Thursday, January 27, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

ON THE SCENE: Ann-Margret honored by Nevada Ballet Theatre

Mark Juliano, president of Caesars Palace, from left, Jacqueline Juliano, Nancy Houssels, Mariam Afshai and Howard Warnock greet the arriving guests to the Blasck and White Ball Saturday at Caesars. Among the guests attending the annual Nevada Ballet Theatre Black and White Ball fund-raiser are Phyllis McGuire, from left, Colette Saltz, Gretel Weller and Corinne Sidney. Jay Kornmayer, representing Wells Fargo Bank, from left, Tamara Kornmayer, Sharon Jenkins and Norm Jenkins chat during the reception Saturday for Nevada Ballet Theatre's Woman of the Year gala. Harris Ferris, Nevada Ballet Theatre's executive director, left, and Bruce Steivel, the company's artistic director, meet with Ann-Margret, recipient of the group's Woman of the Year Award, Saturday at Caesars Palace. Nevada Ballet Theatre co-founder Nancy Houssels, from left, Jacqueline Juliano, Woman of the Year recipient Ann-Margret and Mark Juliano visit during the private reception preceding the Black and White Ball at Caesars Palace. Jennifer Kratochwill, from left, Linda Tannenbaum, Nate Tannenbaum, Beth Gayler, Barb Merrill, Janet Ferris and Jesus Sanfiel are in step at the Black and White Ball. Dressed in festive black and white attire during the Nevada Ballet Theatre fund-raiser Saturday at Caesars Palace are Robert Kolesar, from left, Irais Kolesar, Lisa Heck and Joe Heck. Wendy Plaster was co-chairwoman of the 2005 Nevada Ballet Theatre's Woman of the Year benefit. Photos by MARIAN UMHOEFER/REVIEW-JOURNAL

Entertainer Ann-Margret was honored as Woman of the Year by Nevada Ballet Theatre Saturday in the Palace Ballroom at Caesars Palace.

The Black and White Ball, the dance company's largest fund-raiser of the year, honors a prominent woman who has made a significant contribution to the performing arts and who also has a connection to Las Vegas.

Ann-Margret, twice nominated for an Oscar and the winner of five Golden Globes, has performed on many Las Vegas stages, as well as in movies and television. Among her films is "Viva Las Vegas" with Elvis Presley.

The evening began with a private reception for significant ticket holders and event sponsors Cartier and Wells Fargo.

Welcoming guests to the reception were Mark Juliano, president and chief executive officer of Caesars Palace, and his wife, Jacqueline; Nancy Houssels, co-founder of the ballet company and event and executive committee co-chairwoman; Wendy Plaster, event and executive committee co-chairwoman; Mariam Afshai, Cartier Las Vegas boutique director and a member of the dance company's board; and Howard Warnock, senior vice president of Cartier USA.

Ann-Margret entered the room wearing a simple yet elegant black velvet gown with flowing black chiffon neck scarf to the floor. She was accompanied by her husband, Roger Smith.

Butlers passed champagne and wine to guests including Wendy and Richard Plaster, Holly and Steve Schorr, Phyllis McGuire, Corinne Sidney, Dee and Don Snyder, Lou and Jerry Emmert, Colette Saltz, Sandee Tiberti, Debbie Munch, Robin Leach, and Judy and Jim Kropid. Also attending were James B. Coon, senior vice president and regional manager of private client services at Wells Fargo, and Wells Fargo vice president Jay Kornmayer and Tamara Kornmayer.

A larger reception took place an hour later outside the Palace Ballroom attended by 700 guests wearing black, white or a combination of the two.

This year a silent auction was offered as guests Toni and Victor Chaltiel, Peg Crockett, Jewel Brooks, Irais and Robert Kolesar, Sharon and Norm Jenkins, Claudine Williams, Kitty Rodman, Keith Boman, Alan Morrell, Bebe Adams, Michael Brown, Mimi Cerrone, Sherry Cavender, Jane and Robert Fielden, M.J. and Jack Harvey, Zoe Brown, Rene and John O'Reilly, and Carolyn Sparks made their bids and socialized over cocktails.

Dinner followed in the ballroom where the tables were in the shape of large squares covered in black linens with black chair covers accented with a real gardenia.

The event's flowers were done by Caesars' Jane Carroll, who worked with a variety of arrangements including an assortment of hats made of flowers on highboys.

At each place setting were framed photos of Ann-Margret in her different movie roles and a Cartier gift.

Harris Ferris, the ballet company's executive director, and Bruce Steivel, artistic director, thanked the evening's participants for their support.

Robin Leach served as master of ceremonies and introduced Ann-Margret, who was escorted into the room by Caesars' centurions and seated at a table with family and friends.

Nevada Ballet Theatre dancers Natalia Chapourskaya and Tess Hooley with eight male dancers performed excerpts from "A Salute to Richard Rodgers." The orchestra was conducted by Vince Falcone.

KTNV-TV, Channel 13, weatherman Nate Tannenbaum conducted the live auction for a custom Harley-Davidson motorcycle personalized by Ann-Margret that sold for $30,000. A 1964 photo from "Viva Las Vegas" showing Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley standing in front of a University of Nevada banner sold for $7,000.

Seen enjoying the four-course gourmet dinner with selected wines from Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada were Jan and Owen Nitz, Ginette Jaramillo, Francine and Brooke Pulliam, J.A. Tiberti, Peggy Bostian, Mari and Thom Landers, Jenny DesVaux Oakes and Roger Oakes, Abby Geyer, Joe and Lisa Heck, Parvin and Ted Jacobs, Sandy Peltyn, R.J. Peltyn, Robert and Vera Goulet, Fred Nassiri, Jeanne Greenawalt, Jill Curtis, Ruth and Jack Lillis, Sherry and Jack London, Persia and James Golden, Gianna and James "Bucky" Buchanan, Jeanne Hood, Sandra and James Frank, Patricia and Richard Wright, and Andra and Paul Maffey.

The tribute to Ann-Margret opened with a video appearance by a former Woman of the Year, Elaine Wynn. Personal appearances were made by entertainers Rip Taylor, Bill Acosta and Maggie Banks, a former principal dancer with the American Ballet Company who became Ann-Margret's dance coach. The singing group from "Forever Plaid" entertained. Also onstage were Frankie Randall singing "Luck Be a Lady Tonight" and Tony Curtis and Phyllis McGuire. Robert Goulet dedicated two songs to the honoree: "You've Got a Friend in Me" and "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face."

Celine Dion paid tribute by video, and a video of Ann-Margret's life concluded the program.

Nancy Houssels and Wendy Plaster presented Ann-Margret with the Woman of the Year Award and the young ballerinas presented her with a bouquet of white roses.