Cowboy boots met cocktail dresses, and bolos topped black suits at the "Boots and Bandanas" gala at the Millennium Center on April 29. A fundraiser for the University of North Carolina School of the Arts that paid homage to "Oklahoma!" the gala featured a "down-home" menu, theater-inspired auction baskets and several famous faces including Andie McDowell, Joan Roberts and Celeste Holm.
"It's a little bit cocktail, a little bit boots," said Priscella Perry, attending with her daughter, Hadley, Brian Pacheco and her husband, Ernest, the auctioneer for the gala. "We had a lot of fun shopping for our outfits."
Betsy Whaling, a member of the steering committee, chatted with Gail Citron and Dr. Lou Gottlieb before dinner began. The trio agreed that "Oklahoma!" is a special event for Winston-Salem.
"This is an unbelievable production," Citron said. "We are so lucky to live in this city."
After dinner, gala guests walked over to the Stevens Center for a musical evening of farmers, cowmen and unrequited love. After a rousing three hours of song, dance and outstanding performances by UNCSA cast members, a surprise announcement by John Mauceri brought Joan Roberts and Celeste Holm, the original Broadway Laurey and Ado Annie, respectively, to the stage for an impromptu birthday serenade for Holm.
"Today is the 94th birthday for Celeste Holm," Mauceri said. "We are thrilled that she is here for tonight's performance along with Joan Roberts and Gemze de Lappe."
Stephen Schwartz Project
A famous composer was the man of the hour on April 23 when the No Rules Theatre Company presented The Stephen Schwartz Project at Hanesbrands Theatre. A benefit for No Rules, the evening included a pre-performance reception where guests enjoyed wine, cheese and conversation.
"This theater company offered for our fifth-graders at Arts-Based Elementary to see the production of 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' earlier this year, so I wanted to come and support them in this production," said Claire O'Boyle, attending with husband, Liam, and children Frances, Lana and Calum. "The girls dance, and we perform in dramas at our church, so I guess you could say this type of event is in our blood."
Britton Sear, 12, and Caleb Winig, 9, attended with their mothers, Jill Sear and Ruthie Winig.
"I like to support the arts," said Britton, who was dapper in a jaunty hat and coordinating vest. "I used to sing with the Youth Choir, and I just finished in the top twelve in Triad Idol."
Seth Robinette, 11, was preparing to play in his first all-night concert with the Moravian churches that host the annual Sunrise Service at Old Salem.
"Seth and I worked at the RiverRun film festival and heard about this and wanted to come," said Keith Robinette. "We've been cleaning gravestones today at God's Acre, so this is a nice way to relax."
"We feel so blessed that this company wants to perform in Winston-Salem," said J.D. Wilson. "A lot of them are graduates of the School of the Arts, and they love coming back here."
Empty Bowls
The 10th anniversary of the Empty Bowls fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank showcased the talents of hundreds of ceramic artists. Beginning with a gala on April 26 and continuing with a luncheon on April 27, the two events raised more than $80,000 for Second Harvest, an organization that provides food for thousands of people each year.
"This is our premier fundraising event," said Tammy Caudill. "This year, we have more than 1,200 bowls donated by local artists and students. In addition, we're introducing a new cookbook from the Triad Community Kitchen."
Guests to the luncheon enjoyed a soup and salad bar and were served by local celebrities who included political figures, corporate leaders and media personalities. Each guest received a bowl of their choice along with their lunch, and Daisy Rodriguez of Second Harvest said every dollar raised would provide seven meals.
"In North Carolina, one in four children under the age of 5 are going hungry," Rodriguez said. "Our state is number six in the entire nation, and Winston-Salem is third in the entire country. A big part of what we do is awareness because people don't realize there is a lot of hunger right here in our backyard."
Contact special correspondent Cindy Hodnett at 830-1896 or cwhodnett@aol.com.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement