The Ladies of Aspen
supplied by Christine Aubale Gerschel
Les Dames founder and president Christine Aubale Gerschel with Lita Warner Heller, who, as President of the Board of Ballet West (now Aspen Santa Fe Ballet), asked Gerschel to start Les Dames as a fundraiser for the ballet.
Christine Aubale Gerschel is a legendary Aspen dame. In fact, it’s part of her job description. As a founder and current president and executive director of Les Dames d’Aspen, the very French Gerschel has brought the true Gallic meaning of the word dame (“lady”) to bear in the whole demeanor of one of Aspen’s must-join arts groups. “The most rewarding thing about it is really working with the community, Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley,” says Gerschel, “and to know we’re doing something great for all the beneficiaries we have here.”
Celebrating its 25th anniversary last year, Les Dames have, to date, raised more than $2.75 million for Roaring Fork Valley arts organizations and scholarships and are longtime supporters of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, their mission from the start. They have also introduced countless newly arrived women to valley society and its numerous nonprofits. “I really enjoy the camaraderie of everyone I’ve worked with, and I’ve made new friends all over,” Gerschel notes. “And it is a fantastic feeling to help so many other people meet new people.”
In 1983, Gerschel was asked by arts doyenne Lita Heller, president of the then Ballet West board, to start an organization to raise funds for them. Gerschel was president of Les Dames de Ballet for three years and in 1985, with Joanie Bracken Bain, made the organization autonomous as Les Dames d’Aspen. Gerschel, who is married to longtime local Peter Dahl, remained active with Les Dames and signed on again as president in 2002.
She soon began offering monthly and eventually weekly events for members during the high seasons—typical Aspen pastimes, but with a flair. They include private lectures, guided ski days, golf outings, wine tastings, special gallery shows, seating at concerts and dinners at homes, private clubs and restaurants. Many of the events are as simple and down-to-earth as a horseback ride or day-hike and a picnic—but done someplace special, such as up a trail with access through a private ranch. And most are open to spouses.
Says Gerschel of her work to keep Les Dames vital: “Every year, some members don’t rejoin and new ones replace them. People’s
priorities change, they move, they have family concerns. But no one ever leaves Les Dames because they didn’t have fun.”
As with all of the local nonprofits, Les Dames’ challenge in today’s economy is to be able to continue to support its causes at the same level as they have in the past. In 2008, Les Dames distributed a total of $153,000. Of the first $100,000 they raise, 80 percent goes to the ballet. The rest is divided among the Aspen Writers’ Foundation, Theatre Aspen and scholarships awarded in Aspen and Basalt schools. After $100,000, the Aspen Music Festival and School receives up to $5,000 to provide a local scholarship plus an additional $1,000 for its Robert Harth Memorial Fund, and Jazz Aspen Snowmass gets up to $5,000 to buy musical instruments for Roaring Fork schools.
“Now it is especially important to support the arts,” Gerschel stresses. “It is maybe easier to do when the economy is better, but they need us the most right now.” And because humans in turn need the arts, that culture is a big part of what attracts visitors to Aspen. As Gerschel observes, “I think ballet is important to Aspen and the economy of Aspen.” She estimates that Les Dames 2009 membership is down about 10 percent. And Aspen Santa Fe Ballet in general finds itself competing harder for fewer dollars.
Still, Gerschel remains optimistic. “I’m so pleased Les Dames have lasted this long. I’m trying hard to be innovative and to keep our events inexpensive and keep everyone involved. And, actually, it is better than I expected so far this year.” Fund raising this January was more successful than January of ’08, memberships have held at $1,200 annually ($600 for juniors under 45), and Gerschel points out that they host one of the least expensive and best attended annual galas.
The ladies of Aspen have always taken the lead in promoting culture and the arts in the valley, from the mining days of Mrs. Henry Gillespie and Baby Doe Tabor through Elizabeth Paepcke to Lita Heller and Mary Hayes. With the continued community support that has made them so successful, Christine Gerschel and a group of classy dames—that is to say, Les Dames—will maintain one of Aspen’s oldest and most enriching traditions. Anyone interested in joining can contact Christine Aubale Gerschel at 970.925.9028.
