IMC’s “Puttin’ On the Ritz”; Decades of Elegance and Glamour Revisited

Betty Sweet, Ned & Betty Capozzi

It was just like stepping into one of the dance scenes between Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby in "High Society", or Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in "Bringing Up Baby" , or Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in "Flying Down to Rio". And what better location than Doris Duke’s Rough Point seaside mansion for the Island Moving Company to host its fall cocktail party/fundraiser celebrating the organization’s 10th year of performing "The Nutcracker" at Rosecliff Mansion?

The evening's theme was a 1930’s-1960’s-style “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” and Newport Seen learned that creative brainstorming ‘keywords’ had included things like “Irving Berlin,” “Pucci,” “Chanel,” “F. Scott Fitzgerald,” “Cole Porter” – mixing decades a bit, but with the overall idea of past-era glamour.

A stunning performance in a gorgeous space

At this fete, IMC unveiled excerpts from its seasonal repertoire. three different performances were given throughout the night, occurring continually in various parts of the mansion: a fanciful ballroom romp to George Gershwin’s “Cheek to Cheek” by the Grand Staircase, a more dramatically romantic duet to Edith Piaf’s “Ne Me Quitte Pas” in the beautiful Music Room, and finally, Cole Porter’s “Get Out of Town” in the Solarium. Company dancers that night included Glen Lewis, Christine Sandorfi, Danielle Genest, Marcelino Juarez, Carol Tang, and Shane Farrell.

Guests were able to view the dancers so closely it was really like being part of the action – and this is a quality that the Island Moving Company has become known for, holding many performances within mansions and other venues that were never set up with official stages and chairs, but rather dancersadapting to the space and involving the audience in. The New York Times dance critic Alistair McCauley cited this quality when he favorably reviewed "The Nutcracker's" 2010 performance: its intimacy.

"Get Out of Town", danced by Carol and Shane

Event Co-Chairs Ellen Barnes and Christine Capozzi made sure the event went off without a hitch, while IMC Artistic Director and

Choreographer Miki Ohlsen oversaw the dancing. Other attendees

included Board Chair Kate Spinella and Board Members Bethany DiNapoli, Barbara Caldwell, Brenda Calkins, Donald Jagoe, Teddy Aspegren, and Marilyn Woloohojian.

Cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres were served in Rough Point’s large central room, paneled in dark wood and boasting antique paintings and sculptures. Available for silent auction were a whimsical painting by Newport’s own Eveline Roberge, a lovely, delicate drawing of a woman by Marilyn Kalish from her “Chanel Series 2,” and a cocktail party for 20 by Tom’s Market, the event caterer, which sold twice. Overall, more than 100 people attended the event, and upwards of $15,000 was raised to support Island Moving Company's programs, creativity, and artistry.

-- Amanda M. GrosvenorEditor's note:

(The IMC "Nutcracker", a Newport Christmas tradition, is now in performance. For a schedule of performances and tickets. go to www.islandmovingco.org/)