Master of many arts honored by Nevada Ballet Theatre

The Nevada Ballet Theatre honored dancer, choreographer, actress, producer, director and author Debbie Allen as Woman of the Year at their 31st Annual Black &White Ball the evening of Jan. 24. The highly anticipated black-tie event took place in Aria’s Ironwood Ballroom.

The evening began with a VIP reception sponsored by the shops at Crystals in the Lanvin Boutique. Supporters including Madeleine and Don Andress, Sandee and Tito Tiberti, Susan Graves, Gloria and Mark Fine, Dee and Ken Ladd, Carolyn Sparks, Julie Murray, Stella and Rob Roy, Audra Baldwin, Michael J. Brown, Mariam Afshai, Gayle Anderson, Michael Shulman, and Vanessa and Josh Houssels were among the guests greeted by dinner chairwomen Jodi Fonfa and Lynn Weidner, and NBT’s co-chairwomen Nancy Houssels and Wendy Plaster, as well as Judy Stone, director of marketing for the Shops at Crystals, and Julie Sirianni, director of Lanvin Inc.

At the VIP reception, guests had the opportunity to meet Debbie Allen, her husband, retired NBA All-Star Norm Nixon, and daughter, Vivian Nixon. Following the VIP reception, all guests attended the large reception in Aria’s ballroom, where they participated in the silent auction while a combo with Paul Lowden on the keyboard and singer Renee Hale entertained. Future dance students performed on the stage as the dinner seating took place.

Nancy Houssels came onstage to present the inaugural “Nancy Award,” an etched crystal statuette by Lalique, to honoree Diana Bennett. Bennett is one of 10 top gaming women in the United States; she is chairwoman of Three Square’s board of directors; she’s on the boards of many organizations including the UNLV Foundation; and she serves as the Bennett Family Foundation’s president.

Next came the live auction by Christian Kolberg for 10 packages, including a Paris Fashion Week with Lanvin plus $2,500 shopping credit which went for the bid of $12,000; a dinner for 12 by Michelin Chef Alain Ducasse which sold for $16,000; a choice of an Oceania Cruise for two to Alaska or to the Mediterranean that went for $7,000; and a Mercedes-Benz 2014 CLA250 that sold for $32,000. Frankie Moreno performed before Chet Buchanan conducted a very successful “Raise Your Paddle.”

NBT Artistic Director James Canfield introduced a Pas de Deux from Act II of “Romeo &Juliet.” Beth Barbre, NBT’s executive director and CEO, gave special thanks to everyone responsible for making the Black &White Ball an overwhelming success.

Introducing the tribute to honoree Allen was dancer Desmond Richardson, hailed by The New York Times to be among the greatest of dancers. Motown Records founder Berry Gordy also took the stage to congratulate Allen. Making the presentation to the three-time Emmy Award-winning Allen were Nancy Houssels, Wendy Plaster, Judy Stone, Julie Sirianni, NBT Board of Trustees President Madeleine Andress and NBT Board of Trustees Vice President Audra Baldwin.

Among the 500 guests were Cameron Conn, Todd Conn, Marlee Palermo, Andrew Fonfa, Scott Menke, Jeri and Rick Crawford, Richard Plaster, John Mangan, Debra Hood-Smith and Jack Smith, Ruth and Jack Lillis, Jackie DeLaney and Brian Connett, Judy Middleton, Cynthia Gregory, Mariam Afshai, Wayne Schmitz, Denise and Dan Reichartz, Melissa and Clark Warren, Lee Medick, Patricia and Richard Wright, Melissa Cardella, Sandy Peltyn, John Mangan, Mary Wilson, Irais and Bob Kolesar, Doris and Ted Lee, Fred Matraki, Patricia Fink, Bill Weidner, Sandra Frank and Vaughn Richards.