Napa Valley Opera House 2010 Gala
Auction Overview
1. “The Ultimate” Dinner Party with Tyler Florence — for ten
2. Jackson Hole — six nights for four
3. A Touch of Pilchuck Glass — four nights for two
4. A Luxurious Week at Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas — seven nights for six or fewer
5. Cab and a Slab — for twenty
6. 6A. Sea Ranch Beach House — two weeks for four
6B. Sea Ranch Beach House — two weeks for four
7. Platinum Pass to the Opera House for One Year — for two
8. Italy — nine nights for two
9. Bar-B-Que and Blues Party — for twenty-four
10. A Dazzling Dinner and Duet — for six or seven
11. A Child’s Introduction to the Stock Market
12. Turkey: Istanbul and the Turquoise Coast — eight nights for six or fewer
13. A Bistrot Luncheon with Jil Aigrot — for eight or nine
14. The Glitter, the Glamour, the Game. The LA Lakers and meeting their #1FAN — three nights for two
15. Sweet Home Chicago — three nights for two
16. Funding our Needs
17. Taste of Oakville
18. Cuba — six nights for four
19. Paella-Palooza — for twenty
20. The Spoleto Festival in Charleston and The Inn at Palmetto Bluff — six nights for two
21. A Splendid Evening at the Duckhorn Estate House — for twelve
22. A Man. A Plan. A Canal. Panama Canal Voyage — eleven nights for two
23. Last Chance Taverna — for fourteen
24. Two Hot Nights with A Cool Jazz Duo — for eight or nine
Note: Airfare is not included in travel lots unless stated in the auction description.
Auction lots subject to change > Download a printable version of these auction lots (PDF)
Lot 1: “The Ultimate” Dinner Party with Tyler Florence for ten
- Dinner for ten in your home prepared by Chef Tyler Florence
“TF” wines
Staff for preparation of dinner - “Tyler’s Ultimate” cookbook signed to guests
 Here is the easiest way to host “The Ultimate” dinner party for 10 in your home! Choose a date. Send out the invitations. And let world-renowned Food Network chef Tyler Florence do the cooking in your kitchen. Enjoy Tyler’s “TF” wines paired with your favorite recipes from “Tyler’s Ultimate” cookbook. Your guests will leave with an unforgettable memory and their own personalized “Tyler’s Ultimate” cookbooks.
Tyler Florence has been a Food Network star for 14 years, starring in How to Boil Water, his cooking show for novices; Food 911, his hugely popular "recipe rescue" show; as well as his signature series, Tyler's Ultimate. Tyler is also a regular guest on The Today Show, CNN, The View, The Tonight Show, Oprah, Access Hollywood, Extra, Good Morning America, and more. Tyler has authored numerous cookbooks, including Stirring the Pot, Dinner at My Place, Eat This Book, Real Kitchen and of course Tyler’s Ultimate.
Tyler will be opening The Tyler Florence Shop as well as the Tyler Florence Rotisserie & Wine restaurant in Napa, in September 2010. He recently opened the Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco and is planning to open the El Paseo restaurant in Mill Valley (Fall 2010) close to his flagship Tyler Florence Shop already established in Mill Valley.
Date: By mutual arrangement
Valid: December 2010 - August 2011 with 3 months’ advance planning
Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Lot 2: Jackson Hole six nights for four- Six nights at Golf Creek Ranch town home
- Round of golf for four at Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club
— or — four, one-day lift tickets at Teton Village ski resort
— or — one day guided fly-fishing expedition on the Snake River - Dinner for four at the Snake River Grill
The magnificent Grand Teton Mountains are the backdrop for a week of sport and relaxation for four in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Sitting in the shadows of the jagged Grand Teton Mountain Range, Jackson Hole spans a total 4,214 square miles of water- and glacier-carved earth. The beauty of the Teton skyline jutting out of the flat expanse of the Snake River Valley is one of the most familiar images in the American West. The Tetons have become the quintessential representation of what all mountains should look like, mountains of the imagination. Sitting at the base of these storied peaks is the Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club.
You’ll stay in comfort at a townhouse located on the third fairway of the Jackson Hole Golf Club. The 2-bedroom, 2-bath town home is just 7.5 miles north of Jackson Hole’s town square. One evening, you will enjoy the wood-fired-oven specialties of the beautiful rustic Snake River Grill on the square in downtown Jackson Hole.
We’ll give you a taste of the opportunities to enjoy this incredible place. Depending on the season, choose a round of golf for four at Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club, with its course designed by Robert Trent Jones II, or four one-day lift tickets at Teton Village Ski Resort. Or, you can meander along the Snake River with your private fishing guide, shadowed by the soaring peaks of the Tetons.
This is God's country, for sure, and you're bound to be awed by the beauty of this trip.
Date: By mutual arrangement
Valid: Through September 19, 2011 Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Lot 3: A Touch of Pilchuck Glass four nights for two - Four nights at the The Westin Seattle
- Pilchuck Glass School Auction Weekend Tour — October 13 - 16, 2010 (or October 12 - 15, 2011)
- Tours of artists’ studios and collectors’ homes normally closed to the public.
- One centerpiece designed by Chuck Vannatta, 2010 Auction Centerpiece Designer
- Most meals (see final itinerary)
- All transportation in Seattle except airport-hotel transfer
- Patron seating at Pilchuck Auction Gala Event on October 15, 2010
Take pleasure in a unique view of glass as an art form during three days and four nights of extraordinary glass-related events centered on the Pilchuck Glass School Annual Auction. Don’t miss this informational and inspirational exploration of the Pacific Northwest’s place in the American Studio Glass Movement, culminating in the auction itself.
Your days will be full of exceptional experiences: there are so many artists to meet, studios to see, and private homes and art collections to visit!
