SALA Event Center Hosts Star-Studded Oscar Night Party Celebrating Local Heroes Of ‘Oppenheimer’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 15, 2024
- 4:15 pm

Scene from recent Oscar Night Party at SALA Event Center. Courtesy/SALA

SALA News:

SALA Event Center was a spectacle of glamour and celebration as it hosted its second Oscar Night Party, paying tribute to the local talents who contributed to the making of the critically acclaimed movie “Oppenheimer”.

The event was marked by an atmosphere of pride and excitement, particularly because “Oppenheimer” led the Oscar race with 13 nominations, a project that saw significant contributions from the Los Alamos community.

The red carpet welcomed SALA Members, movie extras and locals involved in the production, all dressed in their finest attire to celebrate the movie’s success and their personal contributions. The evening was filled with music, courtesy of the talented Xander Mancino, whose performance added a touch of elegance to the festive ambiance.

SALA owner Allan Saenz expressed a deep sense of pride and connection to the film’s achievements, highlighting the community’s integral role in the movie’s production.

“This evening is not just about the global success of ‘Oppenheimer’ but also about recognizing and celebrating our local community’s contribution to this cinematic masterpiece,” Saenz said.

The event kicked off with the charismatic Jeff Favorite, a local celebrity and movie extra, who brought humor and warmth as the evening’s host. Attendees enjoyed a trivia session about the Oscars and “Oppenheimer”, interspersed with captivating behind-the-scenes stories shared by Leslie Linke, Todd Nickols, Kris Hollis and Liz Martineau.

Highlighting the night were the award presentations, acknowledging the unsung heroes who played pivotal roles behind the scenes and on screen:

Cinematic Support Star Award:

Gordon McDonough
Liz Martineau
Kristen Hollis
Todd Nickols
Kaity Burke
Leslie Linke
Kelly Stewart
Jonathan Creel

Community Contribution to Film Award:

Austin Nichols
Bill Somers
Jackie Dorhout
Matt Bergren
Shane Fogerty
Thomas Tierney
Lauren McDaniel
Jeff Favorite

The celebration reached its peak as “Oppenheimer” clinched 7 Oscar awards, instilling a sense of collective triumph among the attendees. “It felt as though we all won tonight, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our community,” Saenz said.

The SALA Event Center’s Oscar Night Party not only celebrated the international accolades of “Oppenheimer” but also shone a light on the local talents and contributions that helped bring the film to life, reinforcing the bond between the Los Alamos community and the world of cinema.

Scene from recent Oscar Night Party at SALA Event Center. Courtesy/SALA