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Above, Gene and Julie Burton acknowledge the audience at the end of their performance. The Burtons won the Alliance “Dancing with the Stars” competition with their rendition of the classic Waltz. Gene is the superintendent of schools for the Rockwall Independent School District.
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Alliance for the Arts holds gala, dance competition
By Mary Thacker
Special to the Herald-Banner
As relaxing music provided by pianist Asa Welles played in the background, fashionably-dressed guests made their way into the ballroom of the Hilton Bella Harbor for the annual Rockwall County Alliance for the Arts fundraising gala.
The evening opened with a welcome by Alliance President Kathleen Morrow and Vice-President Dan Crawford, followed by a formation dance routine by the “A Dance to Remember” team to the song “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” which tied into the event’s theme.
The tables were decorated in classic black-and- white with calla lily floral arrangements.
Channel 11’s Teresa Frosini served as the emcee for this year’s event. Since the goal of the Rockwall County Alliance for the Arts is to support the arts in Rockwall, the evening featured performances by the Rockwall Community Playhouse’s Camp Broadway and music from Rockwall Strings, an ensemble of students from six different RISD schools. Rockwall Independent School District showed a strong presence during the night with local students’ art displays and dancing by Superintendent Dr. Gene Burton. Dr. Burton and his wife Julie competed with a Tennessee Waltz. The couple claimed top honors during the “Dancing with the Stars” competition which raised $2,550. Other couples included local pediatrician and owner of TrainUp, Dr. Kurt Pflieger and his wife Julie, Dallas Morning News columnist Marcia Burzair with her husband Ed, and former Heath mayor Chris Cuny dancing with professional dance instructor Margaret Kochan, who choreographed and taught all the dance routines.
Judges included: ArtVentures owner Joetta Currie, Ambassador for the Rockwall Chamber of Commerce Jon Bailey, and AMICA Publicity Chair Dedra Goodson.
Patt Jordan and Kathleen Morrow received certificates of recognition from Gov. Rick Perry for their dedication to the promotion of the arts in Rockwall County. Following a three-course meal, artwork by prominent civic leaders was sold in an auction conducted by Gary Freedman.
David Bush, director of the Lakeside Civic Chorus, Channel 4 News anchor Heather Hays, RISD Trustee Russ Childers, SeaWolf owner Scott Self, and RISD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Joan Terry all created original artwork for the sale.
They were assisted by professional artists Joetta Currie, Laura Thrash, David Smithers and Kathleen Finan. Donations by artists Carmen Wilkins, Tyce McLarty, Charlie Freeman, Gary McCoy, Jack Palmer, John Nieto, Gary McCoy, Jayne McFaddin, Lisa Willis, Dieter Esch, Pat Haverfield, and Victoria Clary and a performance by the RHS Jazz Band were also included in the auction.
In addition, Cullen Lassiter of Van Daniel Graphic Arts drew a large crowd of spectators as he painted the sun setting over Lake Ray Hubbard. He then donated his creation to the auction.
A special presentation was made to RHHS freshman Dalia Rodriguez who was the first recipient of the Mary Elaine House Scholarship. House was an avid supporter of the arts in Rockwall. During her 25-year career in music, she produced or directed more than 50 operas, worked as a music professor, music critic, and stage manager. She married acclaimed cellist Robert House in 1979. Both died within weeks of each other in 2007. Their daughter Kathy was present to congratulate Rodriguez, who is excited to fulfill her dream of taking private voice lessons.
To end the evening, the dance floor was opened up to everyone as the 15-piece band, Nobles of Note, led by director Gary Zerfas, played Big Band music.
The Alliance supports the band whose members donate their time and talents to benefit the Shriners Burn Hospital of Galveston.
The Rockwall Alliance for the Arts is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, support, educate and create awareness of the arts in the community. The annual gala is to raise money for the arts organizations it supports. Rockwall Community Playhouse, Rockwall Children’s Chorus, Lakeside Civic Chorus, Rockwall Historical Foundation, MusicFest and the Hubbard Chamber Music Series all profit from the Alliance.
In addition, students in the Rockwall Independent School District receive scholarships through the Alliance’s Youth ArtReach Grants that provide money for music, dance and art lessons to underprivileged children. More information about RCAA is available at www.rockwallarts.org.
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