The 2010 Auction Tour begins with a private tour of the serene Pilchuck campus, glassmaking demonstrations, immersive hands-on activities, and a lively reception and dinner in the award-winning Pilchuck lodge. The Tour also stops at Dale Chihuly’s Ballard Studio. A staging area for major artworks and architectural installations, the Ballard Studio is in constant motion as large-scale projects and unique works of art are pre-installed in mock architectural environments. Delightfully unpredictable, the Auction Tour may give you a sneak preview of Chihuly’s next great piece—you may be in on the ground floor for something that will be talked about for years to come.
The itinerary also includes a visit to the studios of major artists, such as Cappy Thompson. You will have the extraordinary opportunity to visit some of the most incredible private art collections in Seattle, including a collection with works by Dante Marioni, Benjamin Moore, Steve Klein, Ethan Stern, Danny Perkins, Jen Elek, and Sean Albert, among others. And you will have an exclusive invitation to fabulous private homes, including a downtown condominium with spectacular water views in addition to spectacular art.
At the Pilchuck School Gala, you will have special Patron seating, and the opportunity to bid on the exciting auction lots offered to support the school. Who knows what you might come home with!
But even if your bid at the Pilchuck School Gala doesn’t win, tonight you will take a centerpiece designed by Chuck Vannatta, the 2010 Auction Centerpiece Designer.
Date: October 13 - 16, 2010 (or October 12 - 15, 2011) Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Lot 4: A Luxurious Week at Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas seven nights for six or fewer - Seven nights in a 3,000 sq. ft luxury oceanfront villa from December 4 – 11, 2010
- Use of a car during your stay
Here is the perfect antidote for the doldrums of winter. Head south for a sun-filled week of complete pampering in Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Your home away from home, a 3,000 sq.ft. three-bedroom luxury oceanfront villa has three and a half bathrooms, spacious living and dining areas, all beautifully furnished, plus a full kitchen and a laundry. Amenities include a fireplace, a patio, private pool and Jacuzzi, steam shower, barbeque, wireless internet connection, satellite television, and — seriously! — 24-hour butler service.
Esperanza is part of the Auberge Resorts group, with fine restaurants, a full service spa, yoga studio, fitness facility, and therapeutic massages. For the complete pampering experience, the Cabo Spa at Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas is world renowned as a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. It has been named the #1 spa in Latin America by Travel & Leisure. Celebrated for its coastal desert environment and handcrafted botanical treatments, the Cabo spa features a couple’s suite, a large soaking pool, an outdoor shower and a private sunbathing area.
With expansive views of the sparkling Sea of Cortez and a private beach but a few steps across the lawn from your bedroom, with majestic palms and luscious bougainvilleas tumbling and climbing throughout the gardens, this will be the tropical vacation of your dreams. And if all this is not enough, you can use the car provided to drive to nearby destinations. This luxury is just ten minutes from Cabo San Lucas at the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. There are lots of leisure activities to meet the needs of everyone in the group: golf, horseback riding, fishing, and many water sports. Shopping is at hand, and as for dining, there are restaurants aplenty.
Date: December 4 - 11, 2010 Bid now by proxy (PDF) Index
Lot 5: Cab and a Slab for twenty - Dinner with wine pairing for twenty at Groth Vineyards & Winery in Oakville
Every time someone asks Dennis Groth what he prefers to pair with his Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, the answer comes quickly…“ A cab and a slab.”
So, that’s just what we’ll give you. The perfect wine pairing. For twenty lucky people.
Come and enjoy Dennis’ favorite wine pairing at Dennis’ own winery. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Groth Vineyards & Winery is the perfect place for the perfect wine pairing. Sit back and unwind in the Reserve Cellar, where the Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon vintages rest and await bottling.
Suzanne Groth will be your hostess for the evening while her husband (and Executive Chef) Kimball Jones creates the perfect meal for you. Of course, the food will be paired with a special selection of Groth Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate.
After this evening, you’ll know just what Dennis means when he talks about “a cab and a slab.” The words will make your mouth water!
Date: By mutual arrangement
Valid: Until September 19, 2011
Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Lot 6: Sea Ranch Beach House two weeks for four - Lot A: Two weeks in a private home at Sea Ranch. May, 2011
- Lot B: Two weeks in a private home at Sea Ranch. August, 2011
Two weeks at the ocean! Think of that!
Yours for two weeks, this private vacation home (never rented) sits on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Designed by Turnbull, Griffin & Haesloop, one of the original Sea Ranch architectural firms, it has won several prestigious design awards.
As one of the first eco-communities, Sea Ranch stretches 10 miles along the Pacific Coast and represents an alliance of architecture and nature that has left decades of visitors with the feeling that there is no place in the world quite like it. You will enjoy fabulous views in a peaceful, relaxing, natural setting. Besides privileges at the pool and tennis courts, and 50 miles of hiking trails, your stay at Sea Ranch can include as many outdoor activities (golf, kayaking, bird watching, for example) or indoor activities (such as fine dining, wine tasting from the Sonoma Coast, visits to the vibrant local arts community and their many fine art galleries) as you would like. It is a delightful getaway that offers relaxation and adventure in equal measure.
For Lot A: In the spring, the wildflowers make for spectacular viewing along the dramatic coastline. Don’t forget your camera!
For Lot B: In August, you might want to catch the Art in the Redwoods Festival at the Gualala Arts Center, featuring local and not-so-local artists.
The house has two bedrooms/bathrooms in separate structures with queen beds. There is a loft-bunk bed in a separate studio with 1/2 bath, and a window seat off the living room that sleeps one. Perfect for a small family reunion or a retreat with your best friends. Two weeks at the ocean. Think of that!
