Just because Santa has retired his red suit for another year doesn’t mean the season of giving is over in Des Moines.

Many local charities are preparing to host their annual evening galas and although attendees – or their companies – will dish out a handsome fee to attend, they’re guaranteed to be dazzled by top-notch food and spectacular entertainment.

“Des Moines is an unbelievable city for raising money for so many different causes,” said Rosalie Gallagher, an interior designer and a Business Record Woman of Influence award winner. “It’s just incredible. … It’s great to be involved and have fun doing it.”

Here’s where everybody who’s anybody will be in the upcoming months.

Bravo Gala – Feb. 2

Don’t expect an easy entrance into the Bravo Gala this year. The event is sold out, with 72 tables of 10 purchased for $2,500 to $3,500 apiece.

If there’s any remaining doubt that this event isn’t one of the biggest and best of Des Moines, just spend a few minutes with Suku Radia, Meredith Corp.’s chief financial officer, who co-chaired the inaugural gala with Principal Financial Group Inc. CEO J. Barry Griswell last year.

“Unlike most charity/civic events in Des Moines, this one is a real party,” Radia said. “It’s great food, great wine, very short speeches, followed by an absolutely spectacular orchestra to which people can dance and let go.”

And let go they do.

Radia explained that when the Ken Arlen Orchestra, a Chicago band that played at President George W. Bush’s second inaugural ceremony in 2005, started playing the ABBA hit, “Dancing Queen” (per Radia’s request),”women started getting on the stage and dancing. Before we knew it, Barry and I were carrying women onto the stage.”

Although there could have been a nasty disaster if the temporary stage had collapsed under the weight of more than 100 dancing women, Radia isn’t too worried this year. The event’s new site, the Prairie Meadows Events & Conference Center, has a permanent stage and he’s already sent his request for “Dancing Queen” to the orchestra, which Michelle and Barry Griswell are funding again for this year’s party.

Although the music is what most Bravo Gala attendees say is the most memorable part of the evening, other aspects of the event are not far behind. Event coordinator Karrie Weinhardt said the elegant décor at last year’s event was impressive, and though this year’s scheme will be very different, she expects it will have the same effect.

The Bravo Gala starts at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour followed by a four-course dinner and a short presentation, which will include a major gift announcement similar to the Blank Foundation’s $5.9 million donation, which organizations had to match for a combined $14 million.

Gala planners say the event is as much a celebration of arts and culture as it is a fund-raiser. Radia explains that it “is designed to give recognition to the arts and the cultural organizations in the community. It also is designed to make all of us respect the fact that we live in an absolutely world-class community in which we take for granted.”

Taste of Generosity – Feb. 3

Anyone who knows anything about fine wines will likely tell you that this is THE premier charity wine event in town.

“It’s a pretty serious wine event. There are no mediocre wines up for auction,” said Dr. Bruce Hughes of Ruan Neurology Clinic and Research Center, who became passionate about wine after a trip to a California vineyard while in medical school. Most of the wines, he added, come from “the best wine cellars in the city,” so you know the bottles have been stored to keep the wine in pristine condition.

For the serious bidders, the event, hosted by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and sponsored by Mercy Ruan Neuroscience Center, even has an exclusive wine tasting before the main event, which costs an extra $50.

The Taste of Generosity has built its reputation over 13 years, but this year, Beth Aebly, event planner, said, “We’re raising the bar a lot.”

Wines up for auction will include a 1990 Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a 1986 Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes and a 1992 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (double magnum). Some of the wines, Aebly predicted, will sell for more than $500.

Not only are the event organizers upping the quality of wines, but also the food and the location in the recently remodeled Des Moines Marriott Downtown. Hors d’oeuvres such as brie-stuffed strawberries and bacon-wrapped scallops will be served while people mingle and taste wines from seven Iowa vineyards. David Crabbs, a professor at the Ankeny Academy of Music, will play a mix of classical guitar, jazz and Spanish guitar music in the background.

At 8 p.m. the program will turn to the live auction, which features more than just wine. Hughes is especially excited about bidding on a trip to a California vineyard and a chance to spend a day with an Iowa winemaker. Simon Lambert, senior wine consultant and auctioneer from the Chicago Wine Co., will run the auction.

Aebly predicts the event will attract around 300 to 350 people.

“It’s a really popular event that has a strong following,” Aebly said. “A lot of people return year after year, and it attracts a wide audience both of people passionate about the MS Society’s mission as well as people passionate about wine collecting.”

For more information, go to www.tasteofgenerosity.org.

Heart Ball – Feb. 10

Maybe it was a trip to Arizona that Rick Messerschmidt, president of First Bank, won at a past Heart Ball that made him excited about attending this party year after year, but he would also add that it’s the entertainment and dancing, which he said “provides a good mid-winter exercise.”

The 14th annual Greater Des Moines Heart Ball, sponsored by the American Heart Association, does it all, with dinner, an auction, dancing and an awards ceremony rolled into one evening. To attract the more casual dressers, it also encourages men to pair a sports jacket and tie with jeans, while women are encouraged to wear their most stunning red outfit, which especially fits this year’s theme, “Paint the Town Red.”

“It’s just a fun atmosphere,” said event planner Jim Nettleton.

But the items up for auction may steal the show this year. They include a six-month lease on a Lexus RX and a racecar driving experience, plus raffle prizes of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a vacation for two to Bermuda. Local artists will also be judged on their interpretation of the heart and the top five winners’ works will be auctioned off.

The menu for the event, which will take place at the Hy-Vee Conference Center, is still being determined, but Nettleton said there will be some kind of a red dessert. The program also will include a presentation of “From the Heart” awards to Abby Nelson and former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, both of whom have survived cardiovascular disease.

Close to 400 people attended last year’s event and planner Jim Nettleton said they have sold about half the tickets with table sales. Contact Nettleton at 246-4567 or jim.nettleton@heart.org for more information.



Variety Club Telethon – March 2-4

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s Superman. Literally.

Norwalk native Brandon Routh, who played the title role in “Superman Returns,” is just one of the many stars who will make an appearance at Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa’s annual telethon, the largest locally produced telethon in the United States. The event takes place over the course of three days, with the biggest celebration on the night before the 24-hour program, which this year is March 2.

Eileen Gannon, financial adviser with Smith Barney, is already prepping for the big event. She not only writes and produces all the pre-taped vignettes, but she also is one of the hosts on the night shift.

“Variety always makes it entertaining and fun,” Gannon said. “There’s a lot of camaraderie.”

The stars dinner is a black-tie affair for about 300 people, and recognizes the largest donors and volunteers, introduces people to the telethon’s guest stars and builds excitement for the telethon ahead.

Many of the details for the event are still being finalized, but Sheri McMichael, executive director of Variety, said it will take place at the Adventureland Palace Theater, where the telethon takes place. There will be a formal dinner, and telethon cast members will provide entertainment.

“It’s just a great weekend to rejuvenate the spirit of giving,” said interior designer Gallagher, who volunteers at the event, “and it’s great to see over 1,500 volunteers doing things for children.”

To build up for the main event, Variety’s under 40 group hosts its Valentine Soiree, which this year will be on Feb. 16 at the Wakonda Club. People of all ages can attend the event, which includes hors d’oeuvres, free wine and beer, music by a disc jockey and live band, and a silent auction.

For information about both events, visit www.varietyofiowa.org.