Around & About

Final preparations are under way for the Omaha Symphony Guild's Table Art 2011. The annual fundraiser is co-chaired by Liz Crosson, Sheila Nelson and Kris Patton.

Borsheims is the major sponsor for the fundraiser. This year Table Art 2011 will feature the MacKenzie-Childs line of ceramics. Since 1983, MacKenzie-Childs has made handcrafted ceramics, each piece a one-of-a-kind collectible. The New York-based company also designs and hand-decorates furniture and other home furnishings.

“Orchestrating the Perfect Event” is the theme of the preview party, which will be held on the evening of March 31, and the luncheon commemorating the Omaha Symphony's 90th anniversary, which will be held on April 1. Both events will be at the Georgetowne Club.

Mark Bergadon of MacKenzie-Childs will speak at the luncheon. Table displays featuring china from Omaha families and local Omaha designers will be on display.

Honorary chairwoman for Table Art 2011 is Mary Ann Pederson; Omaha Symphony Guild president is Donna Foley.

Proceeds from the event will be used to support the symphony's award-winning music education programs.

Ticket prices are $60 for the luncheon and $50 for the preview party, or $100 for both; prices for people 35 and younger are $40 for the luncheon and $35 for the preview party.

For more information about the Omaha Symphony Guild or Table Art 2011, contact Sheila Nelson at 598-7385 or go to www.omahasymphonyguild.org.

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Also commemorating the Omaha Symphony's 90th anniversary will be a black-tie gala March 5 at Joslyn Art Museum. The night will also honor Dick Holland, a longtime friend of the symphony, who is also marking his 90th birthday this year.

Cocktails at 5:30 p.m. in the museum's Storz Fountain Court will include music by the Omaha Harp Circle, a group of eight harpists led by the Omaha Symphony's Mary Bircher.

The cocktail hour will be followed by a special tribute and a concert by the Omaha Symphony conducted by Maestro Thomas Wilkins in the Witherspoon Concert Hall. Then dinner will be served in the ConAgra Atrium. During dinner, people will enjoy the music of young violinists from symphony violinist Anne Nagosky's private studio.

“Ninety years ago, when the orchestra consisted of a small but mighty band of talented local players, no one could have dreamed of a home like the Holland Performing Arts Center,” Wilkins said. “No one could have foreseen performing with the world's best artists, the likes of Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma. However, with a passion for artistic excellence and the backing of a generous community, this organization has grown — in size, in artistry and in impact.”

Honorary chairmen for the anniversary event are Pat and Richard Bell and Anne and John Nelson.

Tickets are $500 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Heather Hoyt at 342-3836, ext. 125, or hhoyt@omahasymphony.org.

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The carnival will be in town next month. The fourth annual Heartland Family Service Gala, “Carnival of Love,” will be Feb. 19 at the Embassy Suites La Vista.

The event will start at 6 p.m. with carnival games, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction, followed at 7:30 p.m. by the program, dinner and a live auction.

Guests are asked to dress casually.

Event chairwomen are Shelley Siemers and Jayne Timmerman. Friends Guild president is Dianne Scott.

Tickets are $125 per person.

For more information about Heartland Family Service Friends and the 2011 Gala, contact Caryn Ficco at 552-7424 or go to www.heartlandfamilyservice.org.

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“Wild About Wishes” will be the theme of the 13th annual Friends of Make-A-Wish Blue Jean Ball.

The event will be held March 12 in the Mutual of Omaha Dome. Festivities will start at 6 p.m. Silent and oral auctions, a dinner and program will be followed with entertainment by Tunafish Jones.

Dan and Shirley Neary are honorary chairmen; Lisa Ketcham and Pam Weekly are event chairwomen.

For reservations or information, contact Angela Kros at akros@nebraska.wish.org or 333-8999.