Sierra Club Trail Blazers Ball
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
It was quite a busy weekend for San Francisco’s social set. On Thursday night, the star of HBO’s Silicon Valley, Thomas Middleditch, hosted the Trail Blazer’s Ball in honor of the Sierra Club’s 125th anniversary. The ball took place at the Palace of Fine Arts, in the giant hanger that used to house the Exploratorium. Over $550K was raised at the event which honored Michael Bloomberg, Shailene Woodley, Yong Jung Cho, and LaDonna Brave Bull Allard. Notable presenters included Twitter founder Jack Dorsey and celebrity guests in attendance were Michelle Pfeiffer, David E. Kelley, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Darren Aronofsky. The event focused on combating climate change and celebrated an appreciation of the environment. “The Club had just successfully fought the opening of hundreds of coal-fired power plants and they had the audacious idea of launching a campaign to close down one-third of the nation’s existing coal-fired power production,” Bloomberg said. “As soon as I heard about the idea of local action leading us to a new energy future, I knew it was something we could achieve with the right partners, the right plan, and the finances to get it done. Today, I can tell you that it really has been one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever been involved in and it would be hard to find a better return on investment, when you count both the lives saved and the emissions reduced.”
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew AltizerThe Big Little Lies star, Woodley, was passionate about her experience as an outspoken opponent of the Dakota Access Pipeline. “All we’re fighting for is love,” said Woodley. “Every human being wants to experience love and wants to give love. We’ve gotten lost along the way… Remember why we care about this planet and remember why we care about each other.” The elegant menu consisted of a light and crisp shaved spring vegetable salad with sheep’s milk feta, rainbow carrots, and watermelon radish and a sweet pea agnolotti pasta with fava leaf pesto. The meal was entirely vegetarian and consisted of local, sustainable, climate friendly ingredients sourced by Betty Zlatchin Cathering.
Spring Gala
Photo Credit: Claudine Gossett for Drew Altizer Photography
On Saturday night, Vanessa Getty and Trevor Traina chaired the 14th annual Spring Gala. Normally the event takes place earlier in the year and is known as the Mid-Winter Gala, but it was pushed back and therefore called the Spring Gala. Whatever the name, it was one of the most beautiful affairs in recent memory. The lobby of the de Young Museum was transformed into an enchanted garden by Flowers Claire Marie. The pink, white, and orange peony arrangements were glorious! The tequila shots flowed and McCalls Catering served up a green pea soup and spring lamb feast. A few lucky guests, like the former mayor Willie Brown, were treated to a tin of caviar and thick-cut potato chips—a personal gift from Mr. McCall himself.
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Claudine Gossett for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Claudine Gossett for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Claudine Gossett for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Claudine Gossett for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Claudine Gossett for Drew Altizer PhotographyThe evening of dinner and dancing was a fundraiser for the junior committee of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and all of the proceeds support the de Young and Legion of Honor. It was quite the whose who of San Franciscans in attendance. VIPs included Marissa Mayer, Zach Bogue, Denise Hale, Alexis Traiana, Todd and Katie Traina, Sonya Molodetskaya, Brenda Zarate, Sobia and Nadir Shaik, Alison Pincus, and Mary Beth and David Shimmon. Vogue editor Plum Sykes and model Devon Aoki were also at the party. Before dinner, guests had the chance to walk through the current exhibit, the Summer of Love Experience: Art, Fashion, and Rock and Roll. After the meal, the group partied to the tunes of Dj Dojah Spun.
