Soprano Julia Lima. Don't worry, there are more photos later in this post!
Everybody said last Saturday’s Opera Ball was going to be “different” this year. And, take it from me, it was!
It was so much fun that we almost didn’t care when former UT football coach Johnny Majors, an opera buff, came back from checking the TV in the bar to report that the Vols were losing once again. One friend of ours even belly laughed at the news.
But I digress.
Dubbed “A Golden Affair,” the ball transformed Cherokee Country Club‘s ballroom into an elegant 1940s-era supper club with a stage in the center surrounded by round tables. But it was the entertainment that made the evening. Julia Lima, dubbed in the program “an international chanteuse and television star” was a show-stopper (and, I feared, heart stopper!).
In all fairness, she also is a soprano and starred in the Knoxville Opera Company‘s latest production, “Die Fledermaus.” Lima sang beautifully Saturday night, but I can’t for the life of me tell you what the songs were. I won’t soon forget the costumes, though.
The event was a fundraiser for the Knoxville Opera Guild, a group of opera supporters who annually raise more than $100,000 for the Knoxville Opera Company.
The Opera Ball is one of the dressiest events of the year in East Tennessee and I will post pictures of some of the fabulous gowns here. But first, kudos to Opera Ball co-chairs Peter Acly and Mark Hill for taking a somewhat staid and predictable annual event and making it something to remember and talk about. What a great job, guys. We are just kicking off the “ball season” in Knoxville and you have given the rest of them a very high bar by which to be measured.
To set the tone, patrons were greeted by a cute cigarette girl. This is Madeline Veenker. (The cigarettes were candy.)
The pesky paparazzi were there, of course. Actually, this is my buddy Saul Young from the News Sentinel and he's not pesky at all.
You could have your photo professionally taken in a "supper club" setting that was arranged in the sun room. Here are Karen and Brooks Clark. She was in charge of the evening's live auction.
Now, a look at some of the dresses. (I love having this blog — it gives me something fun to do during cocktail hour.)
Kristina LaBerge and Reid Crumpton
My awesome dentist, Dr. Jan Henley
Erin and Taylor Williams
From left, Sheila Hill, Emily Hill and Laura Davis
You are not going to believe this, but the dress on the right is rented! From renttherunway.com. Davis said the company even sends you two sizes in the dress you select to be sure you get the right fit! The dress in the center came from another on-line source: a flash-sale site called ideeli.com. It specializes in providing designer clothes at very deep discounts. And you can send the clothes back for a nominal charge.
Angie Campbell
Melissa and Ron Feinbaum, left, with Tom and Deanene Catani
Donie and Ed Green
Dr. Michelle Brewer
Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly
Jim Lane and Karen Keirstead
Jeff and Lyn Johnson
Betsey Bush
Jerry and Susan Becker
Cathy and Mark Hill
Nancy Wagner
Glo Klarich modeling a coat made from bobcat fur that was available during the silent auction. (I love Glo, but hate fur -- except on animals.)
Then, the ballroom was opened up — and so was the dance floor. This was a departure from “normal” balls around here when, after the silent auction, you go to your table for dinner followed by the live auction.
Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly hit the floor immediately. Don't her nails look great? She gets them done by Shelley Burns at Salon Barnes and Barnes on Market Square.
Harold and Theresa Stone at their table
Joanne and Jay Mounger
One thing you don't have to worry about at Cherokee Country Club is the food, prepared under the direction of Executive Chef David Pinckney.
David Northington, center, of the UT School of Music, with Mary Lynn and Johnny Majors
Milton McNally and Melinda Meador
Doctors Bruce and Shirley Avery
Patricia Robledo and John Craig
And then the show started and Alan decided he sorta liked opera.
Julia Lima
We had a prime table. Thanks, Ellen and Peter.
She's from Russia and said in an interview I read that in that country, singers must be sexy.
Somehow Maestro Brian Salesky managed to keep his eyes on the keyboard.
And then, something for the ladies. Andrew Wentzel, a professor of voice at the UT School of Music and an international opera singer, sang some romantic ballads.
I think Melinda liked that.
As did our friend, Sheena McCall.
Costume change! Julia Lima came back!
Oh, Lord!
We were pretty up close and personal with her.
Whew!
Ken Levine pours Sheena some more wine. After that act, we all needed more wine!
Monroe and Sandra Trout
Flourless chocolate cake with Creme Anglaise was dessert.
Then auctioneer Sam Furrow took the stage for the live auction.
They were discussing a bid. How could he refuse?
Then the dance floor opened back up.
John Kelley and Helen McNabb
Fun!
The band, Patton James and the Synchromatics, kept the hits coming.
Jane Giesler enjoyed the music.
Morton and state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey did their usual great job of facilitating the check-out process.
I went home with this cute little cigar box purse from the silent auction! Love.
As we left, we ran into our friend Jeff Johnson. “If this is what opera is about,” he said, “sign me up!”
You were right about Andrew Wentzel, Cynthia! I could have listened to him sing all night….but then Milton would have missed the floor show.
My vote for best dress: Ellen Robinson’s. It was fab.
My vote for the most fun charity event: the Opera Ball!
Great table, great evening — thanks for coming!
This post perfectly captures the spirit of the
event. VaVoom!
Melinda: I agree about Ellen’s dress! Loved it. Also think the Opera Ball remake was just great. I hope the other non-profits follow suit and raise their games, as well. So tired of the same old thing. Fingers crossed.
Mox, you have me laughing out loud! As we used to say a generation ago, there’s 20 pounds of silicone missing from Oak Ridge and we know where it is.
I am so sorry I couldn’t be there. It looks like it was a lot of fun. Kudos to Mark and Peter!
Oh, Carol, that’s funny! Never heard that one.
Gay: You would have loved it. Can’t wait to see what photo the Opera folks will submit to be in your People and Parties column! May do wonders for newspaper readership!
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Loved the pix of Julia but I just want to congratulate YOU for your statement about FUR! I totally agree but one is often surrounded by dead animals at the opera house, unfortunately. (Our opera house is the Met in NY).
Thank you, Louise.
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