May 8, 2018

Dinner on the Desert

Top, left: Jan Kaneko, Velocity, Head, 2009, cast bronze and enamel paint, on display through May 13. Lower, left: Kolby Moffatt and Ardie Evans. Top, right: Ken Schutz, Desert Botanical Garden executive director, with chairs Kathleen and Steve Taddie. Lower, right: Margot and Dennis Knight

More than 600 guests attended the 32^nd Annual Dinner on the Desert on April 28 at Desert Botanical Garden. The Garden’s major annual fundraiser, the event raised $450,000 to support Sonoran Desert field trips for students, care for the facility’s world-class plant collection and conservation efforts of the Garden’s field botanists.

Chairs Kathleen and Steve Taddie welcomed guests into the Ottosen Entry Garden with cocktails and music by Ruthie Wilde and Sipho Mabingani.

The Taddies have been engaged with Desert Botanical Garden for more than 10 years, both personally and through their business, Stellar Capital Management. Their vision for this year’s gala was “A Garden Full of Stars, centering around how beautiful the night sky is at the Garden. The theme also reflected the idea that everyone who attends and supports the Garden are the “real” stars.

Before dinner, guests browsed the extensive silent auction in Dorrance Hall, bidding on more than 240 distinctive plants, pots and garden art as well as unique experiences. The Super Silent Showcase featured 32 one-of-a-kind experiences, designer décor and benches, art and sculpture, and fine dining.

Dinner, catered by Hyatt/Copper Square Kitchen, was served on both the Stardust Foundation Plaza and the Ullman Terrace. Pianist Nick Manson provided the dinner music.

Following dinner, guests gathered in the Ottosen Entry Garden to enjoy the stars up-close with Phoenix Astronomical Society. Traveler performed for guests to dance under the stars.

Money from the event will directly benefit the Garden’s work to protect cactuses. The Garden is committed to advancing excellence in education, research, exhibition and conservation of desert plants of the world with an emphasis on the Southwest.

PHOTOS COURTESY DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN