Spoleto Auction at Hotel Bennett
The Party: This "sparkle" themed evening, held just a week after the grand opening of Hotel Bennett, was a marvelous way to welcome Spoleto to back Charleston once again. The food, prepared by the hotel's chefs Michael Sichel, Bob Gibson, and pastry chef Remy Funfrock was delightfully elegant, with hors d'ourves served on marble slabs. Both the live and silent auctions combined raised more than $500,000 for the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, one of the country's most presigious ensembles for young professional musicans. One of the Orchestra's own violinists, Shannon Fitzhenry, performed beautifully that evening as guests perused auction items like artwork by Paul Yanko and Joseph Cave, a tropical getaway to Nassau, tickets to the Masters golf tournament, and a week in an Italian castle, to name a few. Highlight: Mingling with figures both local and international like Mayor John Tecklenburg, Congressman Joe Cunningham, Anita Zucker, and Domenico De Sole Overheard: "How tough do you think it will be to win the Paul Yanko painting? I think it would look great in my house..." Beneficiary: Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra
