OKC Events: May 9, 2007

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City),  May 9, 2007  by Joan Gilmore

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That was the theme of the Skirvin Hilton grand opening gala, which benefited the Arts Council of Oklahoma City and honored Marion DeVore, chair of the inaugural Festival of the Arts back in the 1960s. It truly was a colorful night, with lime-green tablecloths and napkins and pink and red runners across the tables. The stage was backlit with a pink tube and a red tube, a lovely background for the Al Good Band, which provided the musical entertainment. The late Al Good and his musicians played many a ball and gala in the early years of the Skirvin.

Honorary chairs of the evening were Polly and Larry Nichols - poor Larry, who labored long and hard to get the guests into the Grand Ballroom, and then to get them to sit down. Jenifer Reynolds was emcee and jollied the guests into behaving. John Weeman, president of Partners in Development, the developer and partner of the Skirvin Hilton, and Steve Marcus, chairman of the Marcus Corp., spoke. Arts Council board member Rick Vermillion expressed the nonprofit's appreciation for the benefit and introduced Jackie Jones, former executive director of the Arts Council. She, in turn, introduced Marion DeVore and presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award as the crowd gave a standing ovation. (By then it was well after 9:30 p.m. and they probably were ready to stretch their legs anyway!).

The delightful evening concluded with fabulous desserts served in the Petite Ballroom. Presenting sponsors included Architectural Design Group Inc., Cardinal Engineering, Chesapeake Energy Corp., Corner Energy, Crowe & Dunlevy, Devon Energy Corp., First Oklahoma Corp., Flintco, MidFirst Bank, SandRidge Energy Inc., Skirvin Partners LLC, The Oklahoman, and Williams, Box, Forshee and Bullard.

Among the guests were Kathy and John Michael Williams, Peter Dolese, Susan and Peter Hoffman (escorting the honoree, his mother), Mike Mize, Bill Bleakley, Robert Henry, Vicki and Leland Gourley, Steve and Kim Mason, John and Seyan Hefner, Willa Johnson, Don Cain, Mike Joseph, Ed and Carole Kelley, Barbara and Dick Kerrick, Claudine Long, Stacey Ford, Chuck and Renate Wiggin, Robert Allee, Cher Bumps, Jeff Reynolds, Carol and Mac Troy, Greg Story and Nancy and Jim Sharrock.

Bronze conductor

A new sculpture adorns the plaza at Civic Center Music Hall. You'll find a larger-than-life statue honoring Oklahoma City's Philharmonic and its musical director, Maestro Joel Levine. Created by renowned artist Mike Larsen, the sculpture of a conductor with baton raised also plays tribute to past orchestra conductors who led the Philharmonic's predecessor.

Represented from the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra during the years 1937 to 1988 are Ralph Rose, Victor Allessandro, Guy Fraser Harrison, Ray Luke, Ainslee Cox and Luis Herrera de la Fuente.

An official Centennial Project, the statue funding was donated by Jeannette and Richard L. Sias. Additional support comes from the Oklahoma City Centennial Committee and the city of Oklahoma City. The Conductor is the first of two statues planned to honor the city's performing arts.

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