SFBayStyle

A Masked Ball for Survivor Corps

 
Cleo Streets, Pamela Joyner, Russell Gatewood (Photo: Drew Altizer) 

In true festive spirit, guests of Pamela Joyner and Fred Giuffrida arrived bedecked and bejeweled for the third annual Masked Ball. Held on October 24 at Ms. Joyner's lovely Presidio Heights home, this popular event is a fundraiser for Survivor Corps.

Over $750,000 was raised to support Survivor Corps, an organization working to help survivors of armed conflict around the world. The gold and white theme sparked imaginative attire of flowing Grecian ball gowns, elegant wraps, and masks accented with jewels and feathers. Three other cities - Santa Monica, New York, and London joined the festivities in a simulcast.

 Rosalina Lydster, Deepa Pakianathan (Photo: Drew Altizer)

 

Union Square Ice Rink Opens Wednesday with Olympic Skaters

Wednesday, the Union Square ice rink opens again to entertain skaters throughout the season. This year is special since it's the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, so the U.S. Figure Skating Association, in conjunction with local skating clubs like the Skating Club of San Francisco, is putting together a series of events to highlight the opening this Wednesday, beginning at 10 a.m.

There will be a show at noon and another exhibition at 5 p.m. Guests can skate at other times of day, and the daytime event has a requested donation of $20.

Then at 6 p.m., there will be a special reception featuring Olympic Gold Medalist (and Dancing with the Stars champion) Kristi Yamaguchi and U.S. national champion Rudy Galindo across the street at the Westin St. Francis Hotel. Tickets for that are $100 and the money goes to the U.S. Olympic skaters.

To RSVP or ask questions, contact Susan Bonn (susanbonn(at)gmail(dot)com) or Stacey Marsh (smarsh(at)usfigureskating(dot)org).

Lily Samii Fashion Show for Arthritis Auxiliary

Next month, the Westin St. Francis will be showered with gorgeous designs by Lily Samii, possibly the most glamorous fashion designer in the Bay Area, in a show benefiting the Northern California Chapter and planned by the Bay Area Auxiliary. On Thursday, October 15, Look models will take the runway for the fashion show luncheon, following a reception and silent auction.

This should be one of the best fashion shows of the year and it will raise money to help fund programs and research supported by the Arthritis Foundation. To purchase tickets, call 415-356-5481.

More Photos from SF Symphony Gala

We're not the only ones showcasing some of the great looking ensembles from events, but that doesn't mean we don't know our readers like to see the photos too. Here are some of our favorites from this year's San Francisco Symphony Gala, to complement our full article. All photos provided by Drew Altizer Photography.

Pamela Joyner pictured left.

SF Symphony Opening Night Gala Sizzled with Style

Wednesday night's San Francisco Symphony Opening Gala introduced the new arts season with thoughtful music, fine delectables, and throngs of fetching gowns. As the sun set on the warm Bay Area, the event kept buzzing. Turning up the heat, the concert featured one of People magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive," Lang Lang, the 27 year-old piano virtuoso and a trio of dizzying waltzes conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas.

The evening began with cocktails and parallel dinner events organized by the San Francisco Symphony League and Symphonix, the young professional league. McCall's catered, and everything looked grand, beginning in the tent pavilion, City Hall, and of course Davies Symphony Hall where patrons flocked for the main event.

Oscar de la Renta Fashion Show At a Glance

We already posted the video and a black-and-white retrospective. Now here are some of the best images of the day at Lake Tahoe benefiting the League to Save Lake Tahoe and featuring Oscar de la Renta. (All photos by Drew Altizer Photography.)

On with the show...

Black & White Photo Retrospective from Oscar de la Renta Show in Tahoe

Included here are some exquisite photographs from last weekend's Oscar de la Renta fashion show in Lake Tahoe.

The credit for this entirely belongs to Drew Altizer who took all of these amazing photos and thought to put them into black and white for posterity.  We just thought it would be nice to do one article with all images in black-and-white. Enjoy!

First image, left, is of Brenda Zarate and Jonathan Lazar.

