Rocking at the Museum soiree

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science sure knows how to rock a gala.

Especially this year when its signature fundraiser, Museum After Dark, put the spotlight on the museum’s “bold and inspired” geology collection and its curator of geology, James Hagadorn.

The evening wasn’t just about the rocks one extracts from the ground.

Sure, the 550 guests could view specimens from around the world that are on display in the Coors Hall of Gems and Minerals and place bids on pieces of rhodochrosite, malachite, okenite and other colorful minerals donated by The Collector’s Edge.

But, thanks to entertainment chairs Chuck and Becky Morris, there was rock ’n’ roll music by Flash Cadillac and, for the After Dark Soiree hosted by the museum’s young professionals committee, tunes spun by DJ Yo Huck.

The event was chaired by Hal and Ann Logan and Matthew and Priya Burkett. Hal Logan is vice chair of the museum’s board of trustees; Matthew Burkett is a member of the board.

The $650,000 that was raised goes toward the implementation of a new “suite of experiences” that will bring the museum to classrooms across Colorado. Set to debut in late fall, they will include classes, labs and tours with subjects ranging from animals to outer space, giving children a chance to engage more fully with nature and science.

Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne and her husband, James Brown, were among the guests, joining a crowd that also included board of trustees chair Mont- gomery Cleworth; Happy Haynes, a museum trustee and executive director of Denver Parks and Recreation; retired Lockheed Martin Space Systems executive James Crocker and his wife, Barbara; Malik Robinson, executive director of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance; Denver Zoo trustee Marcela de la Mar; Urban Market Partners founder Amy Harmon; former Museum After Dark chairs Lee and Susan McIntire; M. Ray Thomasson and Merrill Shields, who also are former chairs of the gala; Marne Davis Kellogg and Peter Kellogg; Steve and Kathy McConahey; Jena and Kevin Hausmann; Ryan and Simone Ross; and Cy and Lyndia Harvey.

Photos by Tuan Vo, Special to The Denver Post Event chairs Hal and Ann Logan, left, and Priya and Matthew Burkett.

The museum’s curator of geology, James Hagadorn, with the quartz that he describes as “Our Blarney Stone.”

Maruca Salazar, executive director of Museo de las Americas, and her husband, Daniel.

Dr. Shandra Wilson and her husband, George Sparks, president of Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Bryon Horvath and Hollie Velasquez Horvath.