Those attending a recent fundraiser for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra were treated to the sounds of the Imperial Courts of Russia.
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s annual Maestro’s Ball was held on Sept. 6 at the Alys Stephens Center.
The Maestro’s Ball, hosted by Nancy and Ray Watts, raised more than $700,000 to support the ASO’s artistic, educational and outreach programs.
Guests enjoyed a champagne reception in the ASC lobby before a concert in the Jemison Concert Hall.
The concert featured the sounds of the Imperial Courts of Russia with a classical repertoire selected by Maestro Justin Brown.
After the concert, guests gathered for dinner on the ASC grounds under a sprawling tent covered with jewel tone fabric. The tent, lit to set an amber tone by Alex Garmin and his team at AG Lighting, was decorated with colored mercury glass vases filled with homegrown dahlias as well as other flowers provided by Sybil Sylvester of Wildflower Designs.
In keeping with the theme, the centerpiece was an ice sculpture of St. Basil’s Cathedral designed by Ice by Design.
Guests enjoyed a four-course meal created by Idie and Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club. The dinner included deviled quail eggs with Alabama caviar, Hot and Hot’s tomato salad and grilled chicken breasts with McEwen and Sons grits, white peach, figs, muscadines and verjus. The final course was a raspberry and white chocolate bread pudding with Crème Chantilly.
On hand to capture the highlights of the evening was Arden Ward of Arden Ward Photography.
Kelly Fitzpatrick was the chairman of the 2013 Maestro’s Ball. Committee members included Dalton Blankenship, Dell Brooke, Maggie Brooke, Penney Hartline, Tricia Holbrook, Sheryl Kimerling, Rupa Kitchens, Lynn LaRussa, Connie McCallum, Tabatha McCallum, Harriet McFadden, Penny Page, Sherry Perry, Lynn Ritchie, Carolanne Roberts, Sybil Sylvester, Ellen Walker and Beth Williams.
Jim Gorrie chaired the 2013 Corporate Committee. Other committee members included Dell Brooke, Dixon Brooke, David Brown, Mike Goodrich, Miller Gorrie, Beau Grenier, Jim Hanson, Chris Harmon, Jim Hughey, Matt Lusco, Fred McCallum, Will Goodwyn, Craft O’Neal, Charles Perry, Jim Richardson, Steve Sanak, Stan Starnes and Marc Tyson.
