It’s Derby Day with Hattitude or is that Attitude? A look back at 2018 DCPA Luncheon

By Joe Contreras & Suzanne Yoe, Photos & video by Joe Contreras Latin Life Denver Media (see photo gallery & video of parade of hats below)

Attitude will allow you to power through whatever life throws at you. In fact, it’s all about attitude. It’s always been about attitude. And always will be about attitude. So says Steve Rizzo in a recent article in Success Magazine.

(From right to left) Charlotte Movizzo, 2016 Bobby G Award winner; Jeff Hovorka, Director of Marketing & Sales / DCPA Broadway & Cabaret; Jo Semple and DCPA Chairman Martin Semple; and Heidi Bosk, Associate Director of PR & Integrated Marketing / DCPA Broadway & Cabaret

(From right to left) Charlotte Movizzo, 2016 Bobby G Award winner; Jeff Hovorka, Director of Marketing & Sales / DCPA Broadway & Cabaret; Jo Semple and DCPA Chairman Martin Semple; and Heidi Bosk, Associate Director of PR & Integrated Marketing / DCPA Broadway & Cabaret

Well there was plenty of positive and creative attitude to go around at the 13th annual Women with Hattitude luncheon held May 3rd at the Seawell Grand Ballroom of the Denver Center for the performing arts.  Latin Life Denver Media was honored to be part of this fabulous happening.

Women With Hattitude is an annual benefit for the women’s voices fund at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts to commission, develop and produce new plays by women.

(From right to left) DCPA Chairman Martin Semple, DCPA Trustee Patty Baca and DCPA President & CEO Janice Sinden

(From right to left) DCPA Chairman Martin Semple, DCPA Trustee Patty Baca and DCPA President & CEO Janice Sinden

The Macy’s Parade of Hats is the highlight of this afternoon luncheon. More than 650 women took part. Hattitude Awards are judged by a panel of local fashionistas and presented for the categories of Vintage Beauty, I Made It Myself, Fabulous Facinator, High Society, Wildly Whimsical, Exquisitely Elegant, Best Derby Hat and Best in Show.

Women with Hattitude emcee, Denise Plante, KOSI radio.

Women with Hattitude emcee, Denise Plante, KOSI radio.

Thirteen years ago, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) launched a first-of-its-kind initiative — an endowment fund to support the work of women in theatre. In the same year, the DCPA created its Women with Hattitude luncheon, the proceeds of which go directly into the endowment fund for one purpose — to give voice to women playwrights whose work only accounts for 20% of plays produced across America today.
Hattitude May 3, 2018 (181)
Since its inception, this annual luncheon has contributed more than $600,000 the Women’s Voices Fund, which is currently valued at $1.5 million. The Fund has enabled the DCPA Theatre Company to produce 30 plays by women, commission 19 female playwrights and hire 23 female directors. Furthermore, the Fund also has contributed to 13 world premiere plays by women, including this season’s productions of Human Error (May 18-June 24) and The Great Leap.

DCPA Trustee and Denver socialite Judi Wolf tells the audience they are all best in show winners for their support of the Women With Hattitude fundraiser

DCPA Trustee and Denver socialite Judi Wolf tells the audience they are all best in show winners for their support of the Women With Hattitude fundraiser.

Always a popular event on the Spring social calendar,  the more than 650 guests  enjoyed a social and networking hour before lunch by Epicurean Group and a musical selection from DCPA Theatre Company’s current production of The Who’s Tommy performed by Lulu Fall.

The day culminated with a parade of hats; each table will selected a representative to walk the runway in the Macy’s Parade of Hats — an impromptu fashion show of the day’s most spectacular hats judged by a panel of local fashion experts. The fashion show was accompanied by a song performed by former Bobby G High School Musical Theatre Award winner Charlotte Movizzo.

Women with Hattitude is chaired by Terri Fisher and Murri Bishop. Women with Hattitude is supported by Platinum Sponsors Macy’s, Jack & Adrienne Ruston Fitzgibbons, and the Denver Center Alliance; Gold Sponsors Denise & Ray Bellucci, Margot & Allan Frank, and Mariel; Media Sponsor: Reign Magazine and Wine Sponsor Clos du Bois.

 

Photos by Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media