SEEN: Sugarplum Ball kicked off “Nutcracker” season»
When it comes to making sweet memories, it’s hard to beat the Sugarplum Ball.
For 27 years it has helped launch Colorado Ballet’s “Nutcracker” season, and the members of Colorado Ballet Auxiliary work very hard to make sure that everything — from the décor to the food to the presentation of the Nutcracker Sugarplums — is perfect.
This year was no exception as ball chairwoman Katy Brown and her committee put together a night that the young honorees and their families will hold dear.
The highlight of the ball, held at the Brown Palace Hotel, comes when the Sugarplums are introduced by mistress of ceremonies Denise Sanderson. As each of the secondgraders walk onto a stage in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom, they are joined by their fathers, who bow as their daughters curtsy. The dads present their daughters with a rose before stepping aside so that the Sugarplum Fairy can sprinkle them with sparkly fairy dust.
Sanderson also introduces the Sugarplum Alums, the third-graders who had been honored the previous year. In addition to having a second turn in the spotlight at the Sugarplum Ball, the alums are invited to appear in the party scene of “The Nutcracker” during its month-long run at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
“Performing in the party scene is a memory these girls never forget,” Brown noted.
Colorado Ballet Auxiliary members Michelle Garcia and Holly Price chaired the Sugarplum program this year, overseeing a year’s worth of activities designed to teach the young honorees the value of friendship and giving.
They included a motherdaughter tea, where the Sugarplums and alums learn about Colorado Ballet’s education and outreach programs; a fatherdaughter party; a holiday gathering, and an age-appropriate fundraising opportunity that benefits Colorado Ballet programs serving students, teachers and families from underserved neighborhoods; people with disabilities and those considered lifelong learners.
The 2017 Sugarplums, and their parents, are:
Estelle Becker, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Becker; Emma Boggs, Sandra Brown and Gil Boggs; Emily Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Clarke; Sorenna Cooper, Tammy Cooper and Wesley Cooper; Katarina Cordovano, Gulnara LaFrance and Sam Cordovano; Caroline Cox, Judy Jensen and Michael Cox; Caroline Cramer, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Cramer; Ruby Englert, Mr. and Mrs. James Englert; Anna Farver, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Farver; Camille Fedorowicz, Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Fedorowicz; Morgan Friedman, Stephanie Feuer and Dr. Norman Friedman.
Marissa Garcia, Michelle Garcia and David Garcia; Portia Giordano, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Giordano; Corrin Haggerty, Mr. and Mrs. Colin Haggerty; Elizabeth Harbaugh, Dr. Megan Harbaugh and Jerad Harbaugh; Lucy Johnson, Dr. and Mrs. James Johnson; Mary Jourde, Mr. and Mrs. John Jourde; Emerson Ju, Mr. and Mrs. Sangwook Ju; Zoey Kelin, Mr. and Mrs. Shebon Kelin; Julia Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kennedy; Adelaide Lynott, Stacey Farnum and Joseph Lynott.
Scarlet Mielke, Dr. Angie Mielke and Craig Mielke; Sophia Prall, Dr. and Mrs. J. Adair Prall; Eva Ridenour, Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Ridenour; Molly Rosenberg, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Rosenberg; Orli Sachs, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Sachs; Sofie Schulz, Angela Strange and Alfred Schulz; Annalisa Sexton, Silvia Comuzzi-Sexton and Adam Sexton; Elle Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Smith; Tula Stettner, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stettner; Lillian Urband, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Urband; and Charlotte Zimmerman, Dr. and Mrs. Rick Zimmerman.
Other auxiliary members with leadership roles in the Sugarplum Ball were Robin Morris, Anjali Schulte, Laura Lauds, Andi Freyer, Mary Stromberg, Jennifer Havercroft-Miller, Tammy Cooper, Marsha Giordano, Chiara Kline, Lauren Rotolo, Julie Sachs, Kellie Prall, Andrea Schumacher, Erin Ferris Dollarhide, Elena Stophel and auxiliary president Kelly Matthews.