Dueling patrons parties

Bella Notte and FrivoliTIES patrons parties

Published On: April 13, 2009

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01.12.06 What a range. Bella Notte patrons gathered at the home of Ann and Dick Ragsdale for a little light opera. All atwitter about a sold-out Bella Notte. Friendly crowd of opera lovers, also admiring each other. “I’m not saying Ann Calhoun knew Bill Shakespeare personally,” said Dick Frank, “but she knows more about him than damn near anybody.”

Soprano Julie Cox trilled a couple of ridiculously impressive arias before dinner. Then they all went downstairs into a silver wonderland for dinner. Brett Corrieri catered, and what a man: walnut, prosciutto and spinach salad with hot mushrooms and pancetta vinaigrette; followed by butternut squash and shrimp bisque, and an entrée of racks of venison—huge servings—in a pomegranate glaze, with crepes filled with hazelnut brown butter for dessert.

01.12.06 Nothing frivolous about it. When Harry and Jan Jacobson entertain, it is divine. They fêted FrivoliTIES honorary chairs Missy Eason (who works with Harry at Vanderbilt) and Hunter Atkins at a patrons party benefiting Family and Children’s Service. String quartet upstairs, sushi in the living room, and Sharon Johnson Catering on the dining room buffet and under the tent. Her desserts alone were a tour de force—brownie lollypops, dipped in whipped cream, individual parfaits and banana puddings.

Weezie bragged on Missy and Hunter, who together have worked on the agency’s behalf for more than 60 years—and these are young people we’re talking about! Among many other duties including both chairing the board, they co-chaired the capital campaign that funded the Werthan building, the agency’s home. Lots of hilarity, lots of fun. Plenty of warmth. Now, this is reason to celebrate.

See all the photos from these parties in the print edition of Nfocus.