Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1543538
Prairie Paris on the Glamour + Gunsmoke for Fayetteville Theater Gala A s with many aspects of ranch life, things worth doing start early, so at 4:30 pm on a glorious Saturday edging into spring, the nobles of Round Top ranch society gathered for the fifth annual gala benefiting the Fayetteville Community Center & Performance Theater. Phase I of the new center opened to accolades last September; Phase II, a 150-seat theater, is in the works, and the gala raised more than $500,000 toward that effort. The setting was a country classic: Windy Knoll's masterfully reconstructed century-old, timber- framed barn. The theme, A Night in Paris, nodded to French tropes, achieving what Fayetteville board president Jerry Herring referred to as a "Glamour and Gunsmoke" vibe. Also as in ranch life, the hardest work is done by women, as co- chairs Joan Herring, Rebecca Axelrod, and Linda Plant could attest, along with Fayetteville Community Center Group executive director Dr. Crystal Gully, and auction director Cathy Bauer. Guests were greeted by mimes on stilts and saucy cancan dancers, while J&D Entertainment coordinated street artist Stephen Henry, who live-painted a Parisian scene that later sold in the silent auction. Setting the café mood were Cole Porter tunes courtesy The Houston Jazz Band and sultry singer Tianna Hall. The Ballroom at Bayou Place – Kirksey Gregg Productions led by Kirksey Gregg and Craig Howard catered the seated dinner and created the Gallic gala's decor. By John Mason Walker. Photography Chris Pierre Bachman. (Continued) David Ewers, Kathy Haynes, Jim Merryman (back row) Becky & Ian Bader Co-chair Joan Herring, Dr. Crystal Gully Cathy Bauer, co-chair Rebecca Axelrod Co-chair Linda Plant Denise Jacobs, Frank Hillbolt Shalonn & Brian Simmons Mike Cavender Kami Sisson 86