The Symphony Orchestra League of Alexandria (SOLA) will have its 17th annual ball — "All Around the World" — March 13, at the Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City. More than 200 people are expected to attend the affair.
Guests at the 2004 gala will experience being "All Around the World" when they enter the ballroom. Flags representing countries throughout the world will be on display, guests may dance to international tunes played by Mort Langstaff and his musicians, and taste foods like bouillabaisse, passion fruit tarragon gelee, and chocolate with whipped cream and Kahlua anglaise.
There will be items from far and near available for bid at the silent and live auctions. The silent auction will include more than 100 items such as overseas jewels and treasures for the home and gift certificates for many local restaurants.
THE LIVE AUCTION will include trips to far-away-places and the use of a British motor car [Rolls Royce] for an evening. All the items will be listed on-line at www.alexsym.org beginning in February.
SOLA's support enables the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra to provide professional symphonic music for all aspects of the community at reasonable prices. SOLA members raise between $60,000 and $80,000 a year through fund-raising events such as the annual ball, "Supper with the Symphony," featuring celebrity waiters, holiday auction and Spring luncheon.
This year's "Supper with the Symphony" was held in October at Clyde's Restaurant at Mark Center. Tucker Carlson, host of CNN "Crossfire," Maestro Kim Allen Kluge, US Senator John Warner, and the State Senator Patsy Ticer (D-30) were among the celebrities who mingled with the guests. This year the Supper's tips netted more than $7,000.
Each December a SOLA member hosts an auction and luncheon to help with the holiday shopping and to raise money for the ASO. Another cash generator is the sale of peanuts. Profits from the sale are not peanuts. SOLA raised more than $4,000 this year.
SOLA's success goes further than just raising money. The organization introduces elementary school children to the world of music. In addition, each year the membership sponsors the Mary Graham Lasley Scholarship competition. Three monetary prizes are awarded to college students studying music. This year the event will be held Feb. 8, at The Lyceum and will be hosted by musician Branford Marsalis.
Upcoming Events
*Feb. 3 — Address Invitations to the Ball
*Feb. 8 — Scholarship Competition at The Lyceum
*March 13 — SOLA Ball at the Ritz
*May 11— Spring Luncheon at the Army-Navy Country Club
Contact Ruth Kupperschlag at 703-370-3323 or R.kupperschlag@att.net for membership information and times and locations of events.
Contact Jane Ring at 703-548-7454 or jring10@comcast.net for ball reservations.