Photo: Drew Altizer

Bouquets to Art co-chair Catherine Goodman with director of Fine Arts Museums John Buchanan and co-chair Martha Woollomes

Attitude And A Naughty Dress

Has anybody noticed the elephant in the room? That looming, unspoken pachyderm of a problem? We’ve seen it, too. We know you are wondering why we are focusing on the swell when things are going to hell. What are we doing publishing parties when the Dow’s a downer and the G-D-P is a G-D-Pain?

Well, you can read about the doom and gloom in lots of other publications (if they still exist). We’re different. We’re upbeat. We bring you pics of parties with a purpose, the benefits with benevolence. We’re the good-news bear-ers. Because there are many good people doing many good deeds all around us. And the dough for those deeds is delivered by donors, who see those pink elephants at the parties on our pages.

Lest you think this is profligate, promise to put your petulance aside as we propose: what would happen to our proud nonprofits without these pennies from heaven-ly pockets? Paucity and parsimony go hand in hand…and many in our fair city and its environs are all the more eager for the help these nonprofits so ably provide. These events raise funds, awareness, friends, and, we happily hope, fun. And with headlines the way they are, who doesn’t need a little Fred and Ginger to spice up their soup line? So let’s get down to the dos that delight the good deed doers! We’re digging the shindigs!

Yes We Have No Bananas

But we have Elvis, Liza, Dolly, Nico, Mick…and lots of other BPs (that’s Beautiful People) who converged on the de Young for the Mid-Winter Gala in honor of the Warhol Live exhibit. Blueprint décor took inspiration from Warhol’s nightclub haunts, matching tall white loveseats, zebra pillows, Starck Lucite chairs, and Brillo boxes, with table arrangements that must have cornered the super-market of Chiquitas, an homage to Warhol’s famous Velvet Underground album cover. Metallica’s Lars Ulrich (accompanied by his Edie Sedgwick–alike muse Connie Neilsen) represented the rockers amidst the handsome and hunky walkers. Men were neatly natty in black tie (with the newer four-in-hand or the absent air tie as opposed to the bow), while women wore colorful columns that accentuated their gym-dandy gams. A few psychedelic Puccis had their fifteen minutes, too, but big gowns were drowned by the sea of body-hugging slink dancing under the disco ball. As giant silkscreens of famous faces floated above the dance floor, ’Frisco familiars frolicked, ready for their Interview moment. Among them: Alexis & Trevor Traina, Kate & David Chung, Victoria Raiser, Alex Chases, Mia Manetti Farrow, Daniel Diaz, Allison Speer and her fiancé, Dr. Fred Moll, Thomas Keller and his fiancé, Laura Cunningham, Don Johnson & wife Kelly Phleger, Katie Schwab, George & Lindsay Bolton, Andrea Schnitzer, Billy & Vanessa Getty, and many multitudes of merrymakers.

Toss the Bouquet

The 25^th Annual Bouquets to Art Show was inaugurated with a verdant, vibrant crowd of fourteen-hundred friends of the Fine Arts Museums. The floral tributes to specific pieces of art presents a contrast of the intrinsic with the artistic, and challenges the viewer to see the arrangement and the art in juxtaposition. This year’s floral flight of fancy included an extra special element: City College students devised gorgeous gowns of flower and plant material, inspired by the concurrent YSL show (which you should not miss before it leaves April 5). The result, a sort of Rose Parade of People, was nothing short of breathtaking. As the designers and models mingled with their fragrant frocks, onlookers gasped at their artistry and ability. A train of gardenias imitated the finest feathers, a corset of woven ti leaves turned into luscious lingerie, a black-galax leaf skirt suggested the sheen and suppleness of leather. Student-designers were on hand to explain their processes, painstakingly assembling their ephemeral extravaganzas to be worn and watched for just one night. After the arrangements were admired, revelers repaired to the tented atrium to feast their chops on Dan McCall’s lamb and other delish dishes, and then shimmy back to svelte with Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers. Amongst the appreciative: Malin Giddings, Chuck & Donna Huggins, Lisa & Doug Goldman, FAMSF Board Chair Dede Wilsey, Dee Schwabacher, Carole Benz, and Carol Doll, to touch on but a few.

Red Letter Day

A brilliant display of rescue red dominated the fun and lively 2009 Annual Paint the Town Red Gala—co-chaired by the dazzling and delightful Kelly Bryson Murphy and Roberta Economidis—the signature fundraising event to benefit the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter. A sold-out crowd showed its support by donating via silent and live auctions, which included such alluring lots as a dance lesson with MC Hammer, a six-course dinner for eight prepared by contestants from Top Chef, or a five-day Kenyan Safari.

Red Cross ball co-chairs Kelly Bryson Murphy and Roberta Economidis

Bringing a reality to the true purpose of the evening, a few poignant moments were held out to focus on the help the Red Cross provides. Consul General for Australia David Lawson spoke about the efforts being made at that very moment on behalf of the bushfire victims in his home country. Gala attendee Irene McGee recounted the help she received from Red Cross when her lower Pac Heights apartment burned in an electrical fire.

The evening wrapped up with gala-goers kicking up heels to the sounds of Big City Review in between trips to the chocolate martini bar and delicious dessert buffet (oh, the red velvet mini-cupcakes!). By evening’s end, over $300,000 had been raised.

Fashion For A Passion

For the 83^rd year running, the Junior League of San Francisco presented its much anticipated fashion show—chaired by the stunning Victoria Yeager Sawyer—this year titled “The Art of Fashion.” A packed house meeted and greeted at the lavish luncheon which, like the evening event, took place at the Fairmont and featured both a silent and live auction. Mothers and daughters, past event chairs, newcomers, year’s long supporter, and even a few men(!) enjoyed a delightful, high-energy afternoon. The predictable highlight was the coming alive of the catwalk with spring fashions from Macy’s worn by, as is tradition, Junior League members, their children, and significant others. The event, in addition to this year, being “green,” is the League’s primary fundraiser, supporting the wonderful community-building and outreach the organization promotes. Promoting volunteerism as well as financial giving, in addition to raising $22 million, league members have provided six million volunteer hours over the last ninety-eight years.

Medallion Society Luncheon

The San Francisco Opera held its 2009 Annual Medallion Society Luncheon to honor and thank its most generous supporters. George Hume, president of the SF Opera Association, notes the record turnout this year with 660 attendees. “In these times it’s tempting to cancel events like this,” states George, “but we realized that now more than ever, these sorts of events are critical. It’s our way to say thank you to our most passionate supporters.” And passionate they are; it was reported that giving by Medallion members for 2009 is above 2008 levels (albeit other giving for the Opera has, to date, been “soft”).

Highlights of the event included the welcoming of new Medallion Society President Cathy MacNaughton; honoring Barbara K. Jackson with the Spirit of the Opera Award for her outstanding years-long support; and performances by the 2009 Adler Fellows. As a salute, Barbara was serenaded at her table by Fellows Leah Crocetto (soprano) and David Lomelì (tenor). Bravo, bravissimo!

So before you turn up your pince-nez at our parties, sneek a peek at our gals and their pals, our swains and their dames, our hipstas with their mistas. (Work with us, people!) And join us in celebrating the do-ers, the renewers and we, the reviewers, as we strive to spread the good news and chase the Bay blues. Party on, Wayne! Party on, Garth!

Chérie Turner and Jennifer Raiser aspire to be babes.