Video of Oscar de la Renta Fashion Show in Lake Tahoe

Thanks to Drew Altizer Photography & Video, we have been given permission to post this amazing video of the League to Save Lake Tahoe fashion show from this past weekend.  Enjoy!

Saks Fifth Avenue Hosts Oscar de la Renta Runway Show from Drew Altizer Video & SFWIRE on Vimeo.

For photos of the event, see the event page on Drew's site.

Symphonix Gala Preview Event - Educational and Entertaining

It's hard to believe another exciting season of galas and events is just around the corner. The challenge of introducing each new generation to classical music can be daunting, but as one of the premiere arts organizations in the country, the San Francisco Symphony has been working tirelessly to make this happen. Through the symphony's Volunteer Council, they have several Leagues that support the efforts of the symphony organization by helping with concerts, planning events, providing education and raising awareness. Symphonix, the "young professional" (ages 21-45) League plans their own event series leading up to the Opening Night Gala each year. The first of these events happened last week in San Francisco.

Oscar de la Renta Resort Fashion Show in Lake Tahoe This Saturday

Every year, supporters and friends of The League to Save Lake Tahoe flock to a gorgeous estate near the lake to watch one of the finest benefit fashion shows in the country. This year, as in the most recent years,Oscar de la Renta will be the featured designer, showcasing his 2010 Resort collection, with Saks Fifth Avenue producing the show. This will be the 40th anniversary event, which also includes a live auction and raffle of items from the Ritz Carlton, Bulgari, Boucheron, and of course Oscar de la Renta and Saks.

Sophie Azouaou Launches Philanthropic Television Show

Sophie Azouaou, owner of Sophisticate Interiors, is the Host and Co-Producer of the upcoming NBC TV show, Touching Hearts, a multimedia project that includes a primetime television airing. Each show is designed to focus on amazing organizations, the philanthropists, the philanthropic corporations, and the people who are in desperate need of their help.

• Pilot will launch Post NFL Kick-off game Sunday Night Football: September 13, 2009 at 9:00 PM
• Re-airing Monday, September 14, 12:30 PM
• Series: Sunday 9 PM prime time sunday night football 
• Re-runs: Mondays 12:30 PM 

(Interview with Sophie after the jump...)

Composer Philanthropist Gordon Getty Honored by Lavish Gala Performance

"The older I get, the less I know, but I am certain that what we do matters." - from Master Class, music by Jake Heggie, lyrics by Terrence McNally

Gordon Getty is one of those names one automatically associates with San Francisco and the arts, but not everyone knows that he was a student of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Bay Area equivalent to Julliard.  Years later, Getty donated funds to help build the new Recital Hall, named after Getty's principal teacher there, Sol Joseph.  Among his many talents, Getty is also a composer, so it's fitting that for their gala this year, the Conservatory honored Gordon Getty with a performance for him including pieces written by him, to thank him for his passion and generosity over the years.

The Guardsmen Bachelor Auction - June 25, 2009

Free cosmos for the ladies and 25 hot bachelors struttin' their stuff. What's this ... a plot line for Sex and the City? Nope, it's all real and you are invited! The Guardsmen 6th Annual Auction on Thursday, June 25 is your chance to bid on a date with one of San Francisco's most eligible bachelors. (Or if you're a Samantha, go for multiple bidding!)

Since 1947 The Guardsmen has been raising funds to better the lives of inner-city kids. Each year monies raised are used to send youth to camps, outdoor education programs, and scholarships are set up for 200 students to attend private schools. 

The Guardsmen 6th Annual Bachelor Auction, Ruby Skye, 420 Mason St., SF

Thursday, June 25, 2009, Cosmos start pourin' at 7PM, bidding starts at 8:30

For tickets and more information go to http://www.guardsmen.org/

Sponsored in part by TheAList.org

Be there or be sorry!

 

 

   

Portrait of Bay Area Arthritis Foundation Fashion Show Chair, Gail DeMartini (via Vivanista)

On October 15^th the Bay Area Arthritis Foundation will hold its annual fashion show luncheon at the St. Francis Hotel.

The glamorous collection of iconic fashion designer, Lily Samii, will be featured in celebration of her 20^th anniversary in San Francisco.  Fashion Show Co-Chairs are Gail DeMartini and Jane Inch.

