20th Anniversary Gala Auction Items
Live Auction Items
1. Gourmet Dinner With Our Maestro
Ever wondered what it’s like to conduct an orchestra? How you learn to do it? Or would you just like to get to know Maestro Dana Sadava better? Musicians Seth (timpani) and Merrie (cello) Jaffe have graciously arranged for a select group of guests to join them and Dana at their home for a feast prepared on-site by an accomplished chef. Six seats are available. We are offering this unique experience to the 6 top bidders.
Starting bid: $50.00/person, +$10
2. Conduct MVP
Experience for yourself what it’s like to stand at the podium and conduct a symphony orchestra, and help us celebrate this special day by conducting Happy Birthday to MVP. Our Executive Director Richard Aldag has written a special arrangement of the song just for this occasion, so the winning bidder will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to conduct a world premiere while the rest of us sing. And, we are throwing in a keepsake baton.
Starting bid: $50.00/person, +$10
3. Luxury Seascape Vacation – Bid With Your Friends
The ultimate winner’s choice for the tropical beach lover!
Pamper yourself, your family and your friends with a 4-night getaway in a luxury private residence. Winning bidder gets to choose one of these popular locations:
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Hacienda Beach Club and Residence along Playa el Medano in Los Cabos, Mexico
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Baha Mar Resort at Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas
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Luxury seaside apartment in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
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The Palms Private Residences at Playa Flamingo Beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
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Penthouse in Porto Cupecoy, St. Maarten
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Ocean-view condo at the beach in San Diego, CA.
All residences include at least 2 bedrooms and accommodate 4; St Maarten residence includes 3 bedrooms and accommodates 6. Package includes pre-trip planning and local concierge services; airfare not included.
Please note: Certificate is good for 18 months. Some time restrictions, such as Christmas, and New Year’s, apply.
Silent Auction Items
1. Tutti Benvenuti Cooking Class & Dinner for 6
Tutti Benvenuti (which means “Everyone Welcome”) is a cooking school run by Valerie Francescato Jackson, a cooking teacher and personal chef. She teaches small group cooking classes out of her beautiful home kitchen in San Rafael. Surround yourself with good friends and good food prepare and enjoy a delicious Italian meal under Valerie’s tutelage.
2. Classic Stationery from Paper Sugar
Pamper yourself and rediscover the joys of paper and ink with this lovely assortment of note cards, a journal, a desk calendar, and a scented candle from Paper Sugar.
3. Levi’s “Star Wars” Trucker Jacket
If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’re gonna love this NEW Limited Edition Star Wars Galaxy Trucker Jacket, Men’s Large. This jacket brings together two icons: Star Wars and Levi’s cool.
4. Levi’s Updated “Trucker” Jacket
This a NEW Black Sherpa-lined Trucker Jacket, Men’s Large. It’s the cozier counterpart to Levi's Original Trucker Jacket. Levi’s® iconic, instantly recognizable jean jacket has been a symbol of individual self-expression for decades. This classic is lined with fuzzy sherpa for warmth and comfort, all while keeping it authentic. Buy it for yourself or for the man you love!
5. “Screwpull” Wine Opener in Hand-Crafted Decorative Box
Local craftsman Bill Yeast has created this unique addition to your wine collection: a “Screwpull” wine opener housed in a hand-crafted, decorative wooden box. Functional and a beautiful display item.
6. Scenic Wine Country/Bay Flight for Two
Back by popular demand!” Violinist (and instrument rated pilot) Eric van Boer has once again donated a thrilling scenic plane ride for two in his Cirrus SR22 plane. Eric will take you on a scenic flight leaving from Marin County (Gnoss Field) Airport to view the wine country, Point Reyes, the Coast, and then down over the beautiful San Francisco Bay above the Golden Gate.
7. Stunning Marin Landscape Prints by Acclaimed Local Artist Christin Coy
We are so grateful to Christin Coy for donating this duo of stunning and valuable Marin landscape prints to support MVP.
For the past thirty years Christin’s artwork has reflected her appreciation for nature through her landscape and animal paintings in the style of classical realism, both in plein air and in her larger studio works. She enjoys hiking the many trials around Marin where she finds her artistic inspiration. Christin’s oil paintings of Marin’s oak covered golden hills and coastal regions reflect her strong connection with the land, and bring to life the unique mood and beauty of each setting.
Christin paints daily in her San Anselmo studio and participates in annual art
exhibits such as “MarinScapes", “Ranches and Rolling Hills” raising funds for protecting farmland for Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), and BayWood Artists’ annual benefit art show for environmental preservation. She is a founding member of BayWood Artists and an Artist Member of the California Art Club. Her paintings can be found in collections throughout the United States.