Visit www.tgharchitects.com to view the house under "Projects"/ "Houses"/Sea Ranch 2
Dates: By mutual arrangement
Valid: Two weeks in May 2011 and two weeks in August 2011 Bid now by proxy (PDF)
 Lot 7: Platinum Pass to the Opera House for One Year for two - Two tickets to each NVOH-presented performance during 2011 (Jan. thru Dec.) with custom choice of seats for the year
- Complimentary VIP sparkling wine for two at every performance attended
- One-year membership to the exclusive NVOH Studio 1030 club
- Backstage tour
- Preferred-patron notification for drop-in performances (e.g. Steve Martin)
Think Carte Blanche! This is a dream-come-true for an arts-loving couple. With a one-of-a-kind pass for two, you will enjoy the best seats in the house (your choice) for each of the approximately 140 live performances that the Napa Valley Opera House will present between January 1 and December 31, 2011. Included will be comedy, dance, theatre, film, and all types of music — classical, jazz, pop, country, and folk. There will be no "sold-out" disappointments for you!
You will also enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour with NVOH artistic director, Evy Warshawski, sparkling wine at every performance attended, a year’s membership to the exclusive NVOH Studio 1030 club, and here's your fifteen minutes of fame times two: a chance to be an evening's emcee and to have a walk-on part in an NVOH-presented performance.
Please note: seats will be released 48 hours in advance of performances if the top bidder has not confirmed both seats for that evening.
Valid: Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2011 for performances presented by the NVOH at the Opera House
Conditions: Private rental events at NVOH excluded
Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Lot 8: Italy nine nights for two - Four nights at Ferragamo’s Il Borro, near Arrezzo
- Special wine tour and tasting with Salvatore Ferragamo
- Three nights at The Westin Excelsior, Florence
- Two nights at Villa d’Este on Lake Como
The quintessence of "la dolce vita" is available in spectacular fashion, with nine nights for two that will provide you with an Italian getaway experience unrivaled for its luxury, style and variety of settings, from farm to wine country, to a city, and then to the mountains.
Your first four nights will be in an apartment at Il Borro, the majestic 11th century estate near the town of Arrezzo. Once the home of the Italian royal family, this medieval village has been meticulously restored by the Ferruccio Ferragamo family. With luck your timing will be such that Salvatore Ferragamo himself will guide your tour and tasting. If you love Prada, Gucci, Ferragamo, Burberry, Loro Piana and the like, the factory outlets are nearby. Charming towns such as Montepulciano and Montalcino are also easy day-trips, guaranteeing memories of Tuscany that will delight you even longer than your outlet treasures.
After enjoying the countryside of Tuscany, you’ll spend three nights in fabulous Florence. Florence is famous for her glorious artwork, cultural heritage, and the major role she played in the Renaissance and Humanist movements. Neighboring the famous Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery and Pitti Palace, The Westin Excelsior in Florence was on the 2006 and 2007 Condé Nast Traveler Gold Lists and combines contemporary accommodations with seven centuries of Florentine history.
Then off you go for two nights on beautiful Lake Como and the hotel that Forbes 400 Traveler voted "World's Best Hotel" — it "has everything". At Villa d'Este you will be enchanted by the beauty, the service and the amenities as you enjoy a magnificent buffet breakfast, tennis, golf, water sports, or simply the view from your room overlooking the pool and garden. A perfect ending to a perfect trip.
Date: By mutual arrangement and subject to availability
Valid: Until September 19, 2011 Bid now by proxy (PDF) Index
Lot 9: Bar-B-Que and Blues Party for twenty-four - BBQ for twenty-four guests at the home of Jennifer and Herb Lamb
- Music by Nashville-based R&B soul singer/songwriter Kira Small and her sideman/bassist Bryan Beller
This is the perfect Napa Valley Bar-B-Que; relaxed and casual with abundant food and world-class wine in a fabulous setting. Vintners Jennifer and Herb Lamb really know how to party and love to entertain. Join them on the spacious deck of their lovely home at the base of Howell Mountain where the views are surpassed only by the incredible food and wine you’ll be enjoying. To make the party participatory, guests are encouraged to bring a fun bottle of wine to share.
After the Bar-B-Que and the wine, the party will really get swinging when Kira Small and Bryan Beller take the stage. Come prepared to be knocked off your feet!
Kira Small sings with all the soul of classic R&B/Blues singers like Etta James, Bonnie Bramlett and (of course) Aretha Franklin, and with the command and ability of jazz singers like Sarah Vaughn and Diana Krall (especially when she does her solo jazz piano/vocal stuff). She has the lilt and musicality of singers like Corinne Bailey Rae and the contemporary urban soulfulness of Jill Scott. That musicality carries over into her instrumental ability as well, as showcased in both her solo jazz piano/vocal forays and her ensemble work.
Kira writes songs that reach people. Songs about all the things that make the world go ‘round…love, sex, triumph, failure, hope, and most everything else that matters to us all. From the totally groovatious “Sugar Man” to the anthemic self-realization piece “I Will Raise My Voice” her songs are filled with emotion, passion, heart and truth.
Kira Small and Bryan Beller are the real deal!
Date: June or July 2011 by mutual arrangement Bid now by proxy (PDF) Index
Lot 10: A Dazzling Dinner and Duet for six or seven - A lively evening for six or seven on Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Special guests: world-renowned pianist/composer Philip Glass and cellist Wendy Sutter
Host: Margrit Biever Mondavi
Chef: Richard Reddington of Redd
Wines from the magnificent cellar of Margrit Biever Mondavi - Six VIP tickets to PHILIP GLASS, An Evening of Chamber Music Featuring Philip Glass and Wendy Sutter on Thursday, April 28, 2011
The stars will come out tonight! Share a brilliant evening with luminaries from the worlds of music, wine, and food. Six or seven lucky people will be guests of the brightest star in Napa’s firmament, Margrit Biever Mondavi, in her new home. You won’t have to look up in the sky to enjoy the sparkling brilliance of this evening. You’ll be wining and dining with two stars of the classical music world, Philip Glass and Wendy Sutter.
The new musical style that Glass was evolving was eventually dubbed “minimalism.” Glass himself never liked the term and preferred to speak of himself as a composer of “music with repetitive structures.” There has been nothing “minimalist” about his output. In the past 25 years, Glass has composed more than twenty operas, large and small; eight symphonies (with others already on the way); two piano concertos and concertos for violin, piano, timpani, and saxophone quartet and orchestra; soundtracks to films; string quartets; a growing body of work for solo piano and organ.
