As an event planner, it’s hard not to consider venues in terms of their capacity and cost. And, when you are well acquainted with an event space, you can’t help but take its amenities for granted.

For example, I know how cold it is when you arrive at the Memorial Auditorium (as early as the Convention Center staff). I can point out all of the electrical outlets and I know what your feet feel like after you’ve spent hours scurrying across the concrete floors.

That being said…I feel like I owe my old friend, the Memorial, an apology.

While it may not be state-of-the-art, the Memorial Auditorium has a mystique that is missing from most contemporary venues. Last night, Natalie Cole and the Memorial Auditorium were simply…unforgettable.

Volunteers greeted event sponsors at an exclusive pre-concert reception. Prior to taking their dinner seats, they were treated to live entertainment, wine and appetizers provided by the Paragary Restaurant Group. Hope Productions, a Sacramento-based non-profit, pulled this elite group of guests together for Hope in Harmony, a benefit concert featuring Louie Anderson and headlined by Natalie Cole.  

I spent a few minutes backstage with Kitty O’Neal and Louie Anderson before the show. Kitty raved about Louie to the crowd before she introduced him. Meanwhile, Louie tried to remember if they had ever met. He was sure they had done a radio show together. I reminded Louie of her name, he meowed (literally) and took the stage saying Kitty in a way that only Louie Anderson could.

Louie’s set focused largely on butter, a substance with which he admittedly has a lot of experience. And, like butter, Louie had mass appeal. The crowd laughed as soon as he started talking and they didn’t stop until he thanked them all for coming.

In between acts, I tried to imagine growing up with the legendary Nat “King” Cole. For the first time, I realized I was about to see an icon.  

I was stunned when Natalie finally graced the stage. She was breathtaking.

It only took one look around the room to see that everyone adored her. Her melodies truly moved the crowd.

When I got home, I did a little research on Natalie’s past. I still can’t believe she is almost 60 years old. And, you would have never known she was recovering from a recent kidney transplant. She looked remarkable in her black and white gown. She was in the best shape of her life.

The Hope Productions staff should take a bow.

From the red carpet crowd to Natalie’s rendition of ‘Walkin’ My Baby Back Home’, the event felt flawless.

Proceeds from Hope in Harmony will benefit several local youth charities including KidsFirst, Roberts Family Development Center and Special Olympics of Northern California.

Hope Productions provides fundraising & marketing resources at no charge to strengthen nonprofit organizations and benefit local children & youth programs. They do this through developing sustainable, large-scale and profitable community events that can be easily supported through a variety of partnerships. For more information about this organization, visit hopeproductions.org.