The melodious Coastal Voices, a choral group of about 20, sang during dinner at an Italian-themed event on Saturday evening, June 27, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the handsome St. Andrew Church hall on Bradley Way.
The fundraiser featured a meal—bruschetta, spaghetti, salad, biscotti, and tiramisu—and nonstop music. Food and entertainment, plus a silent auction and bake sale—all for a mere $15. About 100 Santa Marians enjoyed the evening.
Coastal Voices, led by artistic director Margaret Nelson, came together twice, each time for two songs from the ’30s, accompanied by pianist Linda McCutcheon.
The rest of the time, various members of the group sang solos, mostly music from the ’30s and thereabouts. When soprano Rebecca McCracken let loose with “Que Sera, Sera,” to her delight, everyone joined in the chorus. Rebecca, it must be noted, made the biscotti, bruschetta, and tiramisu—all worthy of praise.
Before the silent auction closed and the evening ended, the group sang “Moonglow” and “I’ll Be Seeing You.”
PCPA Foundation board president Nancy Johnson sat next to music buff and musician Judge Jed Beebe and his wife Diane. I shared a table with board member Julie Coleman and husband Jim, who donated a basket of Shaklee cleaning products.
Another Coastal Voices board member, the amiable jeweler Jerry Stinn, was on hand to cheer on his wife, Coastal Voices member Lynda Gantt, who did a sparkling rendition of “Embraceable You.”
The always-generous Jerry gave several pieces of his jewelry for the silent auction. Included in the loot were two rings new to his collection (at least I hadn’t seen them before): lovely sterling silver forms enfolding rectangular-shaped freshwater pearls. These are the kind of rings you might encounter in a shop in Carmel or La Jolla—very sophisticated and lovely.
Jerry was particularly jazzed that day because a museum in Arkansas recently expressed interest in carrying his jewelry. His signature pieces are sold in many museums around the country, including the Museum of Art in Santa Barbara.
His good friend, potter Bill Shinn (in Canada for a workshop), joined in the fun by donating a large, Tuscan-looking vase for the silent auction.
I was delighted to chat with the always-smiling Janet Davila, who is a nurse in Marian’s maternity ward and can be counted on for an update on what’s going on in baby land.
The vivacious Marian Marriman, who still fits in her World War II Army uniform, told me that she attended the 65th anniversary of D-Day in Santa Barbara and had her picture taken with everybody. This lady is a hoot.
Adding some spice to the evening was the appearance of a music group called Bright Morning Star, organized and led by Nipomo’s dynamic Jeanne Dickey. This spirited foursome played and sang in between solo performances by the choir.
Among the instruments in the Bright Morning Star repertoire are a banjo, fiddle, and autoharp. The performers play and sing gospel and mountain music with a bluegrass touch.
For more information about hiring Bright Morning Star, call Dickey at 929-1890.
If you long to let loose (vocally) in some place other than the shower, call board president (and soprano) Marianne Greenelsh for info about Coastal Voices at 937-3416.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo
This article appears in Jul 16-23, 2009.