COPE Benefit Concert and Silent Auction in Alamogordo, New Mexico

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Everyone was in a festive mood as the COPE (Center of Protective Environment) Benefit began with a Silent Auction set up in Patron's Hall next to the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts. The auction was beautifully arranged by Judy Pingel, Carol Teweleit and Perry Lawson. Businesses and individuals really came through for the Silent Auction donating fantastic items which were well bid on and brought in over $2000 for COPE.

Kay Gomolak, Executive Director of COPE, and all COPE Board members worked very hard contacting people for donations and sponsorships and it definitely paid off with approximately $22,000 donated which will benefit the ability of COPE to give assistance to those who come for help.

Teresa Ham donated her expertise in assembling and directing the benefit concert "To Broadway and Beyond" at the Flickinger. Alamogordo is indeed fortunate to have so many talented people living in the area and they donated their time and talent along with hours of rehearsals to provide a class A show.

The Academy of Ballet dancers outdid themselves in three terrific numbers, "Broadway Melody", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "Sing, Sing, Sing". Alamogordo is most fortunate to have such an outstanding dance academy producing excellent dancers and the results were quite apparent Saturday night.

There wasn't a bad number in the eighteen acts and my husband, Doug and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I happen to be partial to the saxophone so the Saxophone Quartet: "Darn Saxy" was really special to me.

This was also attended by members of New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society of which I am Queen Ladybird. The girls won items at the Silent Auction and from all I could hear after the concert, were delighted they came.

L to R: Friend Polly with Vice Queen Donna Williams and Queen Ladybird aka Carla Kerr of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society visiting in Patron Hall before the concert.

VQ Donna

Judy Pingel in background making sure everything is properly set up for the Silent Auction

The always jovial Judy Pingel, COPE Board member and Chair of  the Strategic Fund Raising Committee

Carol Teweleit, Vice President of  COPE Board checking out auction items

Kay Gomolak, Executive Director of COPE

Carla and Kay happily in discussion

COPE Board President Jerold Wiley and VP Carol eyeing the auction items

Benefit Concert Director Teresa Ham

L to R: Carla, Safi Lee Hornett with friend at the Silent Auction

Attendee Joy Kosinski bidding on an item in the Silent Auction

Red Hatters Trudy Reese, Jan Jennings, VP Donna, Gail Swineford and Carla

Carla with Michael Hillis Mowery, Owner of White Sands Bistro

COPE Executive Director Kay Gomolak opening the show

"Broadway Melody" beautifully danced by members of the Academy of Ballet (The Jack Hymen Orchestra 1938)

"Mango Tree" from Zac Brown Band, sung by Mike Julian and Joni Castello

"Marry Me a Little" from Company, sung by Ryan Wallway to Mariah Hernandez

"Astonishing" from Little Women, sung by Elaina Orwoll

"Then You Can Take Me To the Fair" from Camelot, sung by Kasi Bryant, Ryan Wallway, Michael Rodges and Mark Bryant

Mark Bryant and Kasi Bryant

"Beauty and the Beast," Kasi Bryant and Ryan Wallaway, from Broadway Loves Celine Dion

"Popular" from Wicked, Marley Ham as Galinda and Addie Martinez as Elphaba from the Emerald City

"The Rose" Bette Midler, Frank Montoya, Piano solo/ or "Somewhere over the Rainbow" 1934 Wizard of Oz

Saxophone Quartet: "Darn Saxy" medley of classic jazz featuring Joseph Gonzales-Alto, Tony Lopez-lead Alto/soprano, Julianne Hall-Tenor and Jim Mack-baritone

"Fascinating Rhythm" Kasi Bryant, from the Ella Fitzgerald's Jazz Collection

"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" Music: Nat King Cole, appeared first in 1934 film Moulin Rouge. Danced by Academy of Ballet dancers

"I Am Woman" from Smokey Joe's Cafe, Kasi Bryant and Julie Bryant  Gents: Michael Rodgers, Mark Bryant

"Sing, Sing, Sing", Music: Benny Goodman, Shows: Dancin' in 1978 and Fosse in 1999 danced by members of the Academy of Ballet

"A Girl Worth Fighting For" from movie Mulan. Elaina Orwoll, Mark Bryant, Michael Rodgers and Ryan Wallway

"No Time at All" from Pippin, Julie Bryant, vocal, Michael Carrillo as Pippin. Backup singers: Kasi, Ryan Michael, and Mike J, Elaina

Thanks and kuddos to Teresa Ham, Director, Kasi Bryant, Co-Director, Jacob Powers, Stage Manager, Michael Carrillo, Technical Assistant and Kelly Lynch, Lighting, Sound and Moderator, each and everyone of the singers and dancers, the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts for hosting the COPE Benefit, the businesses and individuals who donated money and items for the Silent Auction, the COPE Board and Kay Gomolak for their enthusiasm in making this happen so successfully and to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for the great pictures.

This is all I have to say for now.

Some Holiday Events Around Alamogordo New Mexico Part II

December 17, 2015

Several members of the Cope Board of Directors and Cope employees greeted concert goers at the Flickinger Theater for the Performing Arts for the Flickinger Fundraiser Concert for COPE on Thursday evening, December 17, 2015. Entrance fee was by donation only and over $1100.00 was raised for COPE here in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

COPE is the Center of Protective Environment which deals with the problem of domestic violence and maintains an emergency shelter for these abused people. They also provide Crisis Intervention, Legal and Medical Advocacy, Counseling and Support Groups, Children's Programs, Community Education - Informal and Referral, Emergency clothing and Household Items.

COPE maintains a 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 575-437-273 Alamogordo and 866-350-2673 in Ruidoso.

They are always in need of volunteers and to find out more, call 575-434-3622 in Alamogordo.

The concert was lovely and fun. Titled "A New Mexico Musical Christmas", it included The House Band directed by Ron Keller, Holiday Trio made up of Lynnette Wedig, Rob Hicks and Donnie Burk, Alamogordo Show Choir directed by Carol Widener and Slippery Jack Holiday Blues and Rock.

Concert beginning with Alamogordo scenes and COPE info on screen in background

Lynnette Wedig playing masterfully at the keyboard

Do not know the young man on drums, but he was quite good

One of the many singers

L to R: I believe this is Lynnette, Rob and Donnie

An excellent duo

This gentleman has a beautiful voice

The girl on the left is with Slippery Jack

Choir Director Carol Widener

The Alamogordo High School Show Choir

They were singing this song to each other but why so far apart?

A good effort by these two young ladies

This young lady has a lovely voice

Another pair singing to each other far apart

The young lady is Katie and she has a big voice

Katie, singing "Amazing Grace" dedicated to her mother

The whole ensemble choir finishing their part of the program

Ron Keller saying a few words before Slippery Jack comes on

The Slippery Jack group

Slippery Jack, the man

Slippery Jack songstress singing the closing song

The concert was great and gave opportunities for Alamogordo students to display their talents. We are most grateful to the Flickinger for hosting this charitable event for COPE as they have for several years now. This is a prime example of the community working together for a good cause.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photographer for the lovely photos.

This is all I have to say for now.