The moon was bright and the stars shone to light the way to the Birmingham Music Guild’s annual fundraising Gala, Rhythm and Muse, at Vestavia Country Club on Saturday, January 31. The Guild has raised more than $550,000 in scholarship monies over the years to support Alabama’s college and university’s music students. More than $45,000 has been raised this year.
Spirits were high as some 200 members and guests enjoyed listening and dancing to the music of BMC Executive Director Ron Bourdages and his City Lights band. The event’s honoree was 1988 Birmingham Music Guild scholarship winner Diane Boyd Schultz, Professor of Music at the University of Alabama. An internationally recognized flutist and piccoloist, Schultz performed to an appreciative audience.
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- Jim and Marsha Drennen, Co-Chairman of the Gala and Judy and Charles Anderson, Chairman of the Gala
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- Bob and Patsy Straka, Auctioneer for the Gala
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- Perry and Pat Grant, President of the Music Guild
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- Performance by Diane Boyd Schultz, 2015 Gala Honoree
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- Scholarship winners left to right, Kim Scott, 1993, Diane Boyd Schultz, 1988, and Akila Bryant, 2008
Following her performance, Bob Straka of Grandview Financial Group conducted a lively auction of fabulous items, including an artisan brewery tour, a Golden Rule BBQ party, Auburn and Alabama football packages, trips, private parties and dinners, a wine collection, and sports and entertainment packages. Phillip Lindsay produced a stunning visual presentation for the Guild and auction items.
Around the ballroom, party-goers mingled at food stations where small plates of Creole turkey, shrimp and grits, prime rib, cheese and crab dips, along with assorted desserts, satisfied the most discerning palates. As the party wound down, Gala Chairman Judy Anderson received an ovation for planning a memorable evening along with her co-chairman Marsha Drennen. Pat Grant is president of the Birmingham Music Club Guild.
Also receiving kudos were Anne Lamkin for planning the menu and Kay Clark for coordinating the table centerpieces. Adding sparkle to a subtle color scheme of white, cream and celery green, mirrored centerpieces and votive candles created a magical atmosphere for the evening. The cream, white and green flowers were beautifully arranged by Ginni G Florists and placed in tall crackled silver glass vases. The centerpieces included roses, lilies, hydrangeas, pussy willows, Bells of Ireland, snap dragons, ferns and Queen Anne’s lace. Assisting with decorations were Charlann Anderson, Lesley DeRamus, Vicki Lukens, Anne Lamkin and Martha Black. Guild member Angie Holder contributed her professional expertise as the paparazzi for the evening.
Table captains included Judy Anderson, Martha Black, Jeanne Bradford, Marsha Drennen, Janis Zeanah, Sandra Holley, Anne Lamkin, Nancy Morrow, Jo Self, Michele Smith, Lochrane Coleman Smith, Carolyn Long, Deanie Gagliano, Pat Grant, Diane Boyd Schultz, Diane Beck and Elaine Clark.
Major benefactors included Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Anderson; Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Lamkin; Mr. and Mrs. James L. Drennen; First Partners Bank, Mr. and Mrs. Elam Holley; Mr. and Mrs. David Self; Mr. and Mrs. Russell Cunningham; Mr. and Mrs. Mell Gage Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Thad Long; Jack White, Grammy Award winning contemporary musician; Padella Paddleboards, Ben Bludsworth; Mr. and Mrs. Perry Grant; Chef Joseph Mitchell; B Coop’s Art House, Ms. Betsy Cooper; Health Worx; Hoar Construction; Children’s Hospital; Atlas Keg Company, Robert Israel; Larry’s Limousine; Gulf Breeze Firearms, Duke McCaa; Simmons Sporting Goods, Clay Simmons; and AnyTime Fitness, Blake Scazzaro.
