OH, WHAT A BLISSFUL NIGHT!

Thanks to the tremendous support of Maitri donors and guests, Bliss 2010 was a resounding success!

Maitri’s signature gala and auction took place on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at the beautiful Golden Gate Club in the Presidio of San Francisco. The festive mood of the evening was launched with the exhilarating beats of the Heiwa Taiko drummers and the chanting of Jana Drakka and Buddhist monks. Guests were treated to a bounty of delicious goodies from Bi-Rite Creamery, Piperade, Bocadillos, Chow, Garibaldi’s on Presidio, Mas Empanadas, Spruce, Zare’s Fly Trap, Salt House, Town Hall, Creative Culinary Concepts and Maitri’s own executive chef, Ann Kong. Libations were provided by Blue Angel Vodka, Barefoot Wine and Hint Water.

Some of the Bliss 2010 features enjoyed by over 475 guests were beauty tips and massages at the popular Beauty Bar and having their pictures taken in the Magnolia Photo Booth while donning hilarious costumes and accessories. Maitri’s signature Silent Auction featured artwork from renowned artists, Mel Hanson, Kazuaki Tanahashi, Philip Hua, Asha Menghrajani, Ron Henggeler, Frances Blau and many other generous artists. In addition to artwork, the Silent Auction offered gift packages and other beautiful items to nurture the hearts and souls of our guests. Over $24,000 was raised at the Silent Auction.

The evening’s stage performance began with classic Balinese dancing by the Gamelan Sekar Jaya troupe and was highlighted with a performance by Sandra Bernhard and a Live Auction with Carmen Marc Valvo (who hosted a fashion show of his gowns modeled by City Models before the Live Auction began). There was lively bidding for exclusive Nob Hill, Hamptons, Paris, Costa Rica, Los Angeles and Hawaii vacation packages, and an enormous $18,500 was raised from the Live Auction. Kudos to the Bliss 2010 Committee and especially, to Alan Ratliff, the event’s Artistic Director who made Bliss 2010 a beautiful success.

Maitri is profoundly grateful for the incredible support of our donors and guests who raised over $190,000 at Bliss 2010! If you joined us for Bliss 2010, please take a moment to complete a survey so that we can make Bliss 2011 even better.

Visit our gallery of Bliss 2010 photographs taken by Ron Henggeler

Check out the hilarious Bliss 2010 Magnolia Photo Booth pictures

Read the Bay Times article at: http://www.sfbaytimes.com/?sec=article&article_id=12851