Portland, OR. Portland Japanese Garden Board of Trustees President, Robert Zagunis and his wife, Deborah hosted three famous Japanese geishas for special luncheon at their Lake Oswego home. The benefit luncheon on September 4th, honored the authentic geishas from Kyoto, Japan. (Photo credit, Jonathan Ley)
Bee de Weese and Doug de Weese visit with a geisha in Lake Oswego.
The gathering in Lake Oswego begins at the Zagunis home where one geiko (Kyoto term for geisha) and two maiko (geisha in training) greet guests and posed for photographs.
A geisha is a woman highly trained in the arts of music, dance and entertainment. Geisha is Japanese for “person of art.” She spends many years learning to play various musical instruments, sing, dance and be the perfect hostess. Miehina, Kanako, and Konami performed, “Geisha: Unraveling the Art and Mystery” later that evening to a sold-out crowd at Portland Japanese Garden. The trio performed traditional dance and music, answered questions, and played classic geisha games with the public.
Miehina (geiko), who is pictured in the center in the green kimono, was born in Kyoto and is considered a “star” there. She is hired throughout Japan for her dancing and shamisen (three-stringed traditional instrument) music skills.
Portland Japanese Garden Board of Trustees President, Robert Zagunis plays traditional Japanese game with geisha.
The dance of the geisha is a subtle, stylized, and controlled form of dance. It is extremely disciplined, similar to t’ai chi. Every dance uses gestures to tell a story.
Portland Japanese Garden’s goal has been to offer intimate gatherings for first-hand interaction with geisha to learn more about their history and something of the geisha’s ethos beyond garments and accessories. The aim was to make all of the geisha events not only educational, but also cultural as well as artistic to bring out the best of what geisha culture and traditions have to offer our refined audience in Portland.
The Japan Foundation in Los Angeles, along with geisha expert Peter MacIntosh and Lucy Birmingham, approached Portland Japanese Garden with the idea of bringing the geisha from Kyoto to the United States, for a series of cultural events across the West Coast. For their inaugural program, the geishas are traveling from Portland to Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and Pasadena.
From the Portland Japanese Garden:
Portland Japanese Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1963 as a place for cross-cultural understanding following World War II. Since opening year-round to visitors in 1967, Portland Japanese Garden has become a global destination for Japanese art, nature, and peace in Portland, Oregon. It is considered the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan and the foremost Japanese cultural organization in North America.
Portland, OR. Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington presented its 2019 Marie Lamfrom Women of Distinction awards to Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw and Carmen Rubio, executive director of Latino Network. The women were honored during a luncheon at the Downtown Hilton on September 24th. The event raised a record-breaking $180,000 for girl leadership programming in Oregon and SW Washington. Outlaw and Rubio are being recognized for “demonstrating courageous leadership, serving as role models for girls and women, and working to make the world a better place,” according to the Girl Scouts. (Photo credit, Andrea Lonas)
Past and current honorees, Dr. Melody Rose, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, Justice Adrienne Nelson, Governor Barbara Roberts, Barbara Alberty, Chief Danielle Outlaw, Carmen Rubio, Victoria Lara and DJ Wilson
“Chief Danielle Outlaw and Carmen Rubio exemplify just what Girl Scouts hopes to inspire in all girls: the courage to take action, make a difference and be the leaders our world requires. We’re pleased to recognize these extraordinary women,” said Karen Hill, chief executive officer for Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington. Past honorees of the award include Gov. Barbara Roberts, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Oregon Supreme Court Judge Adrienne Nelson.
Harlan Levy, Andrew Tweedie, past board member Tracy Curtis, Hugh Harris, Jason Lim and Chabre Vickers
Cheryl Brendle, Patti Moller, Katherine Phillips, Francine Read and Board Member Jane Drew
Chief Wanner, Chief Burgard, Chief Morrisey and District Attorney Rod Underhill
“It is deeply humbling to be recognized as a role model for girls and young women by an organization that is helping build many of the leaders of tomorrow,” Outlaw said.
