Travelers checking into the Radisson on Saturday evening, Oct. 8, at 5:30 p.m., were treated to an unexpected delight.
About 30 PCPA students participated in a moving tableau outside the entrance. A chorus burst out with an Italian love song every time someone walked up the red carpet to enter the hotel.
Young ladies with roses in their teeth, young men making romantic overtures—a charming picture indeed.
Two students walked around with old-fashioned street lamps, while four others simulated a seaside feeling by waving flimsy sea blue fabric up and down (much like what was done in My Fairytale).
This enthralled the bus of Austrian tourists that pulled up in time to catch the show. The visitors took lots of pictures, the tour director later told me.
The occasion was PCPA’s annual fundraising gala, which filled the lobby with more than 200 theater lovers and PCPA supporters from Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, Lompoc, and San Luis Obispo.
Songs performed by students and the buzz of serious conversation drifted over the first floor, as ladies in gowns and gents in black tie circulated. A photographer took pictures of couples in a professionally lit area.
Champagne and hors d’oeuvres were served before dinner.
Present and past Philharmonic Society board members Judge Jed and Diane Beebe, Diane Borad-Merkin, and Dr. Richard and Ruth Ann Ontell were among the crowd, as were Hancock prez Jose Ortiz and Carmen.
Judge Royce and Anne Foxworthy Llewellen and Jan and Stu Bartleson were among those enjoying the pre-dinner festivities in the lobby.
PCPA students, staff, and actors mingled with the gala-goers.
The engaging Joan Speirs of Santa Ynez (she raises llamas) arrived in an outfit the wife of a maharajah would wear.
“I always dress in costume,” she told me, conjuring up an image of Aunt Mame.
Dr. Dennis and Franzitka Shepard were in high spirits when they greeted Judy and Hardy Hearn.
Franca Lockard stood in line with Nancy Johnson, who is president of the PCPA Foundation board.
Murder mystery dinner at Addamo estate on Oct. 22
Nighttime Rotary just can’t help itself. The club simply must do something dramatic for its fundraisers.
This year, members persuaded member Principessa Diane Balay to pen Death in Tuscany. The play will be acted out at the Addamo Estate on Clark Road. What a perfecto venue for an Italian period piece drama set in the 1920s!
Royal chefetta, Marchesa Elizabeto Addamo, will prepare the feast that accompanies the sleuthing. Something Italian I suspect will be in the oven. (And Sun staffers Georgia Shore and Ryan Miller will be appearing as suspects.)
Tickets cost $90 (includes food and wine!) and are available by e-mailing janek@russco.com. Period costumes are suggested, but not essential.
Bippity Boppity Boo Ball on Oct. 29
To get the latest skinny on the Discovery Museum’s upcoming, first-ever Bippity Boppity Boo Ball, I hobnobbed by phone with decorating committee chairperson Leigh Collier. She’s in charge of creating an ambience of creepy elegance.
Collier reported that several, huge one-dimensional pumpkin carriages will be featured. You can spot the model for these pumpkins on the charming invitations that went out several weeks ago and on the museum’s website.
Central City Market (Scrumptious Central) will cater “Dinner-by-the Bite.”
Tickets are a mere $50. Vampires welcome, but check your fangs at the door!
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Oct 20-27, 2011.