Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2009 > May > 11 > Entry
The art of the Art Ball
Perhaps it’s because they put on shows all year.
Haven Nichols, Bill Nichols
Perhaps because they aren’t as deadly serious about their causes. And they don’t stint on the hospitality.
Shanny Lott, Ryan Street
On balance, Austin arts groups stage more entertaining galas than our social service charities.
Troy Gourrier, AnitaRoberts
Thinking back over the traditional social season, now just ending, the most ecstatic gala was Zach Theatre’s “Red, Hot and Soul” at the Hilton Austin.
Andrea Osborn, Scott Ginder
High points go to the Ballet Austin’s Fete, Blanton Museum of Art’s “Essence of Cool,” Long Center for the Performing Arts first birthday party, Mexic-Arte Museum’s Gala de Plata, UT Performing Arts Center reopening, and the Texas Medal of Arts ceremony, despite its Mississippian length.
Kate Hargrove, Pat Robertson
There was nothing wrong with many other charity affairs — recall Center for Child Protection’s delirious “Dancing with the Stars Austin” — but the artists got the art thing down. It’s a natural advantage.
Kendall Camp, Jon Hamlin
Take Austin Museum of Art’s French-themed Art Ball, which conquered the still-uncertain spaces at UT’s AT&T Conference Center.
Jeff Serra, Carol Olson, Deanna Serra
The lobby was left wide and clear, light filtering in from the tardy dusk. The silent auction of high-quality art was confined to a screened-off portion of the banquet room. (Zach made the same winning choice.)
Kathy Escobedo, Fern Santini, Elaine Demetrion
Then, when dinner was served, the screens withdrew dramatically for the delicious meal (though the carnation-ball centerpieces were lost on me).
Craig Rancourt, Jo Freedman
Mary Margaret Farabee told about the wild character whose gift of Laguna Gloria gave birth to the museum. Later, she and husband Ray accepted the award named in Clara Driscoll’s honor.
Joaquin Avellan, Anne Elizabeth Wynn (yes, the lovers finally make their public debut! It’s a social headline)
In between, a duo of dancers from Blue Lapis performed a dramatic sequence of chiffon-acrobatics to “The Phantom of the Opera” score. I don’t know if it was the indoor setting, the controlled lighting or the intimacy with the audience, but Sally Jacques’ artists never were so riveting performing in short form.
Corey Fields, Alicia Carlin, Kellie Carlin
It was a glorious evening, set off by the presence and generosity of Jean and Dan Rather. Always an extra tingle when they are home in Austin.
Nancy Scanlan, Susan Apsinell Block
At times, the gala seemed like a meeting of the Fortunate 500.
Gloria Adkins, Bobby Adkins
And look who showed up! Stephen Moser (below) spirited and frisky from his previous social commitment at the Mobile Loaves and Fishes gala, which I just couldn’t squeeze into my schedule.
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