A Brazilian costumed mannequin welcomed guests through the entrance of the grand ballroom of Chateau Golf and Country Club, which was transformed into a tropical paradise. Tables were decorated with centerpieces of painted and adorned tree branches set on bright table runners. The stage area added to the colorful ambience with potted bromeliads, which were used for contest prizes. Custom-made feathery fascinators, created by JBI members Carrel Epling and Nancy Keylon, were available to complement the ladies’ Rio outfits.
Greeting Committee Charlotte Ruiz, Myrtle Dubea and Kari Lynn Price welcomed a sold-out crowd of 350 guests. Event Co-Chairs Pat Golemi and Denise Woodward, along with JBI president and Executive Director Beulah Oswald-Soto, welcomed guests to the festive event. The event was made possible thanks to Kay and Dr. Henry Andressen, along with Kay’s hard-working committee.
Chateau’s chef Denis Hutley provided a smorgasbord of delicious Brazilian cuisine on festively decorated tables with tropical greenery and palm trees made of stacked pineapples. The open bar included the event’s signature drink, caipirinhas. The Julio & Cesar Band provided lively dance music, and two Samba dancers added to the Latin atmosphere.
A samba contest for guests, arranged by JBI member Jackie Elliott, increased the excitement with over 20 couples participating. The popular ensemble contest, Chaired by Arleeta Terrel, was held, with winners in categories such as Best Ensemble, Most Vibrant and Most Original, to name a few. There was also a live auction, with an original “Toucans” oil painting by Hunt Slonem as a highlight.
Prior to the main event, a Patron Party, chaired by Patricia Starnes, was held in the country club’s Grill Room, where patrons were treated to a variety of Brazilian hors d’oeuvres.
The event benefits Jefferson Beautification Inc.’s many civic beautification projects. Specifically, the JBI plans to erect statues in the gardens representing the Greek Muses. The front gardens of JPAC will be adorned with statues of the four muses who ruled over the performing arts: Terpiscore (dance), Euterpe (music), Thalia (comedy) and Melpomene (tragedy). JBI is in the process of sending out a call to local artists for the project..
EVENT AT A GLANCE
What: “Parkway Promenade XXIV: A Night in Rio,” benefiting Jefferson Beautification Inc.
When: Sunday, April 19
Where: Chateau Golf and Country Club
