Austin Opera
Local glitterati dazzle at Serenata, Austin Opera Guild's exclusive black tie auction
What: Austin Opera Guild's Serenata
Where: Four Seasons Austin
The lowdown: Local luminaries gathered at the Four Seasons Austin on February 21 for an exclusive black tie fundraiser and silent auction benefiting Austin Opera. Serenata, the Italian word for serenade, offered no shortage of musical interludes. Guests were treated to the performance of a lifetime by Ginger Costa-Jackson, an internationally renowned mezzo-soprano. Later in the evening, Austin's own Reunion took the stage to get attendees grooving on the dance floor.
The evening's four-course meal was created by TRIO Executive Chef Elmar Prambs, and was complemented by wines courtesy of Twin Liquors. Before dinner, opera supporters participated in a silent auction with items including Texas Rangers tickets, a champagne mink coat, a guitar signed by musician Jerry Jeff Walker and a private in-home concert from acclaimed pianist Anton Nel.
Who: Mark Wangler, Betty Wangler, Gretchen Woellner, William Jackson, Andrew Heller, Adrienne Kolly, Colleen Halbrook, Peter Gatti, Barbara Lightheart, Erica Nelsen, Joe Nelsen, Kate Specter, Joe Specter, Daniel Watson, Oksana Watson, Hudson Ingram, Paula Damore and Richard Buckley.