Our Man BY
IN KC
Damian Lair
dlair@inkansascity.com
: @damianlair #OurManINKC
The Nutcracker Ball
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As we dined, special acknowledgements were given to the honorary chairman, (dearest man and friend) Michael Fields, as well as the annual Pirouette award recipient, Dr. John Hunkeler, for individual devotion and patronage to the ballet across decades. And what’s a ballet ball without a smattering of ballet? With tables arranged around a circular center stage, we were all treated to pop-up mini performances by company dancers. I’ll note that I especially loved the interspersing of current electronic dance-music beats HOT with Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker score. It GOSSIP: felt fresh and fun. Upon being overserved Afterwards, guests took to the and carried out of dance floor for some twirling of our a holiday party, who own, with the Fountain City 45s quipped “But I just had band adding a jolt of energy. And a physical; I don’t know people danced. Over the years, I’ve been to a number of the ballet’s balls what happened.” and similar legacy arts organization gaJANUARY 2022 |
Damian Lair with Lauren Merriman at the Ballet Ball.
las, which I always enjoy. I was telling my friend (and co-chair) Karen, days later, how electric this year’s event felt. While no one hopes to have another global pandemic halt our arts and revelry—one silver lining might just be our renewed, collective ability to savor it all a little more now that we are back.
OVERHEARD “Aren’t these new pants cute? They’ve got the elastic waistband—with me through the good times and the bad.”
SPOTTED: Julia Irene Kauffman, Jeff Bentley, Peggy & Terry Dunn, Jackie & John Middelkamp, Maurice Watson, Ursula Terrasi & Jim Miller, Amy Embry, Susan and Dr. Stephen Bubb, Ann McCray, Barbara & Jack Spilker, Mary Leonidas, Julie Anderson Clark & Vince Clark, Nicole & Myron Wang, Siobhan McLaughlin Lesly, Mike Sigler, Greg O’Bourney, Kurt Knapstein, Linda Lighton & Lynn Adkins, Don Loncasty, Dr. Terry Anderson & Michael Henry, Dan DeLeon, Lauren DeLeon, Lauren Merriman, Garret Toms, Jane Ehinger, Tara Raghuveer, Erin & Will Gregory, Dr. Amy Patel & Joe Rathermel, Barbara Reed, Holly Bawden, Annie Simmermon, Emily Moore, Aisa Palomares
30 | INKANSASCITY.COM
PHOTO BY KENNY JOHNSON
e. Are. Back.” That was the opening toast by the artistic director for the Kansas City Ballet, Devon Carney, to kick off the 54th annual Nutcracker Ball black-tie gala. Presented by the Kansas City Ballet Guild, and co-chaired by Tempe Ostergren Elsberry and Karen Yungmeyer, it was a hotly anticipated gathering of more than 450 ballet patrons—particularly given last year’s canceled occasion. In addition to raising funds that support the ballet and its various educational and outreach missions, the event also serves as the unoffi cial kickoff to the holiday party season and the beloved, dizzying schedule of The Nutcracker performances. Ball guests gathered at the sparkling new Loews Hotel Kansas City—my first time there for a large event. Able to walk the few blocks there, I smartly met friends early at the Bar Stillwell, just off the lobby. In plush velvet sofas, with soaring glass walls framing the city skyline, we sipped on a round of the Pleasure to Burn cocktails— tequila, jalapeño shrub, pineapple syrup, and lime. It felt so incredible to have everyone together, dressed in gowns and sequins, or in my case, a nutcracker-inspired jacket embellished with rows of brass buttons and braided military detail. We made our way to the ballroom for cocktail hour, more mingling, and ultimately sat for a decadent dinner amongst festive Craig Sole Designs florals.
