Cathi Hatch: 20 Years and Still Rockin'

Denny Miller with Sue & Jim Bianco

Last night, I attended the 20th Anniversary Celebration of CTI (Cell Therapeutics, Inc.) at the Paramount Theatre. Friends, staff and associates of CTI donned their best rock and roll attire and came to get their party on with great cocktails, dinner and dancing.

CTI CEO Jim Bianco and his wife Sue, greeted all the arriving guests during the cocktail party while the guests were entertained with an Elvis impersonator who crooned to the crowd with a fantastic voice. At the ice bar was a special blue drink that was delivered via an impressive ice luge so arrived in the martini glass totally icy cold. It was absolutely delicious! The bartender said it contained volka, blue curacao and grapefruit juice.

Sue Bianco, Cathi Hatch, Heather Sandoval

A few of the guests included Denny Miller, well-known lobbyist who flew in from Washington D.C. for the party as well as Michael Kunath, Heather & Michael Sandoval, JJ McKay, Pam & Peter Schmitt, Jeff Roe, Celestia Higano & Jack Singer, Christina Orr-Cahall, Lou Bianco, John Bauer & Maryel Duzan, Kate Harrison, Connie Blumenthal, Matt Walters, Jerry & Sherry Henke, Bernt & Elizabeth Bodal, and Phil & Sandy Nudelman.

It was a collaboration of two great chefs, Chef in the Hat, Thierry Rautureau and Tom Douglas. Each prepared part of the dinner. Thierry presented the appetizer which was a smoked duck salad with balsamic jam and roasted apple while Tom presented the entree with included an Oregon Bavette Rib Steak with vegetable succotash along with tarragon and fennel and yukon gold potatoes. The dessert was Tom's fantastic Triple Coconut Cream Pie. Yum!

Michael Sandoval, Ken Hatch, NIcholas Danieledes

Even Ken (the well-known party curmudgeon) raved about what a great party it was and how much he liked the music! The Gregg Rolie Band really had the whole place shaking. He was the original lead singer for Santana and a Founding member of the group and is now in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Other favorite moments of the evening included when the stage and lighting was "revealed" for the band, how the old world elegance of the Paramount Theatre was juxtaposed with bright orange tablecloths and modern chairs and lighting, and the very real appearing video performance by a Michelle Obama impersonator.

Each guest departed with a beautifully custom-etched, CTI-branded bottle of Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain 2008 red wine to toast CTI's future.