San Francisco Opera Guild celebrated the holidays by helping share the gift of opera at Holiday Cheers, the Guild’s annual holiday celebration on Wednesday, December 7 at Alexandra’s, the spectacular private venue at The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco.

Nafiseh Lindberg and Michelle Marie Ritchie served as co-chairs of Holiday Cheers, which benefits the Opera Guild’s opera education programs that reach more than 50,000 students each year, and also funds free live holiday music performances to Bay Area pediatric hospitals, hospices and senior centers during the month of December.

This very special evening kicked off with a Scottish flair with guests indulging in fine wines, delicious scotches, and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres.  The evening included lively Highland entertainment, as well as a silent and live auction.

Guests could also take part in fun holiday shopping during the silent auction, as well as the spirited live auction run by auctioneer Piers MacKenzie, formerly of Bonhams & Butterfields. These auctions featured an array of “must-have” experiences and items donated by Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa, Byington Vineyard & Winery, Carnegie Hall, Cavallo Point Lodge, Conn Creek Winery, Encantado, an Auberge Resort, Epi Med Center, Fairmont St. Andrews, Grey Goose Vodka, GUMP’S, Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, Jardiniere, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Mr. Charles MacKay, Mr. James Noe, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Post Ranch Inn, Radisson Blu Edinburgh, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Telepan, The Absinthe Group – Arlequin Wine, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park, The Sheraton Phoenix, Torreon Golf Course, TRU, United Airlines, Vinter’s Collective and Robin Woolard Precious Jewels.

Live entertainment by DJ Sam Isaac and hors d’oeuvres from John’s Grill and The Westin St. Francis rounded out the evening’s festivities.

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