Acclaimed by the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and many other publications, Wendy Sutter is one of the leading cellists of her generation. Holding an unrivaled mastery of the classical repertoire, Sutter's stunning performances provide a heartfelt intensity, garnering overwhelming praise from critics, and adoration from audiences around the world.
Your luminary from the world of food will be acclaimed chef-owner of Redd in Yountville and Margrit Mondavi’s personal favorite, Chef Richard Reddington..He will dazzle you with a delectable feast carefully paired with some truly stellar wines. Always the consummate hostess, Margrit Mondavi will share a bright constellation of wines specially chosen from her magnificent cellar.
After getting to know the musicians in this rarified atmosphere, it will take a while to come down to earth. To help with your re-entry, you will enjoy their performance at the Opera House the following evening. Your VIP seats await you.
Dinner Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Performance Date: Thursday, April 28, 2011
Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Index
Lot 11: A Child’s Introduction to the Stock Market - An opening brokerage account at Sutter Securities in San Francisco consisting of ten shares each of the stocks of Bank of America, Burger King, Electronic Arts, Ford, Dell Computer, Gap Stores, Harley Davidson, Mattel, Southwest Airlines, Yahoo. (Note: the companies comprising this start-up portfolio may be subject to change between press-time and share purchase execution.)
- Two visits to Sutter Securities. Each visit includes an approximately one-hour lesson from the firm’s CEO, Bob Muh, who has been in the securities industry for more than thirty years. An Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco, Bob teaches law students about the stock market.
- Six months of commission-free purchase of any additional stocks that the child may wish to buy for the portfolio.
- Lunch for two at Sam’s Grill
What is the best gift you can give yourself? A financially savvy child or grandchild. And how can you make sure that your children (or grandchildren) have the financial skills they will need to take care of you? By teaching them about proper investments and letting them practice while they’re still young.
Your grandchild, or perhaps your child or godchild, will be taught about the stock market with two in-depth visits to Sutter Securities brokerage firm. This lot will include two sessions at Sutter Securities in San Francisco:
During the first visit, the curious child will be given an extensive behind-the-scenes look at how a brokerage firm works. While you, the generous parents/grandparents, enjoy lunch at Sam’s Grill, the child will learn about stocks and bonds, the differences between public and private companies, why the stock market exists and how it works, and they will see a trading desk in operation. While an adult must be the custodian of this account, the child will participate in the opening of his/her own brokerage account that will include ten shares each of the common stock of ten companies listed above! For the first six months after opening the account, the child’s custodian may buy other stocks for the account commission-free. Please note that there will be a modest fee for selling stocks.
After six months, Bob will give the child a second hands-on session at Sutter Securities to review the portfolio. While you are dispatched for a leisurely lunch at Credo’s the child will receive a lesson in how and why his or her stocks performed the way they did during the six-month period.
Date: By mutual arrangement
Valid: Until September 19, 2011 Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Index
Lot 12: Turkey: Istanbul and the Turquoise Coast eight nights for six or fewer - Three nights in a first-class hotel in Istanbul
- Five nights aboard a private gulet
Fabulous scenery, azure waters, sailing, hiking, snorkeling, swimming…in a land rich in historical sites and ruins both above ground and below sea. Starting and ending in mystical Istanbul, the majority of this trip takes you along the beautiful Mediterranean coast of Turkey aboard a 65’ teakwood sloop with daily excursions inland. Aboard you will be pampered by the gulet’s chef who will serve mouth-watering al fresco repasts.
The first two nights of the trip will be in Istanbul, the fabled capital of Byzantium and home to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace, sights within easy walking distance of your boutique hotel which is in the bustling Sultanahmet district. After a busy day sightseeing and a late-afternoon private cruise up the Bosphorus, the next morning you fly to Antalya on the southern coast, a thriving town whose colorful farmers’ market in Old Town is worth a browse. (With an optional extension in Antalya, you could also visit ancient Phaselis and Olympos, hike to the eternal fires at Chimaera, and/or stop at Aspendos and the Greco-Roman city of Perge.)
For the next six days you will sail along the exquisite Turquoise Coast, nosying into bays and coves, viewing the sunken remains of a Byzantine settlement, and lunching with a local family at their home in a hillside village. You will surely be charmed by the local people, hospitable, outgoing, quick to smile, and honest. If you prefer, you may linger on board, soaking in the warm, translucent sea, sailboarding, swimming, or snorkeling.
The proposed itinerary includes an anchorage at Karaloz; time clambering around Myra’s Hellenistic ruins; anchoring in a wilderness cove at Gokkaya; hiking in to Simena, a timeless little village on Kekova Island accessible only from the sea; Ucagiz; Ic Ada; Aperleai; Kovan Adasi; the picturesque fishing village of Kas; Kalkan; Firazler; and finally Fethiye Bay. On the ninth day you fly from Dalaman to Istanbul for a final night back at the hotel.
Hayat güzel! (Life is beautiful)
Important details to note: - Your day-to-day gulet itinerary is flexible and at the discretion of your captain to allow for local conditions and the particular interests of your group. Unlike most others, this gulet can and will open sail at the discretion of the captain who will do his best to accommodate your desires
- Accommodations on board are three double-berth cabins, each with private bathroom
- The experienced multi-tasking crew of three includes your English-speaking Captain/gulet-owner, a chef and a steward
- On board are deck cushions, awnings, snorkeling gear, a windsurfer, dinghy with outboard motor, and rare for a gulet, a decompression chamber for scuba divers
Included: 3 nights’ hotel accommodations, breakfast & dinner at the Istanbul hotel; private gulet charter for 6 days/5 nights with full board; transfers to and from gulet in air-conditioned mini-buses.
