Granted, it was dancing, rather than music, that headlined the Little Rock Musical Coterie's Spring Luncheon.
But as explained by Don Bingham, visual arts such as ballet are a component of the coterie's identity. So it was the dancers of Ballet Arkansas who provided entertainment for the event held May 13 in the Grand Ballroom of the Governor's Mansion in Little Rock.
Bingham, mansion administrator and past club president, was master of ceremonies, and Nancy Griffin, the current president, offered remarks. Sarah Wengel, daughter of Susan and Gov. Asa Hutchinson, stood in for the first lady as special guest.
Before enjoying their lunch of salad nicoise with poached chicken and a wow-worthy dessert of cornbread strawberry shortcake. Megan Hustel, Toby Lewellen, Justin Rustle, Tony Sewer and Paul Tillman performed the "Rose Adagio" from the Sleeping Beauty ballet. Lynsie Ogden performed a solo -- and Amanda Sewell and Lewellen a pas de deux -- to Memoryhaus, set to a Max Richter score. Lauren Bodenheimer, Hustel and Rustle performed a section from Glinka pas de trois, a George Balanchine ballet. "Walk the Line" and "Ring of Fire," two sections from the Johnny Cash-inspired ballet Under the Lights, were performed by Bodenheimer, Hannah Bradshaw, Hustel, Deanna Karlheim, Meredith Loy, Laura McCarty-Horak, Lewellen, Sewer and Tillman.
The performance marked the final program of the club year for the coterie, which was organized in 1893 and is a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs. Concerts, music education and networking, along with scholarships for students, are among its activities.
High Profile on 05/29/2016