Bravo!” Santa Maria Philharmonic Society executive director George Majoue shouted con brio (that’s music speak for “with vigor”). It was at the end of world-class concert pianist Kirill Gliadkovsky’s program Saturday evening, Jan. 22, at the Santa Maria Country Club.
Bravo indeed, George! The Philharmonic Society proved once more that Santa Maria is no slouch when it comes to culture. Gliadkovsky played Schubert, Grieg, Lizst, and Gershwin on a Steinway piano transported from Los Angeles for the occasion. He performed after the traditional cocktail hour, dinner, and live auction.
The 87 attendees, who paid $100 a ticket for the Philharmonic’s annual fundraising dinner called Ivories on the Green, responded with a standing ovation.
Gliadkovsky’s energetic, rousing performance brought the audience to its feet several times. It was truly an exceptional evening.
There is little in life that is sweeter than hearing a world-class classical pianist play Gershwin. I have traveled from Santa Maria to the Hollywood Bowl for that pleasure. To think that the Philharmonic brought this experience to the small group of 87 at the country club—all I can say is wow and thanks con amore (with love).
Also subject to rave reviews were the Country Club’s kitchen, assistant catering manager Linda Johnson and bar staffer Denise Blair. There was widespread enthusiasm for the generous portions of filet mignon wrapped in bacon, twice-baked potatoes, vegetables, salad, and dessert of berries with whipped cream. The other entrée option was nut-encrusted haddock, which was fab. I don’t think I ever saw so many dinner plates wiped clean at a dinner.
The fortissimo (music speak for “forceful”) auctioneer Jim “I put action in your auction” Glines, assisted by emcee Majoue, raised a respectable sum of money during a live auction. They pulled in more than an additional $7,000 when they invited attendees to sponsor a musician or symphony section chair for the current season. The first 24 sponsors to pledge $500 or more received a “thank you” bottle of Llewellyn wine.
Santa Marians do care. Roger and Alice Flocken told me they work on the Philharmonic’s music van, which brings music education to the schools.
“It’s a hoot,” Alice commented. “You can’t be educated without being exposed to the arts.”
The board member in charge of the music van is Diane Borad-Merkin, who looked dazzling in a long, sequined dress. Another fashionable dazzler was the irrepressible Audrey Mussel, who looked adorable in a net top festooned with flowers and one of her signature hats.
Other board members in the crowd were Evie Dykema, Tamara Gaussoin, and Dr. Richard Ontell.
Former board member Charles Schimmel was among the joyous attendees, as were Chuck and Joanne Mertz, Franklin and Anne Laemmlen, and John and Karen Ransome.
Everyone had their choice of one of those flashing gizmos that you pin on your lapel with a tie tack. These were in the shape of music notes, instruments, and scales. Lots of fun.
Valentine’s Day Barbecue at Tres Hermanas
Celebrate the day before Valentine’s Day at the Tres Hermanas Winery. Tickets cost $35 per ticket. The Santa Maria Valley Humane Society is having a tri-tip barbecue dinner on Feb. 13 at Marvin and Paulette Teixeira’s winery on Foxen Canyon Road. Call 937-8451 or the Humane Society at
349-3435 for tickets. Valley Roads will play for dancing.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 4, 2010.