Priscilla Presley honored by Nevada Ballet Theatre

Nevada Ballet Theatre presented their 27th annual Black and White Ball on Jan. 29 at CityCenter's Aria. The black-tie event honored Priscilla Presley as its 2011 Woman of the Year.

The event began with a VIP party sponsored by Cartier at their new store in Crystals, where Nancy Houssels, co-founder of Nevada Ballet Theatre, and Mariam Afshai, regional director of Cartier, welcomed guests including Wendy and Richard Plaster, Keith Boman, Madeleine and Don Andress, Sharon and Norm Jenkins, Sandee Tiberti, Jacqulyn Shropshire, Melinda and Bob Brown, Rokh Afshai, Carolyn Sparks, Robin Leach, Stephanie and Steve Stallworth, Joel Bergman and Valentina Todorova, Vanessa and Josh Houssels, Cynthia Gregory, James Canfield, Beth Barbre, Michael Brown and Virginia Valentine, Alicia Jacobs and Vince Neil, Judy and Robert Silverman, Barbara Molasky and Mike Sloan, and Priscilla Presley, her daughter Lisa Marie with husband Michael Lockwood, Priscilla Presley's son Navarone Garibaldi and her mother Ann Beaulieu.

The ball's main reception took place in the Pinyon Ballroom, where 673 guests mingled over cocktails as Nevada Ballet Theatre dancers were featured warming up on the ballet barres spotlighted in the middle of the room. The dining room was decorated in black, white and silver satin tablecloths with centerpieces of crystals and purple orchids.

Honorary chairpersons Bobby Baldwin and Audra Hendley welcomed all from the podium and introduced dinner chairpersons Christina and Paul Berry. A tango and excerpts form "Cyclical Night" was performed by the ballet theater's dancers.

Christian Kolberg, with help from Chet Buchanan, conducted a live auction for items including a $23,500 shopping spree at Crystals; two tickets for "American Idol" with airfare and two nights in Los Angeles; a made-to-order Fendi handbag; two cockapoo puppies; a top-of-the-line Harley-Davidson motorcycle; a poker lesson with Phil Ivey and entry into the World Series of Poker; a Michael Mina private dinner party and more.

Kolberg and Robin Leach conducted a "Raise Your Paddle," which brought in $125,000 for Nevada Ballet Theatre's live music fund. Following was a special performance by the cast of Aria's "Viva Elvis" by Cirque du Soleil.

The tribute to Priscilla Presley was given by Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of "American Idol" and judge and co-creator of "So You Think You Can Dance." A video of Presley's life and her career of acting, producing and publishing was shown before she was escorted to the stage to receive the Woman of the Year award presented by Nevada Ballet Theatre's co-chairs Nancy Houssels and Wendy Plaster and Mariam Afshai of Cartier.

More guests enjoying the evening and the music of Night Train were Debra Hood-Smith and Jack Smith, Kari and Jonathan Halkyard, Alisa Nave Worth and Rob Worth, Francine and Terry Graves, Colette Saltz, Charlene and Craig Cavileer, Diana Bennett, Vicki Fertitta, Shannon and Bill McBeath, Kim Sinatra and Harry Hagerty, Kell Houssels, Kathleen and Eric Houssels, Sue Sullivan and Irais and Bob Kolesar.