Outlaw was sworn in as Portland’s police chief on Oct. 2, 2017, becoming the first African American woman to lead the city police force, after spending 19 years with Oakland Police Department.
Rubio joined Latino Network as its executive director in 2009, working to advance the Latino community in education, leadership, and civic engagement in Oregon. During her tenure, the group’s staff has grown from less than 10 to 115, working out of three offices in Portland, Gresham, and Hillsboro.
Rubio said, “The values I carry for myself as a leader truly align with the mission of Girl Scouts – to lift up the confidence and courage of our young leaders so that they can help make our communities thrive.”
The award is named in honor of Marie Lamfrom, who served as a troop leader for a special needs troop at Shriners Hospitals in Portland for 35 years. She served on the Girl Scout council’s board of directors and received the highest award a Girl Scout adult can receive, the Thanks Badge. Lamfrom co-founded the company that would become Columbia Sportswear.
We’re 2.5 million strong—more than 1.7 million girls and 750,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world.
Our extraordinary journey began more than 100 years ago with the original G.I.R.L., Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low. On March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, she organized the very first Girl Scout troop, and every year since, we’ve honored her vision and legacy, building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success.
Portland, OR. More than 350 supporters joined forces for Portland Opera’s Flora + Fauna Fall. The September 14th benefit, at the Sentinel Hotel featured a performance by Broadway star Sutton Foster. Portland Opera raised over $1 million dollars. Organizers say proceeds from the Flora + Fauna Fall Ball will strengthen Portland Opera’s ability to serve audiences throughout the region, by supporting operational costs as well as special programming and projects. (Photo credit, Garrett Downen)
Flora + Fauna Fall Ball Entertainment Sponsor Ellyn Bye and guests arrive at the Sentinel Hotel. Photo by Garrett Downen/Portland Opera.
Originally scheduled to take place at the Portland Art Museum, the event venue was changed to the Sentinel Hotel just over a week prior to the event after part of the ceiling in the Art Museum’s Kridel Grand Ballroom collapsed.
Christine Richardson, Portland Opera’s Costume Director, and Ruth Poindexter, former Portland Opera Board of Directors member during the Welcome Reception of the Flora + Fauna Fall Ball. Photo by Garrett Downen/Portland Opera.
Flora + Fauna Fall Ball Entertainment Sponsor Dorothy Piacentini poses for photos with family and friends. Botanica Floral Design and Anthropologie designed an immersive lounge and portrait studio in the Sentinel’s Library. Gia Goodrich of VEV Studios directed and photographed portraits for guests.
Flora + Fauna Fall Ball co-chairs Bill Sweat and Donna Morris, proprietors of Winderlea Vineyard and Winery, pose in the Portrait Lounge. After the event, they released a thank you message. “On behalf of the board of directors and the Flora + Fauna Fall Ball gala committee, we are so grateful to everyone who came together to make this event such a success for Portland Opera.” Photo by Gia Goodrich.
Mistress of Ceremonies Poison Waters enlivens the festivities.
Guests bid on auction items during the Flora + Fauna Fall Ball.
Sue Dixon, Portland Opera’s interim general director, welcomes guests to the Flora + Fauna Fall Ball. Photo by Garrett Downen/Portland Opera.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of our community who came together to support Portland Opera as we embark on this next chapter,” said Sue Dixon, Portland Opera’s interim general director. “Portland’s civic pride was on display this weekend, as was the importance of opera to this community.”
Governor Kate Brown and First Gentleman Dan Little, Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, and Brian Rogers, executive director of the Oregon Arts Commission, were among the honored guests. Platinum entertainment sponsors included: Joanne M. Lilley; Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer, Directors of The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation; Ellyn Bye and Dream Envision Foundation; and Dorothy Piacentini. Bill Sweat and Donna Morris, Proprietors of Winderlea Vineyard and Winery, served as co-chairs for the event, joined by committee members Sona Andrews, Kregg Arntson, Chris and Kathryn Hermann, Cameron Kurosu, Patricia Norris MD, Justine Thede Occhipinti, and Kathryn Wheeler.
