Nevada Opera Guild marks holiday with luncheon
The Nevada Opera Guild celebrated the holidays in style with a luncheon program Dec. 12 at Maggiano's Little Italy in the Fashion Show mall.
The late-morning celebration began with a hosted reception by Len Silberman and a silent auction amid the restaurant's festive decorations.
The opera luncheon's table sponsors were Joan Dimmitt, Rosita Kanes, Morton and Nicole Hyson, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Nevada State Bank, Charles and Nancy Vinnik, Len Silberman, Flamingo Glass & Engraving, Paula Perez, Mojgan Rahban-Ross, Denny Weddle & Associates, Karen Scherer, Linda Cassese, Lena Walther and Eileen Hayes.
Denny Weddle served as master of ceremonies. He introduced Scherer, Nevada Opera Guild chairwoman; Hayes, Nevada Opera founder and general director; Dimmitt, chairwoman of the Divas & Divos; Nancy Vinnik, advisory board member; Rahban-Ross, Luncheon on the Nile co-chair; and Walther, honorary consul of Sweden and co-chair of the Luncheon on the Nile.
Angie Wallin, executive director of Nevada Arts Advocates, spoke about the 12th annual Nevada Arts Advocates Gala that will take place Jan. 22 at Aria.
Maggiano's served a lovely three-course Italian menu enjoyed by guests including Caroline and Joe Laiacona, Kimberley Hyson, ZeeZee Zorn, Wynn Schottelkorb, Shelia McKay, Sandra Frank, Mike Howes and Maureen Hulin.
Nevada Opera Theatre soloists Shanti Bowes, soprano; tenors Ingvar Estrada and Ben Litvinoff; and Morton Hyson, bass, entertained with seasonal selections, with keyboard accompaniment by Richard Weiss. The Nevada Opera Theatre Chorus joined in the singing of holiday carols.
Seen among the opera aficionados were Libby Bjerke, Linn and Daryl Thome, Betty Bunch, Juliana McRae, Mary Peterson, Gloria Mancilla, Janet and Wayne Ryan, Joslyn Hozwort, and Liz and Gil Suckow.
Through the years, Nevada Opera Theatre's Opera Outreach Program has performed for more than 150,000 Clark County students.
