Dec. 3, 2015

56th Annual Heart Ball a Glittering Affair to Remember

Top, Soul Survivor band entertains; Sweetheart Libby Cohen and her husband, Joel; chair Kimberly Afkhami and her husband, Nariman. Bottom, center, honorary co-chair Billie Jo Herberger

Chair Kimberly Afkhami and her committee created a magical – and fun – evening for the 56^th Annual Heart Ball on Nov. 21 at The Arizona Biltmore. The navy blue and platinum color theme was beautifully executed for the cocktail hour, where furnishings were provided by Avery Lane, and in the ballroom designed by Angelic Grove. The room was filled with thousands of twinkling lights over dining tables adorned with crystal candelabras, shimmering silk tablecloths and large bouquets of white florals. Guests embraced the colors, with many of the women wearing navy blue evening gowns.

The 600 guests enjoyed a menu created by Arizona Biltmore Chef Gordon Maybury, inspired by dining trends among Afkhami’s friends. The first course was an array of seafood; the second, steak and fries; and the third, banana crème pie inspired by créme brûlée. A special surprise was the addition of Nikoloschka, an after-dinner drink. Malone’s Munchies provided valet favors.

East Coast band Soul Survivors played a high-energy mix of classics, Motown and contemporary music that kept party-goers on their feet throughout the evening.

The occasion, however, was about more than colors, menus, dancing and twinkling lights. The 2015 ball had as its theme “Passionate Hearts,” and Afkhami and her committee spent the year supporting her platform of promoting children’s health. Funds raised from the evening benefit the American Heart Association. Lisa Geyser, Paula Wichterman, chairman-elect Jennifer Carmer, Sweetheart Libby Cohen, and honorary chairs Billie Jo and Judd Herberger comprised the executive committee.

PHOTOS BY DUKE PHOTOGRAPHY, UNLESS INDICATED