The Arts Project of Cherry Grove’s (APCG) annual end-of-season gala was billed as the Jet Setters’ Ball; took place at the Ice Palace on September 29; and inspired the Board of Directors, membership, and guests to heights of elegance, exoticism, and/or imagination. Silver Spoon Catering’s Frank and Paula fed the assembled a scrumptious dinner, which was followed by a dessert bar featuring confections by Philomena. The concept of the Jet Set—“an international social group of wealthy individuals who frequent fashionable resorts,” according to Webster’s Dictionary—dates from 1951 and much of the mood and dinner music spun by DJ RDK (Richard Kennedy) had an appropriately ’50s flavor, with contemporary favorites reserved for dancing after the meal.
Departing APCG President Martha Pitkin welcomed us and congratulated us all “on our good fortune to have found Cherry Grove.” “We love Cherry Grove and we love the Arts Project!” she continued, and introduced incoming President Thom “Panzi” Hansen. After considerable kibitzing, they announced that next season would begin with first-ever In-Town Party in Fort Lauderdale on February 24, 2013, as well as the customary one in Manhattan, on March 10.
Martha presented APCG Community Service Awards, adorned with the masks of comedy and tragedy, to Homecoming Queen 2011 YaNeeda Dunes, to former Board Member Mel Rock, to Sharon Weinberg and, finally, to Francine Sardone, guiding light of the APCG Casino. Matt Baney then honored Martha with the Board’s Award.
Homecoming Queen 2012 Robin Kradles, garbed first as a flight attendant, before morphing into the Monarch, crown and all, that we know and love, kicked off a short show by the ‘Mile High Performers’ by singing “Come Fly with Me.” Bella’s song, with dance, was a bilingual “Questo Amore”/”It’s Amore,” and fierce Folies Bergère girl Demi-Tasse’s was “C’est Magnifique.” Philomena modeled a pink dress from “Bridesmaids,” donated by Australian actress Rebel Wilson for auction by APCG, to assist in saving the Cherry Grove Community House, which was sold to Margo for $400, whereupon Toni Cesta made a spontaneous, winning bid of $300 for Panzi’s glittery cape. Gefil Tefish, who played Miss Japan in Panzi and Philomena’s beauty pageant-inspired 2003 APCG show “There She Is,” entered in her kimono, which she soon doffed for a ‘little Dutch girl’ look, to deliver “Dance 10, Looks 3.”
The climax of the evening was a costume contest, judged by Michael Peskoff, Michael Abdis, Ellen Biggers, Bill Ottignon, and Dr. Anna Tirado, with prizes going to the “Not-So-Ugly Americans,” a tourist duo, for Most Professional Traveler; “James Bond, Polo Playboy, and Crazy Investor,” Michael Vincent and company, for Top Fashionista; a sextet, complete with airplane, called “Bunny Air,” comprising Coco and Lola, in Playboy Bunny ears and costumes, with Frank Borsas, James Chapski, Jane Haber, and Toni, for Most Fabulous Jet Setter; the “Cherry Krishnas,” a large contingent in saffron robes, with tambourines and flowers, organized by Sue Panzer and including New York Emperor-Elect Wendy Lewis and APCG Board Member Kathy Morroni, for Most Lively; and Bob Younger, as a hunter, winning the ‘What Were You Thinking?’ Award.