8. Multimedia Painting, “Looking East on Hayes”
Treat yourself to this unique urban landscape painting by artist David Auld. Clinical psychologist by day, painter on the weekends, David creates cityscapes in oil and other media.
9. Vintage Metronome
Yes it’s the Digital Age, but musicians still love these vintage electric metronomes dating from the 1970s. Maple housing, makes great beat sounds at various tempos. Use for music study or as a cool conversation piece.
10. Antique Doll
This antique Armand Marseille 370 Bisque (porcelain-headed) doll from Germany, with original hair and dress, is a great addition to a collection or a unique gift for your grandchild. Buy it here to support MVP and not on e-Bay!
11. Coffee maker
Any coffee-lover will want this classic Chemex Filter-Drip coffee carafe, along with a pound of Peet’s Limited Edition coffee beans. Keep it for yourself or gift it to a friend.
12. Handmade wooden salad bowl
MVP cellist David Lakes handcrafted this gorgeous bowl just for our auction. About 13” diameter, made of camphor wood, and finished with a food-safe sealer, it will look lovely on your table and will make any salad look like a work of art.
13. Judd’s Hill Winery Tasting For 4
Judd’s Hill has made wine in The Napa Valley since the 1970s, and continues to produce signature wines that are fruit-driven and concentrated while remaining well-balanced and food-friendly. Taking an intimate and personal approach to winemaking, Judd’s Hill limits its annual production to less than 3,000 cases.
The winery is a certified Napa Valley Green Winery designed to minimize its impact on the land. The use of environmentally efficient drainage, solar lighting, and an aggressive recycling and composting program are a few ways that the winery uses smart design to make a difference.
The winning bidder and their guests will enjoy an informative seated tasting for 4, with a choice of two menus with five wines each.
[Reservations can best be made by calling the Tasting Room at 707-255-2332 x 2, or by emailing info@juddshill.com. ]
14. Schug Carneros Estate Winery Tasting for 4 plus a Magnum of Pinot Noir
You will love this winery tour and tasting experience at Schug Carneros Estate Winery in Sonoma. For 30 years, Schug has carried on its founder’s 100-year tradition of hand-crafting Pinot Noir, as well as producing other fine red and white wines. The winning bidder will receive an immersive Estate Tour of the winery, followed by a seated Cave tasting of limited, winery exclusive wines alongside locally sourced and house made culinary bites. The experience lasts approximately two hours. Schug requests at least 48 hours’ notice to request a reservation. The winning bid also comes along with a magnum (1.5 liter) of Schug's 2013 Carneros Pinot Noir - a highly valued and hard to get vintage.
15. Celtic Music Concert in your home
Bid on a unique musical experience. MVP concertmistress Charmian Stewart and cellist Amanda Craver will present a private house concert of Celtic and Scandinavian music arranged for violin and cello. In addition to performing, they discuss the history, composition and performance techniques involved in playing traditional music and welcome questions from the audience for an interactive and entertaining event. Invite your friends for a unique, festive show. 1.0 - 1.5 hours.
About the Artists:
Charmian Stewart is a graduate of the Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts and the Cleveland Institute of Music where she received her Bachelor and Master Degrees of Music and studied with David Updegraff. She has been a member of the New Century Chamber Orchestra, San Jose Symphony, Monterey County Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic, and Sacramento Chamber Orchestra. Her chamber music experiences include the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, string quartet recitals in Australia; Moscow; Baku, Azerbaijan and Tbilisi, Georgia and as a founding member of Trio Dagoba, which specialized in Contemporary music. She has enjoyed performing with Barry Manilow, Dave Brubeck, Sharon Jones and the Dap- Kings, John Handy, Nancy Griffith, Belle & Sebastian, and the Scorpions.
An active performer, in addition to playing with MVP Charmian is currently a member of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, founder of a celtic/scandi folk trio, and a performer with the Marin and California Symphony. She is also an experienced teacher, with over 20 students in her San Anselmo Suzuki Strings studio, and teaches strings at the Marin Waldorf and San Domenico Schools.
Amanda Craver is a graduate of the Fredonia State University of New York where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education and studied cello under the tutelage of Nancy Anderson and Natasha Farny, violin with Cornelius Dufallo, and conducting with David Rudge. She worked in New York as an elementary orchestra director in the Frontier School District and as music director of the Hamburg High School Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and String Orchestra. After moving to San Anselmo in 2011, Amanda taught at the San Domenico Music Conservatory and now runs a private string studio. In her 20 years of teaching she has taught over 800 students how to play a string instrument.
Amanda has been a member of numerous string quartets and chamber orchestras and has played cello and violin with several folk groups, including Trapezium, Almost Seamus, and the Blue Bird Trio. She has enjoyed performing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Chieftains, John Doyle and Liz Carroll.
