Carnivale at Muse, Another Night at Fleet Landing, and The Chocolate Affair
I found myself amidst a band of masked and costumed characters a week ago Tuesday at a Carnivale-style celebration benefitting Charleston Stage. Hosted by the Margo Kaufman Gallery, which donated a portion of artwork sales from that night, and held at Muse, where the all the furniture had been removed save for a white grand piano on the second floor, revelers made merry on the eve of Lent. Between the aged plaster walls, the long shadows cast by a few well-placed candles, the mysterious guests, and the bourbon-tinged Southern patois, it was hard to believe I was on Society Street and not in the middle of New Orlean’s Garden District.
Guests took advantage of the mild temperature and spilled out onto Muse’s street level portico where a trio of musicians entertained the crowd for the early portion of the night. Bartenders slung Hurricanes, and servers frequently restocked trays of cheese and proscuitto.
The height of drama occurred around 10 p.m. when a gentleman dressed as a voodoo witch doctor emerged from a back room and began weaving through the crowd while muttering incoherently. A handful of women in wench costumes swooned at sight of the motley man, and I dashed out of the room during the commotion. He was too scary for me!
On Thursday night, I attended Another Night at Fleet Landing, a wildly successful dinner fundraiser held in honor of the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center. Two years ago, this event set the record (as far as I know) for the highest amount raised by a live auction puppy in Charleston—more than $40,000! Another highlight of the night was a 15-minute solicitation of donations for much-needed construction project at the Dee Norton Center. Auctioneer Doug Warner asked guests to raise their paddles and signify either a $500 or $1,000 gift. After several rounds around the room and news of a matching gift from a donor who was unable to attend the event, $60,000—the cost of the project—was raised. Last year, I got in trouble for eating Mr. Warner’s slice of key lime pie while he was busy conducting the auction, so this year I vowed to stay away from the dessert. Alas, the vanilla cake adorned with frosted images of smiling children, which was donated by Sweet Smith Bakery, was too cute not to eat. Wow! It was definitely the best bite of cake I’ve had in years.
Saturday was a continuation of all things sweet with the annual Chocolate Affair benefitting Communities in Schools, a program that helps keep kids in school while equipping them with life skills. Held at the Citadel Alumni House, the overpowering aroma of chocolate met me at the door, so I knew I was in the right place. Inside, I discovered one giant buffet table laden with the most decadent-looking array of chocolate confections. Cookies, truffles, and cakes galore!
Vacations, art, and jewelry dominated the live auction, which no doubt benefitted from the collective sugar buzz coursing through the room. Servers continued to replenish the trays of treats throughout the auction, and I can only imagine the post-party toothaches suffered by a few of the most ardent chocoholics!
