Looking Back on the March 1, 2025 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Gala
Over 80 members and friends of the Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter enjoyed the wonderful second annual Gala event on Saturday evening, March 1. The major fund raiser was held at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria. Kudos to chapter development director, Ken Rub, who was the lead in making the event a huge success that was fun for all. Theme for the evening was ‘Emerald Affair – a wickedly Irish Gala.’ Attendees carried out the spirit and wore a great array of green and Irish attire! Table decorations created by Cathy Kauffmann added to the theme.
Special keynote speaker for the evening, was Dr. Jim Henry, a Harmonizer coach and chapter friend from St. Louis, MO, where he is director of the Ambassadors of Harmony chorus. During his encouraging remarks about the character of the AACC chapter, he shared a message from chapter artistic director, Joe Cerutti, who was on travel and not able to attend. Jim thanked the chapter for inviting he and his wife to attend. They enjoyed some days as tourists in the DC Metro area. Jim also shared fond memories of past exchanges with the Ambassadors and the Harmonizers; and he spoke about the important history of the chapter as part of the Barbershop Harmony Society for over 75 years.
Special thanks go to caterer, Joan Wolford of Savoir Fare Limited, for the fantastic dinner with great service, yummy family-style main dishes and desserts, and a creative hors d’oeuvres table. The generous bar was also available all evening beginning with the opening period when attendees could make additional bids on the many terrific silent auction items. Bidding had begun online days in advance of the Gala.
Randall Eliason was chair of the silent auction that raised major funds for the chapter. The rest of his team included Mary Cooper, Callie Warren and Hannah Nesich with assistance from chapter general manager, Susan Fitzpatrick. The auction items were displayed on decorated tables in the reception area.
During the reception period, there was great Irish music and dancing provided by the Corkers, Bobby Seay and his sister Michaela Seay. They are offspring of the famous Seay barbershop family in the Baltimore area.
There was a live auction item for the evening – a basket of liquors donated by the musical directors of the three ensembles in AACC. Jim Henry offered the auction item after dinner and Frank Shipp emerged as high bidder for the basket from the many competing bidders. Angela Marty held the winning ticket for the evening’s 50/50 drawing!
Guest quartet for the banquet was SECRET BEST FRIENDS – Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) champs. Former Harmonizer, Will Simmons, who sings bass in that quartet, was sick with the flu and so David Breen sang two songs with the quartet and Jim Henry sang two. They were great and the rich bass sounds were terrific.
Samantha Tramack thanked those who attended and expressed appreciation from leaders of all three of the singing ensembles in AACC for the support generated at this year’s Gala. Mike Kelly was on hand to provide sound for the evening. Other volunteers were Will Wittaker, David Means, Zak Sandler, Catherine LaValley.
Until next time– editorjack!
(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record for the great things going on each week during the 76th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)
The Chapter Mission Statement: Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.
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