Patrons of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra gathered for the second year in the recently reborn Robinson Center to celebrate "Arkansas' Finest," as Herren Hickingbotham put it ... Arkansas' finest symphony orchestra. Arkansas' finest youth orchestra. Arkansas' finest chefs. Arkansas' finest patrons. Opus XXXIII, the uber-glam fundraiser for the music-education efforts of the orchestra, took place Nov. 11.
With a backdrop that included tables of giant floral arrangements and strewn rose petals -- part of a floral presentation involving nearly 200 boxes of flowers from around the world -- guests gathered in the Robinson's William Grant Still ballroom for an "extended" cocktail hour, silent auction and music by the Youth Orchestra. They then moved to the ballroom of the adjoining Doubletree by Hilton Hotel for music by the band Recovery and a four-course dinner provided by chefs Payne Harding, Denis Seyer, Tim Morton and Evette Brady. Harding provided a pickled and roasted Yellow-Purple Beets Carpaccio. Seyer was responsible for Alouette's Lobster Bisque. The main course, served by Morton, was a mouth-watering Apple Smoked Filet Mignon. Brady finished off with Jamaican Rum Pecan Torte. The first three courses were paired with fine wines from Glazer's, introduced by David Cone.
The night's program began with remarks and acknowledgements from Susan Hickingbotham, the other event co-chairman, and her husband, Herren Hickingbotham. Craig O'Neill steered the live auction along and encouraged on-site donations to the $80,000-goal Education Challenge.
Attendees were also treated to a solo by Caleb Yu, Youth Orchestra violinist and winner of the symphony's 2017 Karen and John Flake Outstanding Member Scholarship Award.
After dinner, attendees returned to the Robinson's ballroom to dance to music by the Rodney Block Collective.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 11/19/2017