Urban Nights’ gala takes to the streets
Urban Nights took to the streets this year, moving from its previous location under the historic Colfax viaduct to a block alongside EXDO Event Center that had been closed off for the occasion.
The move — first in the event’s sixyear history — proved to be both popular and profitable, with a record 1,200 guests and alltime high of $750,000 raised for Urban Peak and its efforts to help people between the ages of 15 and 24 overcome homelessness, develop safe relationships with trustworthy adults, establish positive networks of support and develop skills that will lead them to selfsufficiency.
Presented by Bank of America, with significant support from the Joseph Family Foundation and Oakwood Homes, Urban Nights was chaired by Andrew Feinstein, a fifthgeneration native of Denver who serves as managing partner for EXDO Management Property Group, and Sarah Mccarthy, the head of ambassador engagement for Project C.U.R.E.
Urban Nights took place on a beautiful Saturday evening; on Monday, Feinstein and Mccarthy were married by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock in a ceremony conducted in the Denver City and County Building.
The festivities began with a stepandrepeat photo op, wine, beer and tequila cocktails, street performers and the opportunity to enjoy bites to eat at food stalls operated by purveyors that ranged from the Adobo Food Truck to the Radical Sasquatch Dumpling Co.
A tradition at Urban Nights is a fashion show and the 2018 edition had a fresh approach.
Instead of featuring a name designer or an array of outfits from a local or national fashion retailer, community leaders Hollie Velasquez Horvath, Janice Sinden, Kasia Iwaniczko Macleod, Marcela de la Mar, Melanie Ulle, Priya Burkett, Simone Ross, Stephanie Donner, Tami Door and Teddi B were recruited to model creations designed by Urban Peak clients and students from the Art Institute that played off the event’s Beauty in the World theme.
The show, produced by Evelyn Knuckles, founder of the Evey K mobile fashion boutique, followed remarks by Mayor Hancock and Urban Peak’s chief executive officer, Christina Carlson, and the unveiling of a mural on the exterior of EXDO Event Center that had been painted by artist Tracy Weil, cofounder of the River North Art District, with help from Urban Peak clients Abbigail, Chris, Mario, Ezra, Jessica, Marry and Teddy.
Jodi Rolland, the Colorado and Denver market president of Bank of America, presented the Urban Honoree award to Melanie L. Lewis Dickerson, portfolio manager for Community Solutions, and the Urban Legend award to IMA Financial Group chairman/ CEO Rob Cohen.
Prior to joining Community Solutions, Dickerson spent six years as partnerships manager for Denver’s Road Home. She is also president of the Mile High Young Professionals and vice president/public policy for the Junior League of Denver. Cohen serves on the boards of several nonprofits, including the Denver Zoo, the Colorado I Have A Dream Foundation and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Foundation. He is a longtime member and past president of the board of trustees for Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Urban Nights ended with a concert featuring Grammywinning vocalist Macy Gray and Maestro Jeff Hughes. Her 2010 hit, Beauty in the World, inspired the theme for this year’s Urban Nights.
Gray, Andrew Feinstein told us, was an appropriate choice for the Urban Nights headliner spot because of her involvement with homeless young people. And, when she finished third in Season 8 of Bravo’s Celebrity Poker Showdown, her winnings went to Habitat for Humanity.
Those attending Urban Nights included state Reps. Janet Buckner and Alec Garnett; Denver City Attorney Kristin Bronson with husband, Jeremy, owner of Occasions Catering; Denver City Council members Albus Brooks, Mary Beth Susman and Robin Kniech; Gina Comminello and Matthew Morris, who did the models’ makeup and hair; Tiana Nelson, the Denver director of public relations and outreach for Colorado State University; LIV Sotheby’s International broker associate Andi Leahey; Nancy Alterman of Tricuzz Productions; Laurie Essermannowak and Paul Nowak; Urban Peak’s former chief, Kim Easton, who is now president/ceo of the National Sports Center for the Disabled; Cliff Stricklin and Christy Newhof; Kirsten and Bradley Benefiel; James Hearty; and such host committee members as Dana Davis, Josh Hanfling, Quinn Washington, Meg Dubray, Amber Mcreynolds and Chelley Canales.