La Dolce Vita, Roper Xavier dinner, and the Lowcountry Oyster Festival
A jaunt to Daniel Island was in order on Friday night for Spoleto Festival USA’s annual La Dolce Vita auction. An oft-moved event that has taken place in tented parking lots and other sundry venues in recent years, this marked the second consecutive year that the Daniel Island Club has played host to the art festival’s midwinter soiree.
A tent erected on the club’s back lawn housed silent auction and tables laden with items lined the walls, where luxe handbags and weekend getaways abounded. Several heaters thankfully counterbalanced the “enchanted forrest” feel evoked by the bare branch tree decor and chilly night air. With Denise Barto’s premonition that snow flurries were on the way (according, she said, to the weather forecaster’s report that night) and the women in floor length sables who opted to skip coat check, I thought we’d climbed through the back of the wardrobe.
Dinner was served in the club’s ballroom. The centerpiece, although pretty, was quickly relegated to the floor due to its unwieldy height, which obstructed everyone’s view of their dining companions. And a lively group of dining companions it was! Although religion and politics are typically taboo topics of conversations, some of the guests at my table drew sides along party lines and launched into a heated discussion of the presidential candidates’ merits (or perceived lack there of). Coming off the heals of the Republican primary and on the night before the Democratic primary, it was only natural that the election would be at the forefront of people’s minds. Fortunately, we were not served dinner rolls, so no bread was sent aloft as views were exchanged.
The live auction commenced as dessert was served, and 21 lots were sent home with the highest bidders. Maestro Charles Wadsworth (host of the festival’s chamber music series) made an appearance early in the auction to drum up interest in a private concert for 50 guests to be held at Spoleto’s headquarters this May. I am an unabashed fan of Mr. Wadsworth and his series, and his witty live auction soliloquy is always one of the night’s most memorable moments. He did not disappoint. At age 78, he proclaims to be in his “peak,” and judging by the way he hopped around the stage and energetically flapped his arms, I’d wager that the winning bidder is in for a treat!
On Saturday night, hundreds of guests gathered at Charleston Place for the Roper Xavier Society’s annual donor appreciation dinner. Last year, former Secretary of State Colin Powell regaled the crowd with his incredible insights on international relations. His quiet dignity renewed my patriotism, and I was buzzing about the statesman’s speech for weeks.
This year, news anchor Bob Woodruff, who was wounded while in Iraq two years ago, delivered the keynote remarks along with his wife, Lee. While on assignment, Bob’s crew was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device), and he sustained near fatal head wounds. His road to recovery has been a long journey that included a medically induced coma. The Woodruff’s perspective on health care and acute care resources was well-received by gala guests, many of whom work at Roper St. Francis hospital.
Asian-inspired accents made this dinner one of the more memorable amongst recent Fete Set outings. The bellowing of a Japanese drum signaled the end of the cocktail hour and the procession to dinner. Tables were draped in silk and adorned with jewel toned pots that held a stunning variety of orchids. Guests were invited to take an orchid home at the end of the night, but when I prepared to leave, I realized that all of the orchids from my table were gone. Anne Buxton, wife of the late Dr. Julian Buxton (who was honored during the dinner for his long-standing commitment to Roper Hospital), graciously gave me one of the pots from her table. Thank you!
The spectacular weather on Sunday meant a record turnout at the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association’s annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival. Thousands flocked to Boone Hall where the unmistakable aroma of steamed bivalved wafted across the enormous parking field. By mid afternoon rumor had it that the oyster supply was deleted, but another 8,000 bushels miraculously appeared.
Best wishes,
Ida
