Was that really the refined Isabel David prancing around the stage in white petticoat, cinched bustier and a giant pouf of a blonde wig, a la Madonna? Yes, indeed. And that was just part of the musical fun at the second annual "Singing With the Houston Idols" dinner evening benefiting Houston Grand Opera.
Becca Cason Thrash reprised her role as hostess with the mostess, opening the doors to her Memorial area home for the fundraiser which she founded and once again chaired.
Six brave amateurs (some emboldened by a little fire water) took the stage to sing not only for their supper but also for HGO coffers, which were enriched by more than $150,000. Once the music concluded, the audience of closet to 200 voted on their favorite talent.
Two sultry sirens — Sallymoon Bentz and Sharin Gaille— had the audience swaying with their versions of The Girl from Ipanema and Fever, respectively.
Long-time opera patron Andrew Moore of Corpus Christi was the winner for his wicked rendition of Cole Porter's Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love). We can't be certain if it was the altered lyrics, the Texas references or the suggestive moves he made with his cane that won the voters' affection. All of that with his booming/perfect pitch voice proved the winning combo.
Mike Plank had the ladies swooning with his Elvis impersonation while Ford Hubbard III performed a romantic version of Night and Day, directed at his bride, Molly Hubbard. Two sultry sirens — Sallymoon Bentz and Sharin Norman — had the audience swaying with their versions of The Girl from Ipanema and Fever, respectively.
As Cason Thrash pointed out in her role as emcee, the singing fete turned into something of a gourmet feast as chefs from 024 Grille, Branch Water Tavern, Kata Robata and Soma Sushi put forward their finest for dinner, washed down with wines from the Tasting Room/Lasco Enterprises.
The party crowd included HGO managing director Perryn Leech and wife Caroline, Randy Powers and Bill Caudell, Sarah Dodd Spickelmier, Beth Madison, Donna and Bob Bruni, Margaret Williams and Jim Daniel, Diane Lokey Farb, Sima Ladjevardian, Sabiha Rehmatulla and Caroline Starry LeBlanc and Jared LeBlanc.
