Rebecca Reports

Published March 23rd, 2008

Boca was arts and party central as Festival of the Arts BOCA drew to  a close.  Music and book lovers mingled with international stars and festival sponsors. There was lots of fun activity off-stage as well as on!

Thursday, the festival’s VIP tent was packed with guests of sponsors, First Southern Bank. Popular bank VP, Ioana Grigore, welcomed over 200 clients and friends who enjoyed a performance by Chick Corea and Gary Burton, then stayed to party until 2 a.m. I was introduced to violin virtuoso, Joshua Bell who was quietly hanging out with friends, incognito. The following night, Bell gave one of his signature inspirational performances, with the Russian National Orchestra. The conductor was the beautiful and talented, Alondra de la Parra, the first of two guest conductors who stepped in an indisposed Teodor Currentzis.

Saturday afternoon, I joined a packed VIP tent for an intriguing discussion between best friends; opera star Renée Fleming and author Ann Patchett. Billed as “The Mutual Admiration Society of Ann Patchett and Renée Fleming,” the innovative event was part of the festival’s highly successful literary component.

Saturday evening’s first stop was the Boca Raton Museum of Art’s “Degas &The Dance” black tie gala at the Boca Marriott. Event chair Doreen Alrod and fellow event committee members had  transformed the ballroom into a vision of pink and Moulin Rouge-down to the pink and black feather table pieces. My genial table host was Michael Budd of Wachovia Wealth Management. Michael was a popular guy that night since he is the chair of the museum trustees’ nominating committee and nominations are due!

Second stop, was back at the Festival of the Arts for the Kaufman Lynn VIP party following a lively performance by Tiempo Libre. A highlight of the night was a surprise birthday cake and gift for IMG  Artists head, Elizabeth Sobol. We all sang “Happy Birthday”, accompanied by none-other than Joshua Bell, on his Stradivarius! One of the festival’s original boosters, Mercedes Mottek, flew in for the occasion. This tireless live-wire is already organizing concerts to support non-profits in Portugal and other European countries!

Sunday, closing night, was the night Boca fell madly in love with Renée Fleming.  Guest conductor was long time Fleming friend, Maestro Richard Bado. Transformed into a golden vision, Fleming took the audience through a repertoire of classic arias in part one and American classics such as “Over the Rainbow,” in part two. In a surprise move, the stately Russian National orchestra lightened up with a medley from the musical, “Chicago.” Fleming joked, “I’m sure they play that all the time back home!” A diva with a sense of humor and a sense of style is a wondrous sight and the encores went on and on. Festival presenting sponsor, Woolbright Development, hosted the closing night party, made all the more special by the arrival of Renée Fleming who looked just as dazzling in person.

All in all, a triumphant finale to Festival of the Arts BOCA which has truly grown up in only it’s second year of life!