Sophisticated Society

FABULOUS FEUD LIVE

The J Associates held a virtual/live fundraiser called Fabulous Feud Live to benefit critical programs at the J that support the community. The event was co-chaired by Carol B. Blinder and Wendy Gellman with assistance from J Associates President, Debbie Lefton and Vice President of Development, Amy Bennett. In the same spirit as the popular television game show “Family Feud,” Fabulous Feud Live featured local families squaring off against each other. Teams included were The Rosenkatters, The Fab Five, The Wallis Collective, The Word Warriors, The Little Creek Gang and The Mama and the Papas. The event raised $214,000.

MARYGROVE’S BLOOM

Marygrove held its annual BLOOM event in March, raising more than $465,000 with support from a virtual audience. The Roaring ‘20s Maskerade Gala was a Livestream event to raise funds for the nearly 1,000 children, adolescents, and young adults who receive love, support, and a safe home at Marygrove. Rita Diekemper and Anthony and Jean Soukenik chaired the event.

KIDS ROCK CANCER

A bourbon and wine tasting were held online to raise money for Kids Rock Cancer, a free program that helps children cope with the emotional challenges that accompany cancer or blood disorder diagnosis. Through the healing power of music therapy, Kids Rock Cancer helps children combat feelings of anxiety, depression, uncertainty, and helplessness. Tasting packages for the event were made available through Grapevine Wines.

SLSO CONCERT

After several months without concerts, the sound of music returned to Powell Hall in Midtown St. Louis. Live concerts began again with Music Director Stéphane Denève and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra the last weekend of March and will continue through May 15. Assistant Conductor Stephanie Childress made her SLSO performance debut in concert March 26-28 as violin soloist on J.S. Bach’s Double Violin Concerto with SLSO Associate Principal Second Violinist Kristin Ahlstrom; Denève also led the first SLSO performances of Ester Mägi’s Vesper, Arvo Pärt’s Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony.

The mood was enthusiastic, and the audience and musicians were thrilled to be back. Capacity is limited to 300 for all shows with modifications implemented like socially distant seating arrangements, masks required, contactless ticketing, no food/beverage service, an hourlong program without intermission, and specifically-designed ingress/egress routes for patrons.