Everyone who was crossing their fingers in hopes that the Venetian
Opera Ball would turn out well breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday
night as revelers filled the dance floor at The Worthington hotel.
Swimming against an undertow of controversy that has at times
threatened to swamp the Fort Worth Opera, more than 300 patrons of the
art turned out for a happy benefit celebration following a performance
by American tenor Richard Leech.
Many in the crowd were new recruits. No wonder Fort Worth businessman
Whit Smith, the newly elected president of the Opera Association,
was smiling.
Cowtown newcomer Lisa Andresen and AIDS education
advocate Mary Jane Miller led a large gala committee that
included opera boosters such as Greta Beckerman, Cathy Bernell,
Patricia Blackmon, Laura and Milton Bley, ,
Bil Sullivan Jones Butner, Cherry Elliston, Ginger
Head-Gearheart, Cynthia Hammett and Kaye and Robert
Thomas, to name only a few.
Party planner Brice Evans adopted a Venetian theme and a
striking black, red and gold color scheme. Black gondolas adorned with
gold and red Venetian bird-beak masks held the table assignment cards. A
large black mooring post topped with the exotic masks and red and black
feather plumes was the foyer centerpiece.
Lots of people pitched in to make this ball a success.
Community volunteer Terese Moncrief didn't attend the
ball, but she put together centerpieces for each of the 33 tables. Other
volunteers created mobiles of gold-foil birds that hung from the
ceiling. Fabric designer Joe Groves donated custom-printed
fabric that was made into table runners.
Volunteers worked frantically through the afternoon, preparing the
ballroom for the grand soiree. "We couldn’t even get in the door until
after 3 because another group was there," Brice said.
Mary Rogers - Fort Worth Star Telegram