From Portland Opera:
Portland Opera exists to inspire, challenge, and uplift our audiences by creating productions of high artistic quality that celebrate the beauty and breadth of opera.
Since 1964, Portland Opera has contributed to the cultural, artistic, and economic landscape of the city and region that we love. We celebrate the beauty and breadth of the opera repertoire with performances that take place in the Keller Auditorium, Newmark Theatre, and the Gregory K. and Mary Chomenko Hinckley Studio Theatre at the Hampton Opera Center. The company is also a committed educational partner, touring fully staged operas to schools and community centers throughout Oregon and SW Washington region each year, in addition to a host of other efforts designed to make opera accessible for all.
Portland, OR. Lan Su Chinese Garden supporters gathered in the authentic Ming Dynasty style garden for their “Under the Moonlight” gala. The September 7th benefit drew 75 people and raised over $60,000. Guests enjoyed an intimate evening in the garden and a three-course dining experience with wine pairings.
Lisa James and Sunan Setboonsarng
Dr. Jason Wells raises his bid card.
This table was organized by garden supporter Christina Wilson.
Auction emcee Tracy Barry
All revenue from the event will be used to maintaining and improving the garden and the hundreds of cultural programs offered throughout the year.
From Lan Su Chinese Garden:
The mission of Lan Su Chinese Garden is to cultivate an oasis of tranquil beauty and harmony to inspire, engage and educate our global community in the appreciation of a richly authentic Chinese culture.
Lan Su Chinese Garden is one of Portland’s greatest treasures and most interesting sites to see while visiting Portland. A result of a collaboration between the cities of Portland and Suzhou, our sister city in China’s Jiangsu province that’s famous for its beautiful Ming Dynasty gardens, Lan Su was built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou and is one the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China.
Much more than just a beautiful botanical garden, Lan Su is a creative wonder — a powerfully inspiring experience based on a 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition that melds art, architecture, design and nature in perfect harmony.
Once inside the garden’s walls, you’ll feel as if you’ve traveled through time to another era in a faraway world. Lan Su is a window into Chinese culture, history and way of thinking. Ever changing, Lan Su always has something new to offer — by the minute, by the hour, and with the seasons. Enter the wonderland.
Our Name
The garden’s name represents this relationship: sounds from both Portland and Suzhou are combined to form Lan Su. “Lan” (蘭) is also the Chinese word for “Orchid” and “Su” (蘇) is the word for “Arise” or “Awaken,” so the garden’s name can also be interpreted poetically as “Garden of Awakening Orchids.” (蘭蘇園)
Portland, OR. The INCIGHT Gala is coming up on Saturday, October 5th at the Sentinel Hotel. Diamonds and Denim is the theme, so organizers encourage guests to feel comfortable wearing gala attire from both ends of the spectrum. They promise, “a night of luxury and purpose that includes cocktails, games, raffles, fine dining, and a live auction.” Their mantra: be a diamond in a rhinestone world!
The mission of INCIGHT is to unlock the potential of people through employment, education, and independence. INCIGHT serves individuals living with barriers, people with disabilities, single parents, veterans, welfare recipients, and those involved with the justice system. Here are some photos from last year’s gala which was circus-themed:
Johnna Wells of Benefit Auctions 360 livens the room with exclusive auction packages.
There were plenty of on theme snacks, including popcorn!
Cheers to signature cocktails (The Barnum and The Bailey)
INCIGHT doesn’t just throw a fundraiser… they put on a show!
From INCIGHT:
INCIGHT is relentless in building sustainable villages, networks, and resources to help all people reach their unlimited potential. Through a variety of strategic programs and services focused on education, employment, and independence the results include less homelessness, less need for welfare, fewer incarcerations, fewer suicides and fewer disabilities.
For the gala on October 5th, doors open at 5:00 p.m. The dinner & live auction begin at 6:30 p.m.
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