The Denver Art Museum will celebrate Cathey McClain Finlon’s four decades of outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the Denver Art Museum at its 34th annual Collectors’ Choice fundraising gala on December 11. The elegant event is one of the museum’s largest fundraisers. This year’s funds will support the museum’s fall exhibition, “Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century”.

As one of Denver’s visionary thinkers, McClain Finlon has brought her brand of insight to the Denver Art Museum board of trustees for the past 20 years, most recently leading the charge to unite the museum’s campus with a transformative new administrative building. McClain Finlon’s relationship with the museum started when she served as its first development director. She proceeded to build one of the top 50 advertising agencies in the country and returned as the museum’s president from 2009 to 2013 to guide a successful leadership transition.

McClain Finlon’s philanthropy extends beyond the museum to many community organizations where she has served on leadership boards including Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Denver Public Schools Foundation, Junior Achievement, University of Denver Daniels College of Business, Colorado Outward Bound School and American Association of Advertising Agencies. In recognition of her tremendous contributions to the Denver community and business sectors, Cathey was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame and received the prestigious Leader Award from the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts.

Event co-chairs are Jane and Fred Hamilton and Ann and Kevin Reidy. Gala tables start at $10,000 and pairs of seats start at $2,500. Interested parties should contact Gravely Wilson at gwilson@denverartmuseum.org or at 720-913-0034.

Communications Coordinator
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

Call it throwback Wednesday for a cause.

The July 30 concert to benefit the Colorado Freedom Memorial features some musical oldies but goodies including Peter Asher of Peter & Gordon, Terry Sylvester of the Hollies and Denny Laine of the Moody Blues and Wings will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the British Invasion.

The British Invasion concert to benefit the Colorado Freedom Memorial takes place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. July 30 at the Centennial Amphitheater at Centennial Center Park. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and tickets can be purchased at www.modtickets.com. Kid’s tickets are $10, general admission tickets are $25 and VIP tickets, which include a meet and greet with the artists immediately following the concert are $100. Proceeds from all ticket sales will be donated to the Colorado Freedom Memorial. Centennial Center park is located at 13050 E Peakview Ave. in Englewood.

The Colorado Freedom Memorial honors every fallen Colorado military veteran by name, from every branch of service and every conflict dating back to the Spanish American War in 1896.  The Memorial, which is located in Aurora, is made up of glass panels on which nearly 6,000 Colorado heroes are honored.

Ahser, host of the British Invasion (50 Years On) concert, returns to Colorado nearly 50 years to the day after Peter & Gordon made their Denver debut at one of Red Rocks’ earliest rock and roll shows on July 23, 1964.

Laine brings to the stage his worldwide hits from his days in Wings with Paul McCartney: “Jet,” “Band on the Run,” “Time to Hide,” “Let Me Roll It,” “Live and Let Die,” as well as his top 10 song with the Moody Blues, “Go Now.”

Sylvester opened for the Beatles at the Cavern, toured the world with the Swinging Blue Jeans on the strength of their hit “Hippy-Hippy Shake, and replaced Graham Nash in the Hollies. With 23 U.S. chart hits, The Hollies moved a generation with a catalog of songs laced with their vocal harmonies such as “The Air That I Breathe.” “He Ain’t Heavy-He’s My Brother” and “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress.” Sylvester was the fifth Liverpool native inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, on March 15, 2010, as a member of the Hollies.

The evening also will feature a performance by L.A. recording artist and Colorado native Mollie Weaver with Rick Cowling (Kenny Loggins and Ambrosia).

For more information on the Colorado Freedom Memorial or the British Invasion concert, visit www.CFMF.net, or find the Colorado Freedom Memorial on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ColoradoFreedomMemorial.

Grab your berets to celebrate France’s Bastille Day during an evening of French food and wine from some of Denver’s Frenchie-est eateries and caterers, along with music and dancing to support the cultural programming of the Alliance Francaise de Denver from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St.

Tickets are $60 in advance and $70 at the door for Alliance Francaise de Denver members; $70 advance and $80 at the door for non-members. Free parking is available. The soiree will take place rain or shine in a tented venue. Buy tickets at www.afdenver.org. More information: 303-831-0304.

The 44th annual Cherry Creek North Sidewalk Sale bursts with bargains from area boutiques Thurday through Sunday.

Shoponistas, start your credit cards. It’s almost time to hit the pavement for the hottest deals in town. The 44th Annual Sidewalk Sale will feature dynamite deals from nearly 80 Cherry Creek North boutiques and businesses.

Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Hours may vary by store.

Cherry Creek North will partner with Dress for Success Denver this year. The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

For a map of participating retailers, go to http://cherrycreeknorth.com/events/info/shopping-sidewalk-sale. Participants not listed on the map: Whole Foods Market Cherry Creek, La Piccola Venezia, Scented Studio, Polished Nail Boutique.

When radio and TV personality Denise Plante reported for the KOSI 101.1 airwaves last week, her outfit of choice sent some friendly guffaws throughout the radio station.

Plante, whose other job is as host of Colorado & Company (10 to 11 a.m. on 9News), donned a black-and-white stripped jacket, which reminded her KOSI colleagues of the title character in “Beatlejuice,” the 1988 movie starring Michael Keaton.

“If I didn’t get teased at the station daily about something, I would think something was wrong!  We truly are like family,” Plante said.

