Havana heat: Hot night at the Copa

Rockettes not

No threat to the Rockettes! Enjoying themselves in a kick-line at the Opera Ball were, from left, Douglas Clark, Dino Cartwright, Mark Hill, Orchestra Leader Brad Walker, Peter Acly, Alan Carmichael and Dan Chips. Photo by Pamela Chips.

I have to hand it to the fun folks at the Knoxville Opera Guild: They are nothing if not flexible!

They built the whole theme of this year’s Opera Ball, held last Saturday at Cherokee Country Club, around the fact that the entertainment would be an internationally acclaimed Cuban soprano, Maria Aleida. Unfortunately, Aleida canceled due to another professional opportunity. But that did not change the “hot Havana night” theme. The Opera just substituted a talented Puerto Rican soprano, Zulimar Lopez-Hernandez, and the spicy tropical party continued as planned.

And what a party it was!

It was great seeing the ladies of the Knoxville Symphony League at the Opera Gala! From left, Jane Venable, Betsey Bush, Sandra Butler, Donie Green and Stacy Moody.

It was great seeing the ladies of the Knoxville Symphony League at the Opera Gala! From left, Jane Venable, Betsey Bush, Sandra Butler, Donie Green and Stacy Moody.

 

Jerry and Susan Becker at the cocktail reception.

Jerry and Susan Becker at the cocktail reception.

From left, Amy Williams, Cindi DeBusk and Kay Clayton during cocktails.

From left, Amy Williams, Cindi DeBusk and Kay Clayton during cocktails.

 

"Copa girls" Dallas Norton, left, and Sarah Fitch, right, posed with Maestro Brian Salesky and his wife, Diana, in the lobby.

“Copa girls” Dallas Norton, left, and Sarah Fitch, right, posed with Maestro Brian Salesky and his wife, Diana, in the lobby.

From left, Ellen Robinson, Peter Acly, Rosemary Gilliam and Alan Carmichael.

From left, Ellen Robinson, Peter Acly, Rosemary Gilliam and Alan Carmichael.

 

From left, Theresa Stone, Doug McKamey and Anna Hinds

From left, Theresa Stone, Doug McKamey and Anna Hinds

Pamela and Dan Chips during the cocktail reception and silent auction

Pamela and Dan Chips during the cocktail reception and silent auction

 

It was a festive crowd!

It was a festive crowd!

 

Meanwhile, in the Country Club's pub, some folks had slipped away to check on the Tennessee-Missouri football scores. That group included Johnny and Mary Lynn Majors.

Meanwhile, in the Country Club’s pub, some folks had slipped away to check on the Tennessee-Missouri football scores. That group included Johnny and Mary Lynn Majors.

And Charles and Nancy Wagner

And Charles and Nancy Wagner

The opera's PR guy, Michael Torano, took his turn posing with Sarah Fitch of the Copa!

The opera’s PR guy, Michael Torano, took his turn posing with Sarah Fitch of the Copa!

Dorothy Stair, left, with her son, City Councilman Marshall Stair, and his date, Natalie Robinson

Dorothy Stair, left, with her son, City Councilman Marshall Stair, and his date, Natalie Robinson

Eden Betz and Chris Bishop in the dining room prior to dinner

Eden Betz and Chris Bishop in the dining room prior to dinner

 

Kim Henry, the chair of the Ball Committee, and Caesar Stair III, president of the Knoxville Opera Guild

Kim Henry, the chair of the Ball Committee, and Caesar Stair III, president of the Knoxville Opera Guild

 

The dancing started right away -- even before dinner -- with Laura and Shelton Davis leading the way!

The dancing started right away — even before dinner — with Laura and Shelton Davis leading the way!

The simple, elegant centerpieces were for sale for $25 each.

The simple, elegant centerpieces were for sale for $25 each.

 

Reflecting the Havana theme, the salad had tropical elements: mixed baby greens were topped with mangos, oranges, grape tomatoes, key lime vinaigrette, Manchego cheese and toasted almonds.

Reflecting the Havana theme, the salad had tropical elements: mixed baby greens were topped with mangos, oranges, grape tomatoes, key lime vinaigrette, Manchego cheese and toasted almonds.

 

Music by the Brad Walker Orchestra was perfect for the supper club atmosphere. From left are Jack Funari, Ken Jackson and Tom Johnson.

Music by the Brad Walker Orchestra was perfect for the supper club atmosphere. From left are Jack Funari, Ken Jackson and Tom Johnson.

Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly hit the dance floor often!

Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly hit the dance floor often!

 

Dancer Joanne Holt with orchestra leader Brad Walker.

Dancer Joanne Holt with orchestra leader Brad Walker.

 

Dr. Joe Johnson, president emeritus of the University of Tennessee, was honorary chair of the ball. He is flanked by his wife, Pat, and Chris Williams.

Dr. Joe Johnson, president emeritus of the University of Tennessee, was honorary chair of the ball. He is flanked by his wife, Pat, and Chris Williams, of the Knoxville Opera staff.

