Update 2/27/08: Added photo of the Touch My HeART committee.
Touch My HeART, the annual fundraiser for the Museums of Los Gatos usually attracts a who's who of Los Gatos, a town filled with artists and art supporters. This year's event coincided with a night of wind and rain, but everyone came anyway and the party was fabulous.
Over 200 artists, volunteers, and paid attendees crowded into the Art Museum at 4 Tait for an evening of food, wine, music, and art. New this year: Local artists created nearly 300 pieces of small art and everyone could choose one piece to take home.
The patio was enclosed by a tent with hot air blowing in from somewhere and rain dripping every so often at the connection to the museum, but it didn't matter. Everyone stayed dry; the food, catered by Pat Smith's Extravaganza, was marvelous; and everyone had a last glimpse of one of the Tait's most successful exhibits: the large scale object paintings of Gordon Smedt, who was on hand to answer questions.
Attendees were greeted by Morning Rotary Club President Tim Lundell in tuxedo at the door and his wife, Arts Commission Chair Penelope O'Neill, welcomed everyone to the event.
The Cool Cats of the Morning Rotary sponsor Jazz on the Plazz, the series of free summer jazz concerts at the Town Plaza, and jazz master of ceremonies Michael Jacobi was on hand to announce a new partnership between the Museums of Los Gatos and Jazz on the Plazz.
"Once again this summer, we are bringing to our little town the finest jazz performers on the planet," Jazz on the Plazz organizer Teri Hope told the crowd. This year's lineup includes "jazz hunk" Nestor Torres. There will be a private party for jazz lovers this August at La Estancia, the estate of Larry Arzie and David Stonesifer.
Michael Jacobi announced the new slogan: "Jazz tonight...jazz tomorrow," refering to a scholarship for young jazz performers that is kicking off this year. In April, jazz appreciation month, San Jose Jazz teachers will hold a master workshop at the Tait Museum for talented young people.
Three of five councilmembers attended: Mayor Barbara and Ira Spector, Vice Mayor Mike and Kim Wasserman, and Joe and Pamela Pirzynski. Mike Wasserman was the evening's master of ceremonies. Planning Commission Chair Joanne Talesfore was there with her husband, Nick, and Vice Chair D. Michael Kane cut an elegant figure (as usual). Historic Preservation Committee member Len Pacheco and Arts Commissioner Valerie Hopkins were glimpsed across the crowded room, as well.
Rick and Julie DiNapoli, Edelen Ave. neighbors of the mayor, were there--Julie is the Club Secretary of the Morning Rotary. Stephanie Matthews, Dan Turkus, new Executive Director Elke Groves, and former director Laura Bajuk and her husband Douglas Debs, all managed to avoid the camera.
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