Napa Throws Benefit for Sister City in Japan

“,” at the Sunday afternoon, is shaping up to be the don’t-miss event of the spring.

The reception/concert/silent auction directly benefits Napa’s longtime Japanese sister city Iwanuma, hard hit by this month’s earthquake and tsunami.

“I'm absolutely blown away by the support we've seen for this event,” said Julie Dalrymple, marketing director for the Opera House.

According to Dalrymple, seven wineries will be pouring tastes at the 3 p.m. reception in the Opera House Café Theatre: Cornerstone Cellars, Grgich Hills, Jessup Cellars, Kenzo Estate, Opus One and Peju Province Winery.

Six of Napa’s favorite restaurants will be serving food: , , , , , and .

There’s also a silent auction with donations from more than 90 wineries, businesses and individuals. The lots include collectible wines, spa treatments and even a ukulele.

At 4 p.m., ticketholders will ascend to the historic second-story Opera House stage for a one-of-a-kind concert with Taiko drumming, choral music and a special reading from playwright Philip Kan Gotanda.

“Every bit of this is donated and run by a dedicated group of volunteers who pulled the whole thing together in 10 days,” Dalrymple said.

The is the event’s non-profit fiscal sponsor, she continued: Donations will be administered through the club and checks can be made out to Kiwanis Club of Napa, with "Iwanuma Fund-Raiser" in the memo line.

Tickets for “From Napa to Iwanuma” are $35 for the performance only ($15 for ages 18 and younger) and $75 for the reception and premium seating at the performance.

Buy tickets online at nvoh.org or from the Opera House box office at 1030 Main Street: (707) 226-7372.

SILENT AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
Wines:                                                                                                                        Harlan Estate 2002 & 2004 1.5L Napa Valley Red Wine
2008 Vin Perdu 5L Jeroboam Napa Valley signed by Heidi Barrett
Case of 2000 Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Opus One 2001 & 2002 750ml
Magnum of Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 1.5 L
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2007 "FAY" Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir "Southing"
Beringer 1987 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 Clark-Claudon Cabernet Sauvignon Etched and Boxed 3L
3 magnums and six 750 ml bottles of Turley Zinfandel and Petite Syrah
Magnum 2005 Pina Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Wolff Vineyard Yountville
Three Magnums of Elizabeth Spencer 2006 Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay

Items and Experiences:
Lanakai 8 string ukulele with case, tuner and stand
4 nights at Incline Village Lake Tahoe, 5 bedroom private residence
Bardessono - Gift certificate for one night of lodging in a King Spa Suite plus dinner for two in the restaurant

PERFORMANCE
Performance host: Gregory Matsumoto, Tomodachi Club of Napa

FIRST HALF
Buddhist Blessing: Irv Kirschbaum, Sonoma Shambhala Center
Napa Valley Taiko, led by David Gonzalez
Welcome: Bob Almeida, Napa Valley Opera House
Remarks: Jill Techel, Mayor of Napa, Marita Dorenbecher, Event Organizer
Vintage Choir & Chamber Choir, led by Mark Teeters
Guangxi Martial Arts, led by Pat Tyrell
Remarks from Charlie Ray
Silverado Ballet Troupe

Intermission
Silent Auction open           

SECOND HALF
Napa Valley Reiki Group, led by Lisa Koester
Sonoma Taiko, led by Arn Shimizu
Vintage Chamber Choir, led by Mark Teeters
Reading by Philip Kan Gotanda and Diane Takei
Akido of Napa: Katori Swords, led by Mark Jones
Closing Remarks
Benediction by Vintage Choir