Excluded: international airfare, flights to and from Antalya, guides, entrances to museums and sites; any airport and visa fees; customary gratuities; personal expenses. The Antalya flights, optional guide, and any anticipated transfer and entrance fees will be arranged with donor Idlewind Expeditions, a small Napa/Turkey family-owned and -operated company.
Optional: A TMT licensed leader/guide is a recommended optional addition. He or she will be fluent in English and amazingly knowledgeable, open to avalanches of questions on and off topic, and will organize minutiae such as entrance tickets. Any trip add-ins and date extensions (Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Cappadocia, more time in Antalya, more time at sea…) may also be organized with Idlewind Expeditions.
Date: By mutual arrangement and subject to availability
Valid: Until October 31, 2011
Bid now by proxy (PDF) Index
Lot 13: A Bistrot Luncheon with Jil Aigrot for eight or nine - Gourmet luncheon for eight or nine on Saturday, April 2, 2011
Special guest: French singer Jil Aigrot
Chef: Ken Frank of La Toque
Wine: French wines from the cellar of Margrit Biever Mondavi
Hosts: Joan and Steve Osburn - Eight or nine VIP tickets to Jil Aigrot in Concert at the NVOH on Saturday, April 2, 2011
You’ll think you’re there: on the Left Bank, in a luminous artist’s studio one minute, in a colorful Parisian café the next minute… Think café society, the era of art deco when salon conversation and debate held sway, when artists of all genres mingled with writers, politicians and philosophers in the vibrant Latin Quarter. On Saturday, April 2, 2011, you will, in fact, be in the Napa home of your hosts, Joan and Steve Osburn, there with French chanteuse Jil Aigrot for a bistrot luncheon prepared by Ken Frank, chef/owner of Michelin-starred La Toque.
At the stove in the open kitchen your award-winning francophone chef will prepare a delectable lunch featuring local seasonal specialties in tandem with fare from France, paired with exquisite French wines from the cellar of Margrit Biever Mondavi.
That evening, you will be our VIP guests for Jil’s concert at the Napa Valley Opera House.
Jil Aigrot is the extraordinary singer behind the scenes in the Oscar®- and Golden Globe®-winning film La Vie en Rose about the legendary French singer, Edith Piaf. In it, Aigrot's breathtaking voice transports her audience to a bygone Paris.
Luncheon Date: Saturday, April 2, 2011
Performance Date: Saturday, April 2, 2011
Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Index
Lot 14: The Glitter, the Glamour, the Game. The LA Lakers and meeting their #1FAN three nights for two - Three nights for two in a Deluxe Guestroom at the Montage Beverly Hills
- Two seats at a Lakers home game during the 2010/2011 regular season in a Staples Center luxury suite close to center court
- “Meet and Greet” with the Lakers’ #1 Celebrity Fan
- Lunch or dinner for two at Bouchon, Beverly Hills
The quintessential LA experience. Two lucky folks will attend a regular season home game of the NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers, rub shoulders with the stars, stay at the Montage, shop till they drop, and dine at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon, Beverly Hills.
Beverly Hills has long been synonymous with glamour since the world's first motion-picture stars favored it with their lavish Spanish Revival estates in the 1920s. This chic city is now known worldwide for its unrivalled concentration of couture and designer boutiques, fine art and antiques galleries, exclusive auction houses and must-dine restaurants.
Montage Beverly Hills pays tribute to both old-style Hollywood and modern day luxury. The exterior, designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style complements the rich history and tradition of Southern California’s most celebrated neighborhood. Through every facet, Montage Beverly Hills embodies the essence of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
What is a stay in Beverly Hills without a dinner at a see-and-be-seen restaurant? You’ll enjoy a fabulous meal at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon in Beverly Hills. Thomas Keller needs no introduction, of course, but he has a special fondness for his more casual restaurant in LA.
And to top it all off, you get the ultimate LA sports experience. You’ll find yourselves ensconced in a luxury box near center court, watching the NBA Champion LA Lakers. The suite furnishings are exceptional, with plush sofas and comfy club chairs. And, based on availability, you’ll get to meet the Lakers’ #1 fan—you know whom!
Really now, is there any doubt? Jack Nicholson has had courtside seats for more than three decades, both at the Forum and Staples Center. And Jack is the consummate fan — he harangues refs, talks with opposing coaches, trash talks with players and rarely misses a game. He shows up in opposing arenas when the Lakers have made The Finals. Directors reportedly need to work their shooting schedules around the Lakers playing schedule. He seldom misses a home game.
Luxury accommodations…a Thomas Keller meal…luxury seats for a Lakers game…and a chance to meet Jack Nicholson. It just doesn’t get any better than this!
Valid: Date of Lakers game will be known in late September. Hotel stay based on availability; includes tax. “Meet and Greet” with Jack Nicholson based on availability.
Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Index
Lot 15: My Kind of Town three nights for two- Three-nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago in a deluxe king room
- Dinner at Charlie Trotter’s with Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey Lewis
- Lunch or dinner at Rick Bayless’ Topolobambo or Frontera Grill
- Jazz or blues at one of Chicago’s premiere clubs
- Private tour of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Chicago Architecture Foundation Walking Tour
- Tickets to a live broadcast of “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!”
Formerly Carl Sandburg’s “hog butcher to the world”, Chicago no longer is “Second” to any city. Now you can appreciate all it has to offer — style, cuisine, culture, and nightlife. On this trip to the “City of Big Shoulders” you will stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in a deluxe king room. The hotel’s location is one of the best in Chicago, within walking distance to the Magnificent Mile shops, museums, and lakefront.
When one thinks of innovative chefs of world renown, Charlie Trotter is right there. You will be right there too, dining one evening at his intimate restaurant accompanied by no less than our Gala headliner, Ramsey Lewis, and his wife, Janet. Needing no introduction, Rick Bayless, owner/chef of Frontera Grill and Topolobambo, is held in the highest regard for taking Mexican and Central American cooking to culinary excellence — experience incomparable authentic regional flavors at either of his unique restaurants.
From cuisine to culture…no trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to the Art Institute, whose spectacular new Modern Wing makes it the country’s second largest museum. You will be treated to a private tour with a museum lecturer, focusing on your choice of artists, styles, movements, or titled topics.
A Chicago Architecture walking tour will take you up close to some of the most famous buildings in the world, led by an expert docent who will reveal the people and stories that have made Chicago the place for innovative architecture.
If your trip includes a Thursday night stay, be sure to attend the live taping of “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!”, NPR’s humorous weekly quiz program, which features some of the best personalities in the news and entertainment world. Check your calendar well in advance because sometimes the show is recorded in other cities.
And for the night owl in you, Chicago’s music scene is as hot and cool as its weather. Your trip will include an evening of either jazz or blues at one of Chicago’s best clubs.
Landmark buildings and art…world-famous cuisine and music…and Ramsey Lewis will make Chicago “Your Kind of Town”.
Date: By mutual arrangement and subject to availability
Valid: Through September 19, 2011 Bid now by proxy (PDF) Index
Lot 16: Funding our Needs Your generosity tonight will enable us to upgrade the theatre equipment and help restore our historic building to full glory. Funds raised from this lot will contribute to three hugely important areas:
Tech equipment: Projector, screens, splitters and mixers—equipment that sounds esoteric, but for the techies backstage these tools of the trade are vital: for attracting the finest performing artists; for fulfilling the requirements of programs like Talk Cinema; for bringing film festivals and premiere film screenings to the Napa Valley Opera House. Currently the Opera House must rent this equipment…if we owned it, the annual savings would be substantial.
Exterior Painting/Front Façade
Did you know the NVOH is on the National Register of Historic Places? Chipping, peeling and other time- and weather-related wear and tear have rendered the façade shabby. Help us restore the front of Main Street’s “crown jewel” by contributing to paint, labor and equipment costs needed to get the job done.
State-of-the-art Web site: Designed by professionals specializing in performing arts, our sorely-needed new web site would have the capacity to promote events, manage ticket sales and drive online sales not only to the Opera House but also to other local businesses where people dine, shop, and vacation -- helping our neighborhood thrive.
Our needs might not be sexy, but they are critical. Raise your paddles to help fund the future!
And because the Napa Valley Opera House is a 501(c) (3) organization, your contribution to Funding our Needs is fully tax deductible. Index
Lot 17: Taste of Oakville
Oakville has been known over the last three decades for some of the most distinctive wine brands/vineyards in the entire Napa Valley, with several wines rated above 95 by national critics like Parker and James Laube. This lot of twelve different Oakville Meritage blends and Cabernet Sauvignon is a collector’s dream.
- 750ml of Screaming Eagle, 2003
- 750ml of Dalla Valle Maya, 2002
- 1.5 liter of Harlan Estate, 2005
- 750ml of Harlan Estate, The Maiden, 1999
- 750ml of Maybach Family Vineyards, Materium, 2007
- 750ml of Paul Hobbs, To Kalon Vineyard, 2002
- 750ml of Groth Winery, Reserve, 2006
- 750ml of Swanson Vineyards, Alexis, 2005
- 750ml of Ghost Block, 2006
- 750ml of Robert Mondavi, Reserve, 1994
- 1.5 liter of Opus One, 1988
And topped off with a limited edition wine: - 3.0 liter of Oakville Cuvée, 2006.
A collaboration of the Oakville Winegrowers, many wineries and growers in the 60-member group contributed 5-gallon donations of just-pressed juice to this Cuvée crafted by winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett. Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Index
Lot 18: Cuba six nights for four - Six-night trip to Cuba accompanied by professional photographer Jock McDonald
- Round-trip airfare San Francisco-Cancun-Havana
- Visas for all travelers
- Two nights, double occupancy, at a deluxe hotel in Cancun (en route to and from Havana)
- Four nights, double occupancy, at Hotel National in Havana
- Local guides in Havana
This is almost too good to be true! The Opera House is near-and-dear to Jock McDonald's heart since he's the son of Veronica diRosa, she who saved the NVOH from total dereliction and demolition by spearheading the restoration effort in 1989. Jock, a professional photographer who has made numerous trips to Cuba, will personalize this “ insiders’ excursion” according to the four travelers’ desires. Included in the trip is round-trip airfare from San Francisco to Havana through Cancun, with one-month visas. (You can choose to stay on at your own expense without Jock.) After a night in Cancun, you will have four nights in Havana, the city of color, light, music, dancing, and art: a city in constant motion.
In the 1950s, Havana was a vacation hotspot in the Caribbean. Old Town Havana has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you enjoy the crumbling faded glory of the un-restored buildings or prefer the ones restored with new facelifts, you will be delighted by a city that was once considered as vibrant and important as Paris.
Accommodations in Havana will be at the magnificent Hotel National, which ranks among the world's most majestic hotels. Ride in "coco-taxis", cute two-seater, three-wheeled motorbikes to visit Habana Vieja where the main plazas are chock-full of museums and historic sights. Drink mojitos at La Floridita, Hemingway’s favorite Havana hangout. Visit Hemingway’s house in the outskirts of the city. Dine at the intimate and atmospheric Cuban Paladares. Spend an evening at the Tropicana, the original and still-reigning Queen of cabaret shows in Cuba. Explore the artist community of Havana. Take a day-trip to Pinar del Rio, where the best tobacco used for the more expensive cigar brands is grown. For whatever adventures you choose, a local guide is included. If you're interested in photography, what an educational experience it will be! No matter what you choose to do, Jock will make sure this personalized tour is the time of your life.
This trip is back by popular demand, after two groups last year found Cuba enchanting, exciting, and irresistible. “The place is from a different era. Havana’s faded beauty touches our hearts and makes us long to return.” “The Cuba trip gave us the gift of new friends. What a joy it was to get to know such wonderful people!” “Cuba is a place like no other. You enter a special world there…and leave with a new perspective.”
