Lakeside Center to mark Princess Diana’s birthday with monthlong exhibit
Not many women's 50th birthdays are celebrated in other countries. But then, not many women are held in as high esteem as the late Princess Diana.
The Royal Tea Society at the Lakeside Center, 2620 Regatta Drive, is marking the occasion with the "Remembering Princess Diana Miniature Dress and Doll Museum," which is set to open on her birthday, Friday . The month long exhibit, housed in Suite 119, features more than 50 Princess Diana dolls and dresses, including replicas of gowns auctioned off for charity by Christie's in 1997.
The specially crafted dolls are owned by members of the Royal Tea Society.
"We started out with a few little dolls, and the ladies went, 'Oh, you can (display) this doll and you can have that doll,' " said Pamela Schaefer, founder of the Royal Tea Society. "It just kept growing."
Accompanying cards tell about the outfits and where they were worn. An area to one side will allow children to play with other dolls and try on dress-up items.
The clothes are meticulous, with shirring and tiny beading, each detail true to Diana's outfits, just in miniature.
The museum also will include replica tiaras, jewelry and authentic historic mementos relating to her life. Darren McGrady was the royal couple's chef. Signed copies of his recipe book will be available for $25.
Denise Wiegand, whose former employer, GES, provided the display cases, said Diana's appeal is timeless.
"It's been almost 20 years (since her death), and she's just as popular as ever," she said.
The exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays throughout July . Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for seniors and children under 12.
For more information, visit princessdiana-royaltea.com or contact Schaefer at 233-2795 or royalteasociety@cox.net.
That's not the only celebration on tap.
On Friday , Garfield's Restaurant, located in the same center, plans to host a charity concert from 8 to 10 p.m. to benefit Three Square food bank and to commemorate Princess Diana's 50th birthday. Three Square serves meals to the needy.
Val Watts, owner of the Lakeside Center, said the activities and raising funds for charity were "compatible with Diana's legacy of giving."
Expect music featuring an Elton John impersonator and dancing. The cost is $50 per person and includes two tokens for complimentary drinks. Those who want to dine like royalty can opt for a special three-course meal starting at 6 p.m., followed by admission to the concert and tokens for two complimentary drinks, all for $150 per person. The dinner re-creates one enjoyed by the princess, based on recipes from her personal chef.
Throughout the month, Garfield's also plans to offer high tea from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for children 5 to 12.
To finish things off, the eatery plans to host another charity event inspired by Diana's birthday, also to benefit charity. Dinner is set from 6 to 8 p.m. and the concert from 8 to 11 p.m. July 31.
Called the Buckingham Palace barbecue and concert, it is set to feature C.J. Sinestro as Frank the Voice and the Joe Darro Band for music and dancing.
The cost for the concert is $50 per person, with tokens for two complimentary drinks. For the concert and dinner, the cost is $150.
For tickets and information on any of the Garfield's events, call 240-5216.
Contact Summerlin and Summerlin South View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 387-2949.
Celebrating Princess Diana's legacy
The Royal Tea Society's exhibit "Remembering Princess Diana Miniature Dress and Doll Museum" is scheduled to run through July at the Lakeside Center in Desert Shores in Suite 119 at 2620 Regatta Drive. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.
Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for seniors and children under 12. For more information, visit princessdiana-royaltea.com or contact Schaefer at 233-2795 or royalteasociety@cox.net.
Garfield's Restaurant, also in the Lakeside Center, plans to host a charity concert featuring an Elton John impersonator and dancing from 8 to 10 p.m. July 1 to benefit Three Square food bank and to commemorate Princess Diana's 50th birthday. The cost for the concert is $50 per person.
A dinner also is planned for 6 p.m. It will feature three courses prepared based on recipes from Princess Diana's personal chef. The cost for the dinner, concert and two tokens for complimentary drinks is $150 per person.
Throughout July, Garfield's also will host high tea from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays for $25 for adults and $15 for children 5 to 12.
A Buckingham Palace barbecue and concert is set for 6 to 11 p.m. July 31 at Garfield's. It will feature C.J. Sinestro as Frank the Voice and the Joe Darro Band. The cost is $50 per person for the concert, with two tokens for complimentary drinks, and $150 for the concert and dinner.
For tickets to any of the Garfield's events, call 240-5216.
