What a magical evening! Just before dinner, partygoers were serenaded by guitarist Sam Adams, and then - behold! - a surprise performance of the Santa Barbara Choral Society of the “Brindisi” (“Drinking Song”) of Verdi’s La Traviata, featuring a rousing choral response to Orange County tenor Xavier Prado and Santa Barbara soprano Christine Hollinger who descended the stairs over the El Paseo stage while singing the famous “Libiamo, libiamo ne’lieti calici” aria.
We thank the wonderful donors to our Live Auction: El Taj Condo Hotel, Playa del Carmen, Yucatan; Encanta la Vida, Costa Rica; Biltmore Santa Barbara, Ty Warner Hotels and Resorts; and a South Pacific diving cruise from Jean-Michel Cousteau. We then danced into the night with Hillary’s favorite local beach-party band – the FOG (Favorite Olden Goldies) — and there was a surprise performance on accordion by the one and only Zach Gill from the Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO). Thanks to Heather Hudson & Shannon Trotta for organizing this fun party! And thanks to Karen Williams, Kate Rees, Dan Secord and other members of the Choral Society. Last but not least, thank you, dear Julia Louis-Dreyfus for being our wonderful honorary chair, for always helping us!