Woolstons honored at philharmonic gala

The Las Vegas Philharmonic presented its Diamonds Are Forever Gala on March 19 at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

The black-tie evening celebrated CJ and Art Woolston for their support of the community's charities and art organizations, but particularly for their work for the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

A Nevada School of the Arts violin ensemble, under the direction of Shakeh Ghoukasian, welcomed guests at the party's entrance.

Guests proceeded through two rooms filled with silent auction items while enjoying butler-passed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.

Dinner committee members Ellie Hirschfeld, Yvette and Ellis Landau, Denise and George Mehocic, Ronit and Ido Izkovich, Kirsti and William Powell, Erin and Scott Wiegand, Rick Crawford, Stephanie and Marc Finkel, William Freyd, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Lou Fink, Dan Henson, Prisca and David Crawford, Anne Loraditch and Frank Schnapf, along with the philharmonic's director/conductor David Itkin and Teri Itkin mingled with guests.

Among those in attendance were Mayor Oscar Goodman and Carolyn Goodman, Nancy Houssels, Juliana and Matthew McRae, Jewel Brooks, Lewis Aronow, Mari and Thom Landers, Diane and Patrick Clary, Alan Feldman, Terri Bernard and George Cohan, Lucille and Dan Weinberger, Bob Boughner and his sister Lisa Boughner, Mariam and Rokh Afshai, Dee and Don Snyder, Patsy and Robert Brinton, Sharon Schmitt, Lillian Prusan and Kenton Aemmenson Smith.

Author Jack Sheehan served as master of ceremonies. Florals were by Tiger Lily Florist, and master chef Gustav Mauler presented a three-course dinner.

During dinner, fifth-grader Emily Richardson, a winner of many violin competitions who will perform at Carnegie Hall this month, performed "Danse Espagnole" from "La Vida Breve" by Manuel de Falla.

Larry Zucker conducted a live auction for luxury package trips to Antigua, Costa Rica, France and Hawaii; diamond earrings; and a cockapoo puppy named Beethoven.

Rick Crawford spoke about the gala's honorees, CJ and Art Woolston, and their sponsorship of the philharmonic's masterworks, soirees and Christmas concerts. Event co-chairs Jeri Crawford and Patricia Pieper Fink made the award presentations to the Woolstons.

Saks Fifth Avenue presented a Best of Saks Fashion Show featuring Elie Tahari leathers, and spring fashions by Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabbana, and Marchesa.

In all, 320 guests attended, including Therese and Byron Giorgio, Jack Godfrey, Michelle and Dallas Hawn, Sara and Mark Ricciardi, Dana and Myron Martin, Rhoda and Pam Ring, Al Scalleat, Jan and Phillip Manno, Allison and Vincent Mayo, Ann and Ed Jenner, Debbie Gregory, Sonja and Steve Walther and son Steven Walther, Jess Peck, Alisa and Robert Worth, and Teri and Jonathan Halkyard.

Gala proceeds will benefit the Las Vegas Philharmonic's Youth Concert Series.