BWW Reviews: Beaux Arts Society's 108th Beaux Arts Ball Honors Charles Busch, Anita Gillette, More

The Beaux Arts Society, Inc. held its 108th Beaux Arts Ball on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Terrace on the Park at Corona Park-Flushing Meadows, in its Oak Suite. Beginning at 8:00 p.m., the Ball featured as its central event the coronation of this year's Beaux Arts Society royalty. The hosts for the event were Dr. Tom Stevens, Beaux Arts Society president, and actor-filmmaker James Allerdyce.

The theme of the event, which provided the basis for the costumes, was "Ebony and Ivory." Dress for non-costumed participants was semi-formal.

The Royal Family coronated at the Ball, introduced by Allerdyce, included King Charles Busch, Queen Diana Templeton, Prince Kevin Schwab, and Princess Anita Gillette, who were presented with suitably whimsical crowns and tiaras. The royalty performed their first official act of the year in judging the costume parade later in the evening.

Entertainment during cocktails and dinner, and after the coronation and costume parade, was provided by Ron Fowler, while members and guests occupied the dance floor. Diana Templeton joined Fowler in entertaining the evening's guests, particularly with her performance of Kander and Ebb's "Ring Them Bells."

Among the members present were Allerdyce, BAS Distinguished Artist, Croatian musician and peace activist Nenad Bach, author Bernadette Miller, and cabaret artists Sandra Benee and Kitt Holiday. Guests included performer and writer Ashley Austin Morris, as well as a number of Prince Kevin Schwab's students.

Costume parade winners included Marakay Rogers (winner), Sandra Benee (first runner up), Carol Shedlin, and Jason L. Querry. The costume parade prize was a Ralph Lauren gift certificate, while other gifts were presented to members and guests during the evening, before dessert.

The event, which had nearly fifty members and guests present, was catered by Terrace on the Park, including an open bar, elaborate canapé presentations and buttled canapés, a seven-entrée buffet with carving stations, and Viennese dessert service.

The next Beaux Arts Society events include the "Fall Frolic" to be held at Solas in Manhattan this month, its Winter Carnival at The Brazen Fox on February 22, and its upcoming Spring Fling at The Press Box.

For more information about the Beaux Arts Society and its activities, visit its web page at www.beauxartssociety.org or contact its President, Dr. Tom Stevens, at beauxartssociety@gmail.com.

(Disclosure: The writer, a Broadway World author, is vice-chair of the Advisory Committee of the BAS and a winner of a featured event at the Beaux Arts Ball.)

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