Vivanista asks Gail DeMartini, one of the most experienced charitable fashion show chairs in the Bay Area, a few questions about why the Arthritis Foundation Fashion Show was something she was willing to co-chair, what it is about the Arthritis Foundation that gets her excited, and a few fun fashion questions. 

[continue to Vivanista article]

SF Food Bank Benefit Event, Called One Big Table, This Wednesday, June 10th

 

Tickets are still available for San Francisco Food Bank's One Big Table event, this Wednesday, June 10, from 6-9 pm at Hotel Kabuki.  The evening includes dinner and the chance to bid on some fantastic auction items, including dinner for 12, cooked in your home by celebrated Food Network chef, cookbook author and cookware designer Tyler Florence.

Juicy Couture ZooFest for Kids

 

2009 is a big year for the San Francisco Zoo: It's their 80th birthday and the stork has made two deliveries - baby giraffe Niklas and baby gorilla Hasani. To celebrate and to kick-off the upcoming ZooFest for Kids annual fundraiser on June 5th, animal-lovin' fashionistas showed up at Juicy Couture last Tuesday evening in downtown San Francisco.

Discarded to Divine

Sweet P from Project Runway fame and her artist husband Sage Vaughn at Discarded to Divine.

Discarded to Divine is my new favorite fashion event of the year and judging by the turnout last Thursday evening, I am not alone. A total of 900 fashion-conscious people from around the Bay Area showed up at the San Francisco Gift Center Pavilion anxious to see the creations of some our most talented designers.  

Here's the scoop on Discarded to Divine: Clothing donated to St. Vincent De Paul is chosen by freelance designers and fashion students from art schools around the city. Inspired by art work at the de Young Museum, the designers reconstruct the old clothing into new couture pieces. At the annual Discarded to Divine event, these creations are highlighted in a silent auction and a fashion show where attendees bid, raising funds for the poor and homeless of St. Vincent De Paul.

One Home Many Hearts - Raphael House Annual Gala May 14, 2009

The idea of being homeless is frightening, but the fact is these days more and more people in the Bay Area are facing losing their homes, jobs, and all that is necessary to create a secure, comfortable life. This is nothing new for Raphael House - they've been helping at risk families find stable housing and financial independence since 1971, having sheltered 17,000 children and their parents in the last 38 years. Coming up this Thursday, May 14th, 2009 is your chance to commemorate years of service and offer a bit of assistance as well.

Raphael House is holding their annual black tie gala - Mid-Century Modern Glamour -  at the Four Season Hotel in San Francisco, 750 Market St. The theme is 1960s New York. (Think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.) The festivities start at 6PM and include dinner, a silent auction, and an opportunity to swing it out to the tunes of Bill Hopkins Rockin' Orchestra. For you fashionistas this is your time to glam it up and shop your vintage closet, keeping with the evening's 1960s theme.

Great fun for a great cause! For tickets and details call Flavia Henrique, 451-345-7262. For more information about Raphael House go to: http://www.raphaelhouse.org/

Spring into Action - Partners Ending Domestic Abuse 17th Annual Gala

San Francisco Police receive 20-50 domestic abuse calls EVERY DAY

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States

Twenty percent of pregnant women are battered

These are some of the startling facts that 250 attendees learned at the Partners Ending Domestic Abuse Spring into Action Gala held at San Francisco's Four Seasons Hotel on May 1st.

Partners Ending Domestic Abuse

On March 10, 2009 Roselyne Swig, founder of Partners Ending Domestic Abuse, hosted a private party in her home to recognize the foundation's most generous contributors. Among the attendees were Simon and Kimberly Blattner, Julie Harkins of First Republic Bank, filmmaker Tiffany Shlain, and Janet Holmgren, President of Mills College in Oakland. 

Since 1992 Partners Ending Domestic Abuse has collaborated with San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium to raise awareness of domestic abuse by fundraising and public policy advocacy. This event was also the kick off for the upcoming "Spring into Action" the 17th Anniversary Gala set for May 1, 2009 at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco.

http://www.dvcpartners.org/