Treat for Cliburn fans

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jul 5, 1996 by JOAN GILMORE

Legendary pianist Van Cliburn will perform with our very own Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Civic Center Music Hall. Cliburn will play Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor" at the 8:15 p.m. concert.

The Odyssey Society of the Philharmonic has sent out patron letters inviting Cliburn fans to attend a post-concert gala in the Music Hall's Hall of Mirrors and meet the famous pianist, who rarely plays concert engagements.

John and Mary Nichols, who headed the campaign to secure the Philharmonic's outstanding piano, are serving as honorary chairmen for this gala, and Craig Story is chairman for the Odyssey Society that is arranging the gala. Cliburn will do his concert on a Hamburg- Steinway nine-foot grand piano purchased in Paris. Patron letters have gone out about the gala, which is priced at $250 per person and includes prime seating for the once-in-a-lifetime performance as well as for attendance at the after party. General admission tickets are not yet on sale.

The Cliburn concert is not part of the Philharmonic's regular Classics Series.

Mark These Dates, Too

Saturday, Oct. 26, is the date set for the granddaddy of the local auctions, the Phaythopen Charity Society Auction, a benefit for the seven arts agencies sheltered under the Allied Arts umbrella. The black-tie party will be at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and American Airlines is celebrating its return of jet service to OKC by offering some very special trips for auction. The acquisition committee will meet Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Debbie and Michael Thomas for updating the exciting plans.

Friday, Sept. 13, is the date for the Bolo Ball, the fab party at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. Plan ahead since it's often sold out.

For the first time ever, the Renaissance Ball will NOT be on a Thursday night. This year's party, a benefit for the Oklahoma City Art Museum, will be on Friday, Sept. 20. The ornate lobby of the First National Center again will be the setting for the black-tie party.

Quail Creek Golf and Country Club's the place. Sept. 27's the date. The Arthritis Foundation's annual Bushwacker's Ball is the event.

The Journal Record's annual Corporate Woman of the Year luncheon will be Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the Marriott Hotel. Nomination forms will be available Aug. 1 at The Journal Record's new office, 222 N. Robinson Ave.

Lyric Theatre Guild's 21st annual Festival of the Trees will be Nov. 24-25 at the Marriott Hotel with a holiday brunch, a luncheon and fashion show, and dozens of gift boutiques. The volunteers have planned a Teddy Bear Party at the Oklahoma Children's Theatre the weekend of Nov. 15-16 when kids can have their pictures taken with Santa Bear.

Private Reserve, one of the best parties of the year, will be Friday, Nov. 22, and has been moved to the newly redecorated Waterford Hotel. The accompanying Bookworm Bash will be the next night at 50 Penn Place. Proceeds from both wine tastings will go to the Community Literacy Centers.

More on music

I didn't get to finish the programs on the American Music Festival next week at Duncan's Simmons Center.

The orchestral concert at 8 p.m. Friday, July 12, will feature the world premiere of Donald Grantham's Southern Harmony, Joseph Turrin's Modinha, Peter Schickele's Thurber's Dogs (with projected line drawings by Thurber), and Stephen Paulus' Voices from the Gallery with narration by New York actress Janet Bookspan (again with colorful projected artworks).

A family concert is planned at 11 a.m. the next day, followed by a Festival picnic at noon. That evening a pre-concert dinner is planned at 6:30 p.m., before a performance by Gary Morris, a country, Broadway and popular music singer. The festival will conclude on Sunday, July 14, at 2 p.m. with a performance by the outstanding Dallas Wind Symphony. The variety of music will include composers Robert R. Bennett, John Philip Sousa, Ron Nelson, Leonard Bernstein and Donald Grantham.

Information about tickets is available by calling (405) 252-2401 or (800) 255-0909.

Elvis, live in Stillwater!

To celebrate its 21st year, Eskimo Joe's in Stillwater is having parties all this month. But Elvis will take the spotlight on Thursday when all Elvis impersonators are invited to come vie for a grand prize trip to Las Vegas. Audience members will be able to win prizes and jelly doughnuts for answering Elvis trivia.

Eskimo Joe's now has an "outback," an outdoor setting behind the club where special events can be held. Surely it will alleviate the crowding of past special events!

Rembrandt's for a reason

Guest chef Ken Bradford will serve a five-course gourmet dinner on Sunday, July 14, at 7 p.m., with Rembrandt's Restaurant being the host setting. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Oklahoma City Food Bank. Peter Carl is the owner of Rembrandt's in Casady Square, 92116 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Joan Gilmore welcomes your comments and contributions. Reach her at (405) 278-2842, by fax at (405) 278-2890, or by e-mail, dpage