The Helena Symphony’s annual winter ‘fun’raiser “Smoke and Mirrors” takes place Saturday, January 21, 2012 at the Red Fox Club House, Fox Ridge Golf Course 4050 Lake Helena Drive. At 5:30PM the event opens to those wishing to partake of a scotch and cigar (outside on the patio), with the gourmet buffet dinner and auction beginning at 6:30P.M.
Affectionately entitled, “Smoke and Mirrors” this promises to be a fun- filled evening with a gourmet dinner buffet, spectacular artwork from some of Helena’s leading artists, as well as other, tempting live auction items. “We had the mirror idea last year” reports executive director Russ Martin, “and then thought; why not make this into something a bit different from traditional symphony fundraisers?” “Smoke and Mirrors is admittedly a tongue-in-cheek description of what promises to be a fun, friendly, unique Helena, Montana evening” Martin says.
Twelve of Helena’s most renowned and popular artists including Doug Turman, Joan Bousliman, Len Eckel, Maureen White, R. F. Morgan, Jim Stevens, Poo Putsch, Michael Haykin, Louis Archambault, Dale Livezey, Josh Elliott and Moffie Funk have designed a stunning array of mirror frames with the mirrors, to be auctioned live at the event by local auctioneer, Steve Mandeville. Each mirror is a unique expression of the artists’ personality and talent and will be available for public viewing prior to the event in window of the U.S. Bank on Last Chance Gulch.
In addition to the spectacular mirrors, other auction items include two packages of fine dining in Helena with six restaurants in each package; overnight accommodations at the Huntley Lodge in Big Sky plus lift tickets for two; Guided fishing trip on the Missouri River with Nord Johnson plus hand-tied flies by Dr. Michael Agee; a wonderful weekend for two in Spokane, WA; a one night stay plus fabulous dinner at the historic Sacagawea Inn in Three Forks; a unique and personal “Meet the Winemaker” wine tasting tour of the Walla Walla Valley’s premier wine region with Helena Symphony executive director (and former Walla Walla Symphony executive) and wine aficionado, Russ Martin; an extended weekend including three nights lodging on the 6th Fairway at Meadow Lake Golf Course in Columbia Falls; a Cigar/Cognac basket, a one –of- a- kind antique commode and finally, the ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to conduct the Helena Symphony with lessons from Maestro Allan R. Scott!!
The evening begins at 5:30 PM with cocktails (and optional cigar!) at the Red Fox Supper Club with a delicious gourmet buffet at 6:30 PM. The Red Fox has planned a gourmet buffet of Baron of Beef, Pork Loin with Apricot Mustard Sauce or Burgundy Mushroom Chicken with tossed green salad or Spinach Salad with pears, walnuts and Bleu Cheese; green beans with onions, bacon and parmesan cheese, apricot carrots; baby red potatoes or wild rice pilaf, and carrot cake for dessert.
‘Smoke and Mirrors’ is the third annual winter fund raising event for the symphony. It promises to be a fun evening taking you back to the days of ‘speak easies’ when drinks, cigars, and smoke-filled rooms played a major part of an evening on the town!
Tickets are $60.00 each and are available at the Helena Symphony office at 48 Hibbard Way, by phone at 406- 442-1860 or online at www.helenasymphony.org.