mexican— Sen. Pete Domenici.
Domenici, a longtime Goodwill supporter, then helped recruit an all-star cast of other celebrities to pitch in for the May 26 fund-raising event.
The result?
"Bidding for Futures" at the Albuquerque Country Club drew about 250 people and raised more than $42,000. Proceeds from the party will go toward renovating the 72,000-square-foot main facility on San Mateo, which hasn't had much attention for about 27 years.
"We're going to come out golden," said a happy Maria Arrieta Prindle, Goodwill's marketing director, of the fete.
Among those who donated art for the fantastic live auction were art dealers Robert and Cyndy Gallegos, who also took a moment to pose for pictures with the senior senator. Helping out was Randy Gleason, a fellow who normally raises funds for the University of New Mexico Hospital, who donated his time to cajole bidders to buy art, artifacts and trips.
Other celebs were radio man Jim Villanucci, state Labor Secretary Conroy Chino and Johnese Turri of Albuquerque Title.
HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS, BUCKAROOS, JUNE 18-20: It's almost Buckaroo Ball time again, signaling one of the most fun-filled weekends of the year. This year's Buckaroo Ball is June 18-20, with a full weekend of events, including a Friday cocktail reception and a farewell Sunday brunch.
But the big bash is June 19 at the Bonanza Creek Ranch Movie Town south of Santa Fe.
The "Boot Scootin' Fiesta," outdoors at the ranch, features appetizers from dozens of Santa Fe's best restaurants, a chuck wagon dinner, a live and silent auction of Olympian proportions, and entertainment by the Grammy Award-winning group, The Mavericks.
Since 1994, the annual Buckaroo Ball has raised money almost $5 million, which funds programs for at-risk children in Santa Fe County.
Tickets for the full weekend are $685 per person and sponsorships are also available. For information, call (505) 992-3700.
BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE, JUNE 19: Mark your calendar for this year's Garden Fiesta, the third annual fund-raiser for the New Mexico Ronald McDonald House. The party is 6-10 p.m. June 19 at Garduño's on the Green. It features dinner, wine and the auction of some wonderful items, including 21 hand-painted children's chairs from artists such as Susan Birdsong and Doreman and Sheri Burns.
All proceeds benefit the New Mexico Ronald McDonald House. Call 842-8960.
A PASSION FOR PINOT NOIR, JUNE 23-26: That's the theme for this year's Vintage Albuquerque, a three-day fund-raising extravaganza for the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. The chairman of the event is Mark Gorham.
As the name suggests, this year is an homage to pinot noir, one of the most complex of the red wines.
Festivities begin with an opening night dinner 7 p.m. at Bien Shur featuring the cuisine of the Northwest. Dinner tickets are $150 each.
The dining continues June 24 with a series of wine dinners held in various Albuquerque restaurants. Winemakers will be present at each dinner.
Tickets are $90 each and all the dinners begin at 7 p.m.
There are two events June 25. From 6-8:30 p.m. is a reserve wine tasting at the National Hispanic Cultural Center sponsored by 30 of the participating wineries.
Tickets are $75 each.
Also from 6-8:30 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center is the Grand Food and Wine Tasting, an open-air event with wines from 30 different wineries and food from the Albuquerque Originals, an organization of local restaurants.
Tickets are $50 each.
The big bash is June 26 at 5:30 p.m. under a tent at the Prairie Star restaurant. It features dinner and an auction of fine art and fine wines.
Tickets are $160 each.
For any or all of these events, call 881-9590.
Journal staff writer Tracy Dingmann contributed to this column.