Date: By mutual arrangement and subject to availability
Valid: Until September 19, 2011 Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Index
Lot 19: Paella-Palooza for twenty - Dinner for 20
- Authentic paella prepared by Gerard’s Paella
- Patz & Hall wines
- Hosts: Barbara and John Witt
A perfect party for you and your friends, paella, wine and music in a fantastic setting: a Paella-Palooza!
Barbara and John Witt will be your hosts at Whitehall Station among the St. Helena vineyards. This rustic-contemporary property, sitting on 12 acres of horse pasture in the shadow of Mt. St. Jean, is the perfect setting for a party of twenty.
For this classic Spanish meal, Gerard’s Paella will delight your senses. Studded with red peppers, green beans and yellow lemon, it is as much a feast for the eyes and nose as it is for the palate. Particular about his visual presentation, Gerard makes sure each paella can be eaten ‘with the eyes first.’
Of course, the key ingredient is the chef himself. Somehow everything tastes better when Gerard is around, telling stories, doling out smiles and bear hugs beside the paella pan and fire.
But he will not be the only entertainment for the evening. Fabulous flamenco guitar music during dinner will provide the feast for the ears. And the celebrated artisan wines of Patz & Hall will provide the oenological harmony.
The sights, sounds, aromas, and tastes will bowl you over! It’s a Paella-Palooza!
Date: By mutual arrangement
Valid: Until September 19, 2011 Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Index
Lot 20: The Spoleto Festival in Charleston and The Inn at Palmetto Bluff six nights for two - Four nights at an upscale boutique hotel in downtown Charleston, SC
- Dinners at two of Charleston’s finest restaurants
- Breakfast or lunch at a popular local eatery
- $500 gift certificate for tickets to Spoleto Festival USA performance
- VIP parties
- Two nights at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff
Culture, Southern hospitality, and luxury are combined in this popular lot.
For four nights, from May 27 to June 12, 2011, you will stay at a lovely boutique hotel in downtown Charleston. You will be treated to dinners at two of Charleston’s finest restaurants and lunch at a popular local eatery. You will also receive a $500 gift certificate for tickets to the Spoleto Festival USA performances of your choice and access to the festival’s Patron Services Manager to place your ticket order (the festival performance brochure will be mailed to you in early January 2011). You will be VIPs, attending exclusive parties in the private homes of Spoleto patrons, board members and artists. (The hotel and restaurants are to be determined by Spoleto Festival USA.)
After the cultural and social whirlwind of the Spoleto Festival USA, you will be ready to relax and pamper yourself for a few days at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff in Blufton, SC. Situated in the picturesque Low Country along the beautiful May River, the resort is the embodiment of all that is graceful, comforting and romantic about South Carolina. It was selected by Travel and Leisure’s 2010 Best Awards as the #1 Hotel Spa in the US and Canada. For the avid golfer, the May River Golf Club’s 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature course is a journey to nirvana.
“Attending Spoleto Festival USA is like sitting down to a banquet in one of the most gracious dining rooms in the world.” – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you enjoy opera, theater, dance, music, beautiful settings and pampered luxury, this trip to South Carolina has it ALL!
Date: May 27 to June 12, 2011 during the Spoleto Festival. Your stay at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff Resort may be before or after the Spoleto Festival, subject to availability. Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Index
 Lot 21: A Splendid Evening at the Duckhorn Estate House for twelve - An elegant evening for twelve at the Duckhorn Estate House
Gourmet dinner prepared by Feast Catering
Wines from the Duckhorn-owned wineries
Music by Brian Nova and his jazz Trio
Good things come in threes for this delightful lot. Duckhorn, Schramsburg and Feast join forces to provide a trio of wine and food delights. And a fabulous jazz trio provides entertainment that will keep you swinging for days.
Your evening for 12 people will take place at the beautiful Duckhorn Estate House in St. Helena. It will start with the popping of the cork on some sparkling wines by Schramsburg. While you’re sipping your Schramsburg and enjoying hors d’oeuvres by Feast Catering, you’ll also get a taste of some really fine jazz.
To get things swinging, renowned guitarist and singer Brian Nova and his jazz Trio will uncork “a series of tasty, understated workouts on a repertoire of jazz standards and bossa nova classics.” (Joseph Blake, Jazz Steps)
Brian Nova’s jazz guitar combines a rare mixture of lightning-speed fretwork and beautiful melodies throughout his performances and recordings. He has the distinction of being the only guitarist who was mentored by, and toured with, the two titans of jazz guitar: Herb Ellis and Joe Pass. And he adds eloquent vocals to his artistry reminiscent of Nat Cole and the hip style of Frank Sinatra.
Dinner will follow, prepared by the talented chefs of Feast. Each mouth-watering course will be paired with selected wines from the Duckhorn-owned wineries – Goldeneye, Paraduxx, and Duckhorn.
With a triple play of fabulous food paired with fine wine paired with brilliant jazz, you are sure to enjoy this feast for the body and soul.
Date: By mutual arrangement
Valid: Until September 20, 2011 Bid now by proxy (PDF) Index
Lot 22: A Man. A Plan. A Canal. Panama Canal Voyage eleven nights for two - Panama Canal voyage on the beautiful, six-star Crystal Symphony, sailing March 6 - 17, 2011 from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica to Miami
- All-day stops at ports of call in Aruba, St. Martin, St. Barts and Tortola
- Accommodations in a Category A deluxe stateroom with verandah
- $1,000 shipboard spending credit
- Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870 - 1914, by David McCullough
Among the great peaceful endeavors of mankind, the construction of the Panama Canal stands as an awe-inspiring achievement of engineering and vision. This link between two great oceans changed the world. Traveling through it just might change the way you look at the world as well. It belongs on your list of “must-see” destinations.
Here’s how to see it in style: from your private verandah aboard one of the top cruise ships in the world. A beautifully-appointed ship with a passenger capacity of only 922 guests, the Crystal Symphony is one of the most spacious cruise ships at sea and one of Condé Nast Traveler’s best ships in the world. You will enjoy this adventure in a deluxe (Category A) stateroom with luxurious amenities (a feather bed, plush duvets, Frette terry cloth robes, for starters) and a private verandah.
Departing Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, the newly renovated Crystal Symphony enters the canal from the west. Fitting in the six massive locks with inches to spare, the ship is lifted and lowered 85 feet during the eight hours it takes to get from the Pacific to the Atlantic. (At Gatun Locks, 53 million gallons of water from Gatun Lake raises the ship, using only gravity to fill the massive lock. The feat is mind-boggling!) The entire Panama Canal transit is a fascinating journey through time and technology. You will see lush tropical rainforests while experiencing the thrill of one of the engineering wonders of the world. David McCullough’s book, Path Between the Seas, will help you fully appreciate the history and background of this wonderful adventure.
And that’s not all! After leaving the canal, you will explore the highlights of the Caribbean. You’ll spend an entire day at four of the most popular Caribbean ports of call, Aruba, St. Martin, St. Barts and Tortola before putting in at Miami on March 17.
With a $1,000 shipboard credit to spend as you wish, you may indulge in spa treatments, fine wines, a Vintage Room experience, gratuities for your favorite waiter, or something special from the boutiques.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy on board, in the spa or fitness center, or in the theater, casino or lounges. On this trip, there are guest speakers as well. You can enrich your understanding of current world affairs through on-board lectures by Major General Perry Smith (U.S. Air Force (retired), teacher, TV and radio commentator and author) and Dinesh D’Souza (described as one of the "top young public-policy makers in the country" by Investor’s Business Daily and author of several best-selling books).
Crystal Cruise luxury. Wonders of the World adventure. Tropical rainforest and the Caribbean. History, nature, culture, and romance. What a perfect opportunity to visit one of those “must-see” places in the world! A man. A plan. A canal: Panama.
Date: March 6, 2011 - March 17, 2011
Valid: Only on March 6, 2011 - March 17, 2011 cruise. No substitutions. Bid now by proxy (PDF)
Index
Lot 23: Last Chance Taverna for fourteen - A festive Greek dinner for fourteen in your own home
Traditional feast prepared by Mihalis Hionas
Wines from Kokkari Estiatorio
Live entertainment (guitar and ba?lama) by Mihalis Hionas
One of the most popular lots featured in our Gala has been the Greek dinner party with Milhalis Hionas, with the fabulous Greek dishes, fine Greek wines, and marvelous Greek music. This may be the last year we can offer this lot, so it could be your LAST CHANCE to bring the delights of a Greek taverna into your home.
Mihalis Hionas will effectively transport your home to the island of Santorini, where he is a famed chef and lead musician at his own popular taverna. Having done this for several years for the Opera House (did we mention that this may be his LAST year?), Mihalis Hionas is already familiar with the Bay Area’s purveyors of everything necessary for a delectable Greek banquet. He will delight you with delicious country cooking for a group of fourteen people. As you enjoy the wonderful Greek food specially prepared for you, the LAST CHANCE Taverna will be pouring a special selection of Greece’s best wines from the cellars of Kokkari Estiatorio, one of the finest Greek-inspired restaurants in America.
Of course, no Greek party is complete without live music. When not in the kitchen, Mihalis will take out his guitar and balama to sing and play toe-tapping taverna songs and Greek blues. Be ready to dance the night away. Opa!
Oh, and by the way, this could be your LAST CHANCE to enjoy this fabulous Greek dinner party. Don’t miss out!
Date: By mutual arrangement
Valid: January or February 2011 Bid now by proxy (PDF) Index
Lot 24: Two Hot Nights with A Cool Jazz Duo for eight or nine - A lively evening for eight or nine on Thursday, March 10, 2011
Special Guests: World-renowned jazz artists John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey
Chef: Stephen Barber of Fish Story
Wines: Patz & Hall
Hosts: Betsy and Steven Moulds - Eight VIP tickets to Pizzarelli and Molaskey performance, “Lost and Found” at the NVOH on Friday, March 11, 2011
What could be better than an evening of great food and great wine in a great setting? How about actually getting to meet fabulous jazz artists John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey? Spend a swinging evening with these great musicians on Thursday, March 10, 2011, and then enjoy their wonderful performance at the Napa Valley Opera House the following night.
John Pizzarelli, world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer, was called “Hip with a wink” by Town & Country and “madly creative” by the Los Angeles Times. With wit and musical savvy, Mr. Pizzarelli's jazz guitar and crooning and Ms. Molaskey's theatrical jazz singing fuse into something that's greater than the sum of its parts. They are bringing to Napa Valley their Café Carlyle show, "Lost and Found", which includes renditions of everyone from Duke Ellington to Joni Mitchell.
Acclaimed chef, Stephen Barber of Fish Story, will prepare a superb dinner at the lovely home of Betsy and Steven Moulds overlooking their vineyard among Napa’s rolling western hills. Fish Story is Lark Creek Restaurant Group’s first entry into the Napa Valley dining scene, offering sustainable, seasonal, ocean-fresh seafood. Included on the wide-ranging menu are live Dungeness crab and live Maine lobster in salt-water tanks, fresh fish and shellfish, all sourced in accordance with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program.
The wines served will be from Patz & Hall. Established in 1988, Patz & Hall embodies the shared vision and collective expertise of four talented friends - Donald Patz, James Hall, Anne Moses and Heather Patz. Together, this dedicated team has turned a desire to craft benchmark, single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs into one of California's most celebrated artisan wineries.
The mood will be jazz. The dinner will be Fish Story. The wines will be Patz & Hall. The memories will be yours.
Dinner Date: Thursday, March 10, 2011
Performance Date: Friday, March 11, 2011
Donors: John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey, Fish Story, Patz & Hall, Betsy and Steven Moulds, Napa Valley Opera House Bid now by proxy (PDF) Index |
