Gangsters 'n' ghosts come out to howl

It is the best party of the year, according to a skeleton, two pirates, Ghandi and a rag doll. Apes, angels, queens, and dinosaurs agreed. The assortment of sensational figures came together for Calgary Opera’s Grave Gala, a yearly costume fundraising gala. Many guests said they attend every year, attracted by the costumes, food, and music.

The scene was set in Hotel Arts and its Raw Bar, a trendy spot nestled south of the downtown core. A small room swathed in white linens and filled with swirling fog provided the entrance. Pink-haired “muses of sin” lounged on plush sofas and enticed guests with seductive looks and gestures. Beyond this gateway were further temptations in the form of delicious canapés and an immense throbbing dance floor, complete with cage dancers. Catering was provided by Hotel Arts and included mini beef burgers, spring rolls, chicken bruschetta, and lobster salad crostini. Although no one seemed to need the encouragement, several cash bars were available to dispel any lingering inhibitions. Further along a corridor, linking the hotel’s ballroom to its lounge, was the VIP reception. Along the way, large glass walls provided a view of the outside courtyard, where costumed guests sipped cocktails and smoked around a grand steaming hot tub.

Mingling in the VIP area were Kristine Eidsvik, chair of Alberta Ballet's board of directors and Justice of the Queen’s Bench, Bev Foy, chartered accountant with Collins Barrow Calgary LLP and past chair of the Calgary Opera board of directors, Duncan Ly, executive chef of Raw Bar and Saint Germain restaurant, Sean Halliday, president of Imagine eDock Systems, Bart Hribar, president of City Core Commercial Contracting, Christopher Mayell, an emerging artist with the Calgary Opera, Andrea Obermeier of Skyservice Airline, Shawn Calafatsi of Twin Butte Energy, Mark Pierson of Penn West Energy Trust, Brad MacDonald of EnCana, Ryan McCrae of Calvalley Petroleum Inc., and lawyer John Roggeveen.

Talking about her double duty as provincial judge and ballet jury, Eidsvik was rueful.

“You never know, some of these people could end up in my courtroom tomorrow!” she said, surveying the buoyant crowd.

Costumes and conversations followed the night’s theme – seven deadly sins. A seductive but vengeful Madusa, other wise known as managing optician Trudi Flagler of Eye-Q on Kensington, won the prize for best female costume. The elaborate headdress, sequined bikini top and flowing skirt were hand-made by her mother.

The Grave Gala sells out every year, with a maximum of 700 tickets available at $90 each. Its production of Faust begins Saturday, November 8 and runs a mere two weeks.

Published in National Post, November 1 2008