COPE Benefit Concert and Silent Auction Fundraiser

Saturday, March 4, 2017

COPE (Center Of Protective Environment) held their benefit fundraiser of the year entitled "Legends of Song and Dance" at the Flickinger Center for Performance Arts in downtown Alamogordo, New Mexico on Saturday evening, March 4, 2017.

Under the direction of the talented Teresa Ham, this year's performances were excellent. Teresa is also the writer and set director. Jerold Wiley (President of COPE) was the Stage Manager Chief; Kay Gomolak (Director of COPE) was the Technical Assistant; Kelly Lynch handled Lighting and Sound; Perry Lawson (COPE Community Outreach Liaison) was Stage Crew; Loren Jackson was the Narrator for the program. We owe a huge round of applause to these dedicated, talented people for supporting a beautiful program of entertainment with their hard work.

Attendees placing their bids during the Silent Auction

The Silent Auction took place in Patron's Hall with all of their fabulous art work. That's Carla Kerr in the purple hat contemplating a bid.

Some of Carla's Red Hat friends L to R: VQ Donna Williams, her friend, Nannette, Gail Swineford , Jan Jennings and Trudy Reese enjoying ice cream and coffee before the show begins.

The show opens

Loren Jackson, the talented narrator of the show

Donnie Burt gave a beautiful rendition of 'Summertime' from Porgy and Bess, 1934, Ella Fitzgerald, 1958-68

Juliana Brineger delightfully sang 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow,' Wizard of Oz, 1939

The lovely Hillary Marshall sang 'I Could Have Danced All Night,' My Fair Lady, 1956

Every bit as good as the Andrews Sisters, Donnie Burt, Heather Bash and Joni Costello gave a marvelous performance of 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B' 1941, 1956.

Rob and Kelly Hicks 'Simple Gifts' entertained all with 'Hey Good Looking,' Hank Williams, 1951

Sage Drake belted out two songs,'Crazy' 1961 and 'Walkin After Midnight,' Patsy Cline, 1958

Marley Ham sang a lovely rendition of 'Blue,' LeAnn Rimes, 1996

'Therapy,' Tick Tick Boom, 1990, as sung by Lee Austin and Hillary Marshall had everyone laughing

'Bye Bye Love,' Everly Brothers, 1958...Academy of Ballet, Choreographed by Monique Foster and beautifully danced by Brittany Hymer and Daniel Lindsay.

'My Funny Valentine,' 1937, 1945, A very professional trumpet solo by Russell Teweleit

'Misty,' Johnny Mathis, Signature song, 1959, beautifully sung by Mike Julian.

'Frozen' Medley from the movie, 2013...Vocals by Caroline and Elaina Orwell, two very talented and lovely sisters

'Frozen' Medley from the movie, 2013, Choreographed by Brittany Hymer. Dancers: Casen Collins, Lydia Fyock, Brittany Hymer and Kyra Zartner. Dancers were absolutely stunning.

'Good Morning Baltimore,' Hairspray, 2007 sung by Marley Ham. Marley never disappoints in her performances.

'Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets' Damn Yankees, 1955, 1995 revival.....Kasi Bryant's performance of this song was a show stopper!

'Too Darn Hot,' Ella Fitzgerald, 1956, 2013...Academy of Ballet, Choreographed by Monique Foster. Dancers: Jessica Ansell, Casen Collins, Lydia Fyock, Mariah Hernandez, Caroline Williams and Kyra Zartner. The Academy of Ballet is loaded with talent!

'This is the Moment,' from Jeckyll and Hyde, 1994 as sung by the handsome and talented Lee Austin.

'Nights in White Satin,' Moody Blues, 1967...Academy f Ballet Choreographed by Kandyce Taylor. Dancers: Casen Collins and Mariah Hernandez

Part of the above ballet dancers is the male ballet dancer, Daniel Lindsay with Mariah Hernandez

'All I Ask of You,' Phantom of the Opera, 1988, Broadway. Beautifully rendered by Lee Austin and Hillary Marshall.

'Hallelujah,' by Leonard Cohen, 1985 and Shrek movie, 2016. Performed by Mike Julian with Donnie Burt, Heather Bash and Joni Castello and Cast, Trumpet, Russell Teweleit. This was a stunning "end of show" performance by the complete ensemble.

Curtain Call

L to R: Kay Gomolak, COPE Director presenting flowers to Teresa Ham, Director, while Loren Jackson, Narrator, looks on

COPE Director Kay Gomolak thanking everyone and announcing that this was the most successful fundraiser ever!

I was thrilled to find out that I won this beautiful lamp at the Silent Auction. There was a perfect spot in my living room just waiting for the right lamp to pop up and this was it!

The show was the best ever and I never cease to be amazed at the talent in our little town of Alamogordo, New Mexico. We did import Russell Teweleit, music professor at Texas A and M in Canyon, Texas who enthralled us with his trumpet renditions. He is the son of Carol Teweleit who is Vice President of COPE as well as our newest School Board Member, recently elected. Thanks, Russell for contributing your talent to the cause.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the benefit by sponsoring, donating items for the Silent Auction and sharing your talent for making this COPE Benefit just the best one ever.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photographer for the wonderful pictures.

This is all I have to say for now.