Guests were Stompin’ at the Savoy! at Fanfare 2013, held at Greystone Hall in Akron on Friday evening.
Terri Nass Reeder chaired the event, which benefits the Akron Symphony Orchestra, the Akron Youth Orchestra and Akron Symphony Chorus. She welcomed friends Brighid Hillmuth and Kelli Rice, who drove in from Cincinnati for the event.
Interior designer Rita Amonett used vintage costumes, peacock feathers and 1920s memorabilia to transform Greystone Hall into a replica of the Savoy, a popular ballroom in Harlem during the 1920s.
The evening began with guests sipping melon martinis before taking seats in the Garden Room for an oral auction. Judson Laipply combined comedy with his duties as auctioneer. Susan Flowers had the winning bid for Maestro Magic, Conducting the Orchestra as a graduation gift for her nephew, Charlie Poe, who graduated from Miami University on Saturday.
Scott Truhan, Kimberly Wenger and their guests will enjoy a party at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, where Harriet Chapman, the Seiberlings’ great-granddaughter, will share stories about life at the historic home. Pam Davis will find her place in the sun at a beach house on Harbour Island in the Bahamas.
As the Savoy Club opened, guests enjoyed a strolling dinner catered by the Knight Center. Tom Miller carved a beef tenderloin, while Ben Thompson handled the pasta bar. Spotted in the crowd were Jason Hazen, Joann Oelschlager, Mary Ann Jackson, Cynthia Knight, Marian Calvin, Brian Fortney, Mark and Sandy Auburn, Jim Simon, Levi Hammer, Colin Baker, Amanda Wince, Bunny Lacey, Steve and Cathy Leuenberger, Melissa Johnson and Robert Kazar.
Honorary Chair Jim Pearson thanked the crowd for supporting the symphony, and the committee and staff for putting together such a great evening. He enjoyed the event with his wife, Marguerite, Guy and Renee Pipitone, Paul Jarrett and Robert and Laura Culp.
Sue Gillman said plans are already under way for the Symphony’s Tour of the Portage Lakes this summer.
Laipply wowed the crowd, demonstrating the Evolution of Dance, and then the intrepid auctioneer auctioned himself for a performance at a later date.
The Akron Symphony Big Band took the stage, providing music for dancing at the Savoy.