16. Private Yoga Session
Fine-tune your yoga practice with a private, 75-minute yoga session for 1-2 people at your home. All levels welcome.
MVP cellist Sarah Steen has been delighting in the discoveries of yoga since first stepping onto a mat in 1998. She began teaching in 2003 and soon after became a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. Using yoga philosophy, mindful sequencing, breath practices, and a bit of humor, she creates classes to encourage students to build awareness both on and off the mat. Her practice and
teaching are deeply rooted in the joyful expression and alignment principles of Anusara yoga, with whose founder she has studied, and she has been a long-time student of Ulrika Engman. More recently, Sarah has expanded her studies of alignment-based yoga under the guidance of Sienna Smith and Prajna Yoga teachers Tias Little and Djuna Mascall.
[For award certificate: To arrange your yoga session, please contact Sarah Steen at sarahsteenyoga@gmail.com or call her at 415-485-4355.]
17. Skin-care Treatments
Violinist Dr. Diana Parnell, owner of the Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Institute in Kentfield, has donated two sets of amazing treatments guaranteed to make you look and feel younger and more beautiful.
(1) Skin Rejuvenation – Laser Genesis Treatment package.
Laser Genesis V™ is a laser procedure that targets fine lines, wrinkles, redness, scarring, and brown spots. It stimulates your body’s natural processes to reverse sun damage and signs of aging. This no-downtime procedure consists of a series of 5 treatments spaced at 2 to 4-week intervals. It is a perfect treatment to fit in anytime of the day, even on a lunch break! Most patients would describe this treatment as relaxing or therapeutic as you will feel a gentle warming of the skin. It is also effective in treating acne and acne rosacea.
(2) Skin Rejuvenation – Microneedling Treatment package.
About Dr. Parnell. Dr. Parnell is a board certified dermatologist with extensive experience and expertise in cosmetic and laser surgery as well as general dermatology. She has had extensive laser experience since 1986, having purchased and used more than 25 lasers in her career. She has been performing facial laser resurfacing and rejuvenation procedures since 1988.
She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology as well as a member of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and the San Francisco Dermatological Society. She has been a long time member of the Marin Medical Society, the California Medical Association, the Pacific Dermatologic Association and the California Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.
[For award certificates: The Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Institute is located at 1030 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ste. 110, Kentfield. Please call 415-461-1036 to arrange your first appointment, or visit for more information.]
18. Whale-watching trip
A not-to-be-missed opportunity to take a naturalist-led cruise around San Francisco Bay to see the amazing marine wildlife that abounds here. Porpoises, seals, sea lions, and seabirds are guaranteed, and whales are very likely. Your __-hour voyage will be on the comfortable San Francisco Whale Tours Kitty Kat boat.
Restaurants
1. Angelino Restaurant, 621 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Family-friendly Italian eatery serving casual basics along with exotic dishes.
2. Barrel House Tavern, 660 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Sleek eatery on the bay serves New American fare & creative cocktails in a former ferry terminal.
3. Il Davide, 901 S St., San Rafael
Warm, welcoming, locally-owned talian restaurant serving refined Tuscan fare including lunch specials amid lively atmosphere.
4. Oyama Sushi, 282 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae
Authentic sushi bar restaurant located in the BonAir shopping center
5. Piatti, 625 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley
Traditional Italian trattoria with an open kitchen & pizzas from a stone-hearth oven.
6. Piazza D’Angelo, 22 Miller Ave., Mill Valley
Mill Valley’s favorite hangout, offering Italian options like wood-fired pizza in a livey setting with a fireplace, full bar & patio.
7. Poggio Trattoria, 777 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Northern Italian trattoria with dishes crafted from herbs & produce grown in an on-site garden.
8. The Spinnaker, 100 Spinnaker Dr., Sausalito
Waterside California-seafood spot with panoramic views of the city, bay, seals & sailboats.
9. The Trident, 558 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Iconic restaurant, built over the water & featuring '60s art & woodwork, serving seafood & steaks.
Special thanks to these generous donors:
Special thanks to these generous donors:
Marina Bay Bakery
The Spinnaker
The Trident
Tutti Benvenutti
Susie Cakes
San Francisco Whale Tours
Sugar Paper
Poggio Trattoria
Schug Carneros Estate
Piazza D'Angelo
Pete's Coffee and Tea
Oyama Sushi
Piatti
Nugget Markets
Judd's Hill Winery
Mill Valley Market
Il Davide
The Good Earth
Gott's Roadside
Headlands Brewing Co.
Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Institute
Cristin Coy
Barrell House Tavern
Angelino