The evening of Friday, April 16th was a very special time for over 50 local attendees to Supporters of the Performing Arts event “Building a Dream…Leaving a Legacy”. The elegant Chateau was tastefully decorated with center pieces from local florist Blooms, and a warm glow filled the room. Guests  were welcomed that night with an open bar, a chaffeur who shuttled guests from the cars to the main entrance keeping them dry from the rain, and entertainment by local quartet VocalEase. Jubilations catering also provided a savory mix of food offerings to help appease any building appetites during the evening.

All in all, a total of $18,950 was raised towards the $5 million needed to construct the proposed 433 seat center. Larry and Karen Olson of Estes Park chose to name the Piano storage area for the center in the amount of $20,000. Another inspirational gift came in the form of a piano that will be permanently housed in the center in honor of the local piano icon, Ray Young. There are still numerous naming rights available.

 

Some guests chose to give an additional gift to afford them the opportunity to spend the night in one of the exquisite suites at the Chateau. Comfy tempurpedic beds welcomed rest after a full evening, along with the gas log fireplace and private hot tub. In the morning, guests were treated to a delightful fruit and yogurt sorbet and an apple upside down French toast served with sausage.

 

The highlight of the evening featured the local talent of Scott Anderson, Valerie Dascoli, Melissa Westover and  Christopher Wood accompanied by Ray Young of VocalEase who brought the house to its feet. Songs ranged from jazz charts of Java Jive and All the Things You Are, to operatic duets and sacred selections ranging from contemporary to a negro spiritual. Pictured are Valerie Dascoli and Christopher Wood singing “La Ci Da Rem La Mano” from Mozart’s Don Giovani, while Scott Anderson and Melissa Westover sang a rousing rendition of “The Drinking Song” from La Traviata.

 

Wood spoke that evening of the importance of community, of working together, and of leaving a gift that is bigger than one self. The future of Estes Park and its year-round sustainability depends on such a center which conservatively is estimated to dump $2.2  million into our local economy each year. Think of the educational opportunities for our children, the marketability to our 3.5 million annual visitors, and the cultural value added this center will have for its year-round residents. “A center of this magnitude will enrich our community for years to come.”

The board of directors would like to extend a special thank you to Della Terra and their staff for making this evening a most memorable one.