Music for Money
Santa Barbara Choral Society marked its 70th anniversary with a Sentimental Journey-themed gala at the Rockwood Woman’s Club, with 125 guests raising more than $60,000.
The boffo bash, co-chaired by Marylove Thralls and Mary Dan Eades, revisited the post-war era with the Broadway musical and the Big Band sound.
JoAnne Wasserman, who is celebrating her 25th anniversary directing the choir, with David Potter on piano and Bob Lally narrating, conducted the concert featuring classic songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, and Ira Gershwin.
Afterward, the guests, many in vintage costume, tucked into a heaving buffet of Swedish meatballs, mini chicken pot pies, lemon pound cake, and mini eclairs.
KEYT-TV dynamic duo, anchor Joe Buttitta and his meteorologist wife, Kelsey Gerckens, conducted the auction, which included trips to Montana, Bear Lake, North Carolina, and Mexico.
Among those facing the music were Todd and Allyson Aldrich, Barbara Burger and Paul Munch, Peter and Karen Brill, David and Diana Dodds Reichert, Michael Eades, Dick and Marilyn Mazess, Kostis Protopapas, Debra Stewart, Richard Mann, Gary Wasserman, and emcee Karen Williams.
Board member Deb Rosique strikes a “Rosie the Riveter” pose during the cocktail hour at the SBCS 1940s-themed event (photo by Marylove Thralls) 
(From left) SBCS artistic director and conductor JoAnne Wasserman, Board VP Mary Dan Eades, past president Debra Stewart, and guest Pauli Von Simpson. Car in background is a vintage 1941 convertible owned by Richard Mann (photo by Marylove Thralls)
