St. Louisans looking forward to the Christmas holidays started with a brilliant performance by brother and sister Keith Fiddmont on sax and songbird Lynn Fiddmont on December 4. The sold out 3rd annual holiday-themed concert was a delight to all in the acoustically pleasant Sheldon Concert Hall. The after-party was held at Herbie’s in the CWE. The entire evening was coordinated by longtime family friend Dr. Pam Jackson. Lynn and Keith performed a repertoire of holiday favorites. When she left town Lynn, was looking forward to her Washington, D.C. performance on the 21st at Blues Alley. D.C. correspondents say that show was also sold out. Impressive, Lynne!
Many well-heeled St. Louisans and out of towners look forward to Nelly’s 8th Annual Black and White Ball, a local black tie affair. The gala, held December 22 in the Four Seasons Hotel Ballroom, was (as usual) a grand and festive affair. Amit Dhawan’s Synergy Productions coordinated the mainline event that showcases Nelly’s Lindenwood College Scholarship program. New this year, donations were accepted for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Our very own Mike Claiborne and Darius Bradford kept the crowd laughing in between fantastic musical performances by Dirty Mugs and En Vogue.
There were many familiar and new faces enjoying the music, food, gourmet desserts and top-shelf drinks. The lines at the photo booths were constant, but everyone was enjoying the party pictures.
Just to name a few of the guests I ran into: Gabrielle and Tony Davis Sr., David and Pamela Reese, James and Robin Walker, Tiara and Terrence Curry, Rayna Meyers, Barbara Meyers, Ashaki Meyers, Ashley Donahue, Scott Rosenblum, Esq., Les Bond Jr. (Attucks), Pete Lamothe, Dre Broussard, Arielle Vivian, Randi Christine, Farin Marie, Loren Siobhan, Danielle Irving, Dana Sims (ICM Talent Partners-LA), Brandra Ringo (Universal Motown-LA) and Tavon Sampson (Warner Bros.-LA), Chalena Mack and Louis Schello, the multi-talented St. Lunatics including Kijuan, Murph and City Spud, Kenny Powell (Platinum Sports), Morgan McKenzie (Washington, DC), Kenya Vaughn (St. Louis American), Tammie Holland (KMJM), Cameron Davis, Titus Davis and Nicole Woodie (St. Louis Rams).
Attorneys Jerryl Christmas, Inez Ross, Shevon Harris, Hope Whitehead and the Honorable Joan K. Miller hosted their annual office Christmas party on December 20. The decorative lawyers’ suite was the perfect location for the pre-Christmas celebration catered by De Palm Tree’s Easton Roamer and Pappy’s Bar-B-Que.
Lots of guests were on hand for this annual holiday soiree. including the Honorable Ronnie White, The Honorable Don McCullin, The Honorable Mavis Thompson, Jackie Christmas, Attorney Larry Deskins, Attorney Richard Banks, Attorney Pete Woods, Andrea Jackson-Jennings (director of Human Services St. Louis County), Gregory Smith, Dr. Charlie Quigless, Billy Topps, Attorney Rufus Tate, Steve Chalmers, Marco Thompson and Attorney Jack Simon.
Don’t miss the St. Louis Black Rep’s production of “The Meeting,” running January 8 – 26 at the Black Rep’s new home. The emotional story tells of a fictional meeting between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X. Please call The Black Rep box office for tickets (314-534-3807). All performances will be held in the Emerson Performance Center at Harris-Stowe State University.
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom was time well spent. This film opened Christmas day and chronicles the life of Nelson Mandela. Powerful!
Happy New Year!
Dana Grace: dgrandolph@live.com.
