Artful Bras & Boxers, All For Ann’s Place

By Shannon Hicks

Jazz music permeated the hallways of Edmond Town Hall last Saturday night, during the first of a two-part event called “Artful Bras & Boxers.” Saturday evening’s event was a cabaret during which 21 elaborately decorated bras and boxer shorts were displayed and either sold through live or silent auction, while ticket-holders enjoyed plenty of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, live music, and socializing — and plenty of laughs — all while raising funds for Ann’s Place, Home of I Can.

The seven-piece jazz band Boplicity was responsible for the jazz music, which provided the backdrop for the second annual event organized by Newtown United LLC. Led by Rosemary Rau, Marianne Scanlon, and Marie Sturdevant, Newtown United’s signature “Artful Bras & Boxers” event raised funds for the Danbury organization that provides comfort and support for cancer patients and the loved ones.

Attendees began filling The Alexandria Room right at 7, finding seats among the ten large tables that had been set up around the room. A number of large panels had been hung on the walls and the doors leading to the room’s kitchen, each containing advertising of “Bras & Boxers Back in Time.” Centerpieces this year were oversize martini glasses, each holding a plastic illuminated ice cube and oversize olive, and the tables were set with a black and white theme between the napkins and dinnerware.

Music was performed all evening by Boplicity, of which Marian Scanlon said at one point, “They play everything and they put their heart and soul into it.” The band, led by flutist and jazz saxophonist Robert Rabinowitz, filled the room with music for much of the evening, taking breaks only when the organizers spoke, when the first set of bras and boxers were introduced, and during the two-part live auction.

Guest vocalist Valerie Caraluzzi joined the band for three songs: a slow take on “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” followed by very upbeat renditions of “When You Wish Upon A Star” and “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

As guests dined on bite-size appetizers provided by The Bountiful Board Catering — everything from stuffed mushroom caps, pulled pork sliders, and cheese puffs to mini quesadillas, gourmet potato skins, and Swedish meatballs — the entertainment continued, with the big offering of the night: the modeling of 17 of the artfully decorated bras and boxer shorts that had been decorated by local artists.

After Newtown United President Rosemary Rau offered thanks to everyone for attending — “Enjoy the food, the wine, the music, and the moment,” she encouraged — Dