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RUSSIAN NATIONAL ORCHESTRA FETED AT NOB HILL’S Le CLUB – JOHN TRAINA, KAREN AND RICK WALKTER HOST EVENT

9 July 2008

A wedding feast at Bouchaine Winery where Frenchman Stéphane Denève and his Swedish fiancé Asa Masters chose to exchange their vows

BY JEANNE LAWRENCE

John Traina and Karen and Rick Walker feted the Russian National Orchestra’s (RNO) return to Davies Symphony Hall with a private dinner at Nob Hill’s newest hot spot, Le Club.

Guests were among the first to enjoy the private supper club even before its official opening. Could it be that John has some clout, what with his son film maker Todd Traina being one of the owners?

Andre Ruzhnikov with co-host John Traina

You must have heard of entertainment attorney Rick Walker, who is also President of the Russian Arts Foundation, and co-founder of Napa Valley’s Festival del Sole held every summer.

Naturally, he made sure that Vladimir Jurowski, RNO principal guest conductor, Andre Ruzhnikov, the Russian art dealer who brokered the Forbes Faberge egg collection sales with Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg, were among the honored guests.

Other music lovers at the intimate dinner: Athena Troxel Blackburn and Timothy Blackburn, Austin Hills, Austin Hills, Jr., Peter Paul, Jude Blake, Michael Polenske, Kim Wilsey, Judith and John Renard, Martha Bredon, Alice Corning, Richard Massey, Laney and Pasha Thornton and Gary Ross.

Take a look at the wines served, which alone was worth spending hours a la table: 2000 Launois Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne; 1989 Batard-Monrachet, Grand Cru, Louis Jado; 1985 Mazis-Chambertin, Grand Cru, Louis Latour; 1998 Domino Pingus and 2000 Chateau d’Yquem Premier Grand Cru, Sauternes.

Athena Blackburn and Vladimir Jurowski,
RNO principal guest conductor