 

Anne and Jake LeZotte were looking great at the Pilot Flying J table.

Anne and Jake LeZotte were looking great at the Pilot Flying J table.

 

So were Jamie and Peter Tarbell.

So were Jamie and Peter Tarbell.

Jessica and Josh Phillips were at the same table.

Jessica and Josh Phillips were at the same table.

 

Pilot's Kimberly Linebaugh was there with her fiance, John Billings.

Pilot’s Kimberly Linebaugh was there with her fiance, John Billings.

 

Get a load of this dinner! Grilled aged filet with Zaya rum demi glaze, Cuban black beans and rice, red peppers and zucchini and (drum roll!) an oven roasted lobster tail. Yum.

Get a load of this dinner! Grilled aged filet with Zaya rum demi glaze, Cuban black beans and rice, red peppers and zucchini and (drum roll!) an oven roasted lobster tail. Yum.

More table-hopping turned up Doug and Jane McCarty.

More table-hopping turned up Doug and Jane McCarty.

Dr. Michelle Brewer

Dr. Michelle Brewer

 

Nick and Rebecca Cazana

Nick and Rebecca Cazana

 

Mark and Cathy Hill

Mark and Cathy Hill

 

And then the floor show started! These dancers are Waldo Solano and Jacqueline Sellers of Salsa Knox Dance Company.

And then the floor show started! These dancers are Waldo Solano and Jacqueline Sellers of Salsa Knox Dance Company.

 

Opera singer Sergio Cepeda paid special attention to my table mate, Ellen Robinson. She loved it!

Opera singer Sergio Cepeda paid special attention to my table mate, Ellen Robinson. She loved it!

Soprano Zulimar Lopez-Hernandez did a great job, too.

Soprano Zulimar Lopez-Hernandez did a great job, too.

 

Dessert was sour cream coconut cake with chocolate ganache.

Dessert was sour cream coconut cake with chocolate ganache.

Dino Cartwright always does a great job as auctioneer. Kudos to the Opera Guild for keeping the live auction short -- five items. (Most are way too long. Ask anybody!)

Dino Cartwright always does a great job as auctioneer. Kudos to the Opera Guild for keeping the live auction short — five items. (Most are way too long. Ask anybody!)

Soon the music started again. Here's Ken Jackson.

Soon the music started again. Here’s Ken Jackson.

 

The dance floor immediately filled up.

The dance floor immediately filled up.

 

Gay Lyons and Dennis Perkins

Gay Lyons and Dennis Perkins

 

We said goodbye to Bill and Susan Morris as we left.

We said goodbye to Bill and Susan Morris as we left.

Great event, everyone! I thought you couldn’t top last year’s, but you proved me wrong. (Click here for a reminder of last year’s Opera Ball.)

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10 Responses to Havana heat: Hot night at the Copa

  1. Alan Carmichael, on November 6th, 2013 at 6:35 pm said:

    Chorus lines are dangerous!

  2. Melinda Meador, on November 6th, 2013 at 8:15 pm said:

    Beautiful party! Sorry we had to miss it this year.

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on November 7th, 2013 at 12:23 am said:

    Alan: Very funny! I seriously worried about you guys falling over!

    Melinda: We missed you all! Next year?

  4. Ellen Robinson, on November 7th, 2013 at 10:55 am said:

    What an AB FAB evening! I agree with you Cyn, the Guild knows how to throw a party. The tropical touches were fantastic — the professional dancers blew me away! It was a lovely evening — mustaches and all. Melinda, missed you this year — you would hve loved it!

  5. Alan Carmichael, on November 7th, 2013 at 6:22 pm said:

    Headed to orthopaedic rehab!

  6. Rusha Sams, on November 7th, 2013 at 8:24 pm said:

    What a festive affair! Great pics showing fashions, food, and all that fun!

  7. Peter Acly, on November 7th, 2013 at 9:28 pm said:

    What a great evening! And Cynthia, you managed to capture it perfectly.

    As far as the kick-line photo is concerned, I’d like to make it very clear that I am NOT actually falling down, even though it may appear that way to some.

    Lot of fun, and thanks to all who participated! See you next year.
    Peter

  8. Gay Lyons, on November 7th, 2013 at 10:58 pm said:

    Much fun–I was happy to be there.

  9. Cynthia Moxley, on November 8th, 2013 at 8:18 am said:

    Thanks, Rusha! You and Bert would have loved it!

    Peter: If one of you had gone down, the whole bunch would have ended in a heap on the floor! Glad that didn’t happen!

    Glad you were there, Gay. Looking forward to reading about it in People and Parties.

  10. Diana Salesky, on November 11th, 2013 at 6:09 pm said:

    Cynthia, Thank you so much for the wonderful article, as well as the incredibly generous contribution you and Alan made to the education fund. Brian and I are most appreciative! And we’ll try to keep Peter in line (no pun intended) next year.

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