Money was raised from ticket sales and a silent auction that included everything from hand-painted pianos and python bags to a sunset cruise and signed guitars. Bidding could be done at the event or online, and it reached $2,000 for a night of jazz by Mary Ann Hurst and dinner by Jimmy Stevenson for the buyer and 30 of their friends at The Millstone at Adams Pond.
The Gala itself was a night of art and fun appealing to all tastes. The event established its high-energy atmosphere with performances by the Unbound Dance Company, featuring Tina Turner, Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz and Janis Joplin impersonators, on stage in the lobby.
"This is my first time being here, but I have to give mad props to the girl who wore the mask," said fourth-year elementary education student, Margaret Bauknight. "It had to be hard to see and even breathe in a costume like that, and she was dancing in it."
Bauknight, who attended the gala with recent USC alumna Hannah Floyd, was referring to one of the Lady Gaga impersonators, who was dressed crown to toe in red lace a la Gaga's "Bad Romance" video.
The Museum seemed to be split into sections for different themes. The "glamour" seemed to be the running theme on the first floor where third-year sport and entertainment management student Mary McDonald performed.
Going by the name MaryLiz, McDonald, a self-taught piano player, performed a few different numbers, including tunes by Alicia Keys, her own work and even a few oldies.
"Otis [Taylor, of The State newspaper] got in touch with me and just asked me if I was available to do it," said McDonald of how she ended up on stage. "It was fun."
Near the stage in the lobby, the garden terrace was outfitted in white leather and beautiful flower arrangements. Entitled "The Piano Bar," the space hosted pianist Rick Depro.
Taylor could be found on the second floor outside of the "grittier" part of the event, spinning hip hop and classic rap records in the Coffee Bar. Enticed by tunes and treats like chocolate fondue, there was a steady stream of event go-ers throughout Taylor's set.
Inside of a large future expansion space in the Museum, was the "grit" component of the gala. With graffiti'd walls by Izms of Art, an interactive art group, the space hosted local band The Swingin' Richards, go-go dancers and a dance floor. Many guests visited tattoo artist Sarah Dippity outside the room for a temporary tattoo before going in to dance and write on the walls as part of the interactive art experience.
More Like This
Relay for Life raises $169k for cancer research
By Hannah Jeffrey | April 21, 2013