Eavesdropping on a man’s Facebook post: “The population of Alaska has changed. There are now two men for every woman, and two reality TV crews for every man.”

“Project Runway All-Stars” winner, celebrity designer and Denver dweller Mondo Guerra will attend and feature a fashion collection designed exclusively for Urban Nights on Aug. 1 at Mile High Station. He will join a roster of other designers and upscale boutiques for Colorado’s largest runway show.

“Having Mondo join our cast of designers is a coup for us,” said event co-chair Justin Joseph. “Mondo continues to use his cache as a celebrity designer to support local causes, and there is no more worthy of a cause than the crisis of youth homelessness in Denver. Our guests should prepare to have their minds blown by the collection he is exclusively designing for Urban Nights.”

Guerra will design an exclusive avant garde collection inspired by the artwork designed by youth facing homelessness who have sought assistance from Urban Peak. That same artwork will be auctioned off at Urban Nights.

“I am designing an exclusive collection to showcase the important work of Urban Peak and the need to help the too many kids who are sleeping on the streets of Denver every night. These kids’ artwork inspired me, and they are the reason I decided to join the Urban Nights runway,” Guerra said.

Infiniti of Denver is the event’s presenting sponsor.

“Amy and Chris Smith, along with Dave Cook, have been instrumental to Urban Nights’ success from the beginning. Their commitment to the community is second to none, and their further support of Urban Nights and the youth of Urban Peak exemplifies the generosity of the Infiniti of Denver team,” said Jeff Joseph, co-chair of Urban Nights 2014.

The 200-foot runway is Colorado’s longest, and this year will feature stunning fashions from the following designers and boutiques:

Mondo Guerra www.mondoguerra.com

50 Dresses www.50dresses.com

Andreas Tsagas www.atsagasfursandleather.com

/Baskit/ www.baskitwear.com

Gabriela Martinez www.denverclothingdesign.com

Goldyn www.shopgoldyn.com

Infatué www.infatueclothing.com

Infernal Contraptions by Karen Holloway https://www.etsy.com/shop/InfernalContraptions

Multiblazer www.multiblazer.com

Pure Addiction www.shoppureaddiction.com

Pink’s, Straight From L.A. www.pinksdenver.com

Soigneé Elegant Attire www.soigneeattire.com

Steadbrook www.steadbrook.com

“This year’s fashion presentation will showcase an exciting group of local fashion designers and high-end boutiques,” said Dahlia Weinstein, Urban Nights fashion show producer. “Segments featuring one-of-a-kind designs and international designer labels offer something for everyone attending this cutting-edge fashion show.”

Tickets on sale at www.urbannightsdenver.org and all proceeds will go to Urban Peak.

More than 900 young people sleep on the streets of Denver on any given night, and last year, Urban Nights raised more than $150,000 to help fight this epidemic.

Chuck Morris, President of AEG Live Rocky Mountains, will be the recipient of this year’s Urban Legend Award. When he’s not busy promoting Denver’s next must-see event, Morris is known for his philanthropic work supporting worthwhile charities including the Denver Health Foundation.

In addition to the silent auction that will feature artwork from Urban Peak youth, the night will conclude with a performance by “Glee” star Charice.

The VIP party and silent auction begin at 6 p.m. and doors open for general admission at 7 p.m. The program and fashion show kick off at 8 p.m. and will be followed by Charice’s performance and an after party beginning at 11 p.m. 

(MondoGuerra.com photo)

Vail and CBS4 are hosting an open casting call for the hit CBS series “Survivor,” on Aug. 16 – right in the heart of downtown Vail. Camera crews will be on hand to capture each potential contestant’s best 60 seconds on video – ‘Why I Should Be on Survivor,’ so there’s no need to bring a tape.

Guarantee your spot for a casting call by registering at http://denver.cbslocal.com/survivorvailcastingcall14/. By registering you will have the chance to participate in the open call. Further information will be sent to you on or around Aug. 1.

If you’d like to spend audition weekend in Vail, keep checking the website for more information and special Survivor Open Call room rates. Make sure you are eligible to audition by reviewing the requirements listed on the website. Save time at auditions by bringing a completed video release and waiver.

The Wheat Ridge Business Association will host the second annual Feed the Future Summer Gala from 5 to 8 p.m. July 20 at Teller Street Gallery, 7190 W. 38th Ave. The event will feature food, wine, live music and a variety of door prizes.

The gala raises funds for the Feed the Future Backpack Program, which provides food items to students in eight local elementary schools, who receive free or reduced-cost lunch. The Arvada Food Bank provides the food and each week, volunteers package the items with the goal of supplying students with extra meals when they might otherwise go hungry. Participating children receive two breakfast and two lunch items, two snacks, fruit and vegetables.

The program, which costs roughly $3,000 per month, benefits 300 children each week during the school year.

“This is the one program that has brought businesses, churches, elected officials, schools, residents and other non-profit organizations together in support of our children. We have become the ‘village’ for our children,” said Loretta DiTirro, president of the Wheat Ridge Business Association. “If just one child benefits, we have succeeded.”

Tickets are $35 each and may be purchased at www.wheatridgebiz.com or by mailing a check to the Wheat Ridge Business Association,  P.O. Box 1231, Wheat Ridge, 80034-1231.

Donations to the Feed the Future program can also be made on-line or via mail.