NewsMain Street fund-raiser entertains capacity crowd
By Diane Vance/Gate City Staff WriterAfter a long week of sandbags, area flooding and disrupted schedules, more than 250 local residents came out to party in the street Saturday night. Main Street Keokuk, Inc. hosted its eighth annual Summer Fun and Fund-raiser with “An Evening in Tuscany.”
The slight chance of rain showers stayed away and evening breezes added to the treats for dinner guests. “It was good timing to have a party,” said Joyce Glasscock, executive director of Main Street Keokuk, Inc. “It was good for people to come together, get to relax and have fun.” Glasscock said all 250 tickets were sold, bringing in $5,000. “We were at capacity seating,” she said. “We had plenty of food. I was very happy with the turn out.” Guests were seated at round tables for six on North Sixth Street between the Grand Theatre and Mr. Lucky's. Area teens and Main Street Keokuk, Inc. volunteers dressed in black and white, brought out olive tapenade, an olive spread popular in the Mediterranean, breads and dipping oils to start the feast. A painted pool and water fountain surrounded by brilliantly colored flowers created a centerpiece in the street. Bunches of sunflowers were placed throughout the block and each place setting was wrapped with a strip of colorful checked fabric topped by a small sunflower. Music and entertainment accompanied most of the activities, kicked off with Jesse Mazzacolli playing live, classical Italian guitar. Bowls of green salad and pasta salad were brought to each table, followed by marinated and grilled chicken breasts. A local COO played the role of Luigi Salvatori Tomasini to demonstrate the art of pizza dough tossing, successfully twirling rolled out dough into the air as high as the Grand marquee. After dinner and music, a popular feature began. Area residents and businesses annually donate items and events for an auction. “This is our biggest fund-raiser of the year outside of the pledge drive,” Barb Smidt, board president of the Main Street Keokuk, Inc., told the crowd. “The money goes to support the four-point approach Main Street works on to revitalize downtown. Please continue to be generous this evening.” Nine auction items brought in $6,200 Saturday. The highest bid item was the one-of-kind necklace “Canto Toscano” created especially for “An Evening in Tuscany” by Keokuk's Erika Wolfe, metal jewelry artist. “There was a lot of interest in the necklace,” said Glasscock. “There were several bidders until it started going higher, then it was down to three bidders. The final price set a record.” The necklace fetched $1,700 from Ty Logan, Wolfe's son-in-law. “The committee was very happy with the auction items,” said Glasscock. The excitement wasn't over with the auction. Randy Whitaker of Hamilton, Ill., and a familiar face - and voice - to audiences at Great River Players performances, took the stage as evening shadows grew longer. Dressed in a black suit, black hat and black shoes with white spats, Whitaker sang several Frank Sinatra songs, accompanied on keyboard by Glenna Eagan. Couples got up to dance in the small empty spot between the fountain and the sidewalk under the marquee. Whitaker sang more than Sinatra songs. With his jacket off, he gave the audience splendid versions of the Beatle's “Yesterday” and “Try to Remember” from the musical “Fantastiks.” When Whitaker took a break, Keokuk's Tamela LaFoe performed “The French Monologue” dressed in a black skirt, black Parisian sweater, black beret, black stockings and black stilettos. She held a long cigarette holder and talked mostly English with some French scattered throughout the comedic monologue. “I think it was the best one I've been to,” said Debbie Marion of Keokuk. “It was like being in a fairy tale. I was transported to a different time and place. It was such a wonderful evening under the stars.” Italian desserts, coffee and espresso were laid out on a buffet in the Grand's lobby. Whitaker sang again and more couples danced into the night. “It was an awesome event,” said Smidt. “There was a record turnout. Our weather was beautiful. The Italian theme was splendid and the generosity of the crowd overwhelming. “Our final numbers aren't in yet, but it looks like the event was a very successful fund-raiser for Main Street.” Glasscock told the crowd to be looking forward to next year's party, “An Evening in Paris.” Copyright © 2010 - Daily Gate City
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