SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK The Opera Ball
Here is the update on the recent social scene. Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted. Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown. Michigan Opera Theatre’s Opera Ball Electricity was in the air at the Detroit Opera House the night the 2014 Opera Ball launched the Sally Gerak three-day Opera Weekend Spectacular. The 44th MOT season opener – Strauss’s Greek mythology-based opera “Elektra”inspired the co-chairs’ decision to put a Mediterranean spin on the décor and the menu. The latter was even catered by the Greek Kokas family’s Opus One. The 315 beautiful people in the dinner crowd ($600 ticket) socialized, sipped and smooched before adjourning to the platform constructed over the theater seats while the OPA! party for the younger set (300; $100 ticket) proceeded in the balcony boxes. Before dinner Dan Stall conducted a spirited live auction of nine items that raised a not too shabby $72,400. After dinner MOT founder David DiChiera thanked lots of people, including presenting sponsor Ford Fund’s Jim Vella and opera lover Elaine Fontana who sponsored superstar soprano Christine Goerkes appearance in all four Detroit performances. Standing Os were accorded DiChiera and the six co-chairs – Gretchen & Ethan Davidson, Elanah & Rick Hunger and Karen & Rick Williams. Then Ben Sharkey and his musicians commandeered the stage and made dance music until midnight. The ball raised more than $580,000 for MOT. Two opera performances and Family Sunday backstage tours rounded out the weekend.
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5 6 1. Co-chairs Rick & Elanah Hunger of Sylvan Lake, Gretchen & Ethan Davidson of Birmingham, Karen & Rick Williams of Bloomfield 2. David DiChiera of Detroit, Sandra Seligman of Bloomfield 3. Maryann Cromwell (left) and Elaine Fontana of Bloomfield 4. Cabaret singer Carole J. Bufford of NYC, Cabaret 313 founders Allan Nachman of Bloomfield and Sandi Reitelman of Birmingham 5. Gordy (left) & Katie Coleman of Bloomfield, Barbara Bowman & Ham Schirmer of Birmingham 6. Julia and Steve Cosgrove of Birmingham 7. Sarah Jackson (left) of Bloomfield, Barbara Brown of Beverly Hills, Felicia Shaw, Ruthie Seltzer and Karen Gaudette of Birmingham 8. Peter Strumbos of Birmingham, Christine (left) and Cate Strumbos of Bloomfield 9. Victor and Michelle Saroki 10. Marta & John Schaefer of Birmingham
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Cabaret 313 On Saturday night, the centerpieces from the Friday Gala Opera Ball were used to decorate the tables in Detroit Opera House’s Boll Hall for Cabaret 313. It followed the opening night performance of Strauss’s horror-filled tale of murder and revenge and attracted 175 music lovers. MOT president Wayne Brown warmly welcomed them, suggesting that cabaret founders Sandi Reitelman and Allan Nachman consider the opera house their second home. The show starred Carole J. Bufford, one of the rising cabaret superstars, in her show “Shades of Blue.” She was accompanied by NYC pianist Nate Buccieri and legendary Detroit bassist Marion Hayden. Among those giving them a standing ovation were the Bud Leiblers, Rich Hombergs, Shelley Taubers, Bob Allesees, Joanne Danto & Arnie Winegarden, Barbara Van Dusen and Hillary Brody. The next Cabaret 313 is Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Marlene Boll Theatre in the Downtown YMCA. It will star Giada Valenti in her show “From Venice With Love.” For more information and tickets, go to cabaret313.org. Camp Mak-a-Wish Cookies n’ Dreams A camp founded in 1991 by Sylvia and the late Harry Granader, who donated 87 acres of their Montana ranch plus seed money for a sick kids camp, enjoys strong local support. Some of that devotion is in memory of late board member Dr. Tony Jacob, who was passionate in his support of Camp Mak-aWish. Five hundred of those supporters attended the annual cookie contest/camp fundraiser at Somerset Collection North chaired by Jacob’s daughter and son-in-law Cathy and Nate Forbes. The scene is a real happening as children squeal and frolic with their friends sampling cookies, getting their faces painted, eating hot dogs, doing crafts, dancing with Star Trax, watching performers from Detroit Circus and getting their pictures taken with Cookie Monster. They also voted for several different cookie categories. Designer Dough won Best Tasting, Celebrity Choice and Favorite Camp Cookie; Lil’ Monica’s won Healthiest; Cookie Cool Cookie Company won Most Unusual & Creative; Eskimo Jacks and Market Basket tied for Most Indulgent. The event raised $130,000, which will enable Michigan children and young adults with cancer to spend a carefree week cost free at the medically supervised camp in Gold Creek, Montana.
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