2019 KICK-OFF PARTY

Thursday, November 21st, 2019, marked L’Esprit de Noël’s second annual Kick-Off Party: “’Twas the Night Before.” Held at Design Wright Studios in RiNo, the evening began with an invite-only Central City Opera Guild Patron Party from 5-7pm, featuring music by DJ Digital Native, wine from Infinite Monkey Theorem, and a taco/tostada bar grilled up by Comida.

Twas the Night Before - Expert Panelists

At 7pm, the ticketed event began.* In addition to DJ Digital Native, guests were also treated to a performance by vocalist/accordionist Alicia Baker-Straka, who not only performed classic opera, but a little Lizzo as well. Throughout the evening, guests were invited to create their own holiday floral creation provided by one of the tour’s floral designers, Birdsall & Co., and CBS4’s Lauren Whitney hosted a holiday Q&A session with expert panelists Mary Wright (Design Wright Studios), Morgan Huston (Birdsall & Co.), Michelle Rasul (Gateaux Bakery) and Kerri Cole (Home Stylist).

At the end of the night, guests were given goodie bags that included a holiday cookie from Gateaux Bakery and a Holiday Entertaining Guide featuring recipes for holiday treats and drinks, as well as a holiday playlist and centerpiece shortcuts for a festive holiday tablescape.

Attendees included kick-off event chair Jess Knauf and L’Esprit co-chair Lauren Horsman, as well as L’Esprit committee members Denise Sanderson, Margaret Baker, Vick McFarlane, Suzie Erzinger, Katie Grassby, and Guild President Karen Ritz. CCO Artistic/General Director Pat Pearce was joined by staffers Jenaveve Linabary, Katie Nicholson, Jeremy Schwartz, Erin Osovets, Clare Mail, Margaret Siegrist and Melissa Rick. Other guests included Gold Sponsor Barbara Ferguson, Board of Directors Chairman Judy Grant and Past Chairman Nancy Parker, and L’Esprit Home Tour designers Doug Parsons of White Peacock and BJ Dyer of Bouquets.

*Tickets were $50 and included entry to the home tour (a $30 value).