An EPIC(urean) Night with Portland Ovations
A big THANK YOU to all who came out to support Ovations Offstage at our 15th Annual Epicurean Auction Benefit last night. As one of the Ovations’ staff, I can tell you that this is an event that takes lots of hard work and months of planning, but seeing it all come together in an evening of food, fun and merriment makes it all worthwhile. The company was exceptional (more than 250 people came out to support artists working in our community), the food divine (the aromas of 14 different restaurants was intoxicating to say the least), and the silent auction items desirable (Art! Freshwater pearls! Coach bag!) Excited conversation mingled with the superb instrumentals of Jonathan Cooper and Tom Whitefield of the 317 Main Street Community Music Center in Yarmouth (Ovations’ collaborator in our March 2011 Mark O’Connor residency) to create a lively and entertaining atmosphere.
At the close of the silent auction, Freeport pianist Wilson Bristol (a featured artist in Ovations’ 2010 presentation of From the Top) played guests onto the Merrill Stage where they topped off their gustatory extravaganza with gourmet coffee and chocolate truffles while sitting down to our live auction. Flanked by color commentators (Ovations board members Michael Boyson and Felicia Knight), auctioneer Gordie Holmes sold to the highest bidder unique items such as a dinner and tour at the Cumberland County Jail (aka “The Gray Bar Hotel”), a gorgeous amethyst bracelet, and progressive dinner and dessert at Evangeline and Bresca.
The proceeds from last night are vital to sustaining Ovations Offstage, our education and outreach programs, and none of it would have been possible without the hard work of our diligent volunteers, dedicated board members (a big shout-out to Epicurean Co-Chairs Patti Roderick and April Ylvisaker), the many generous businesses that provided Underwriting support and auction items, city of Portland staff, and of course the FABULOUS restaurants who participated: 157 Café, Azure Café, Bibo’s Madd Apple Café, Black Point Inn, Coffee by Design, The Corner Room, The Front Room and The Grill Room, David’s, Dean’s Sweets, Foreside Tavern, Grace, The Good Table, Havana South, Marché and the Nonantum Resort.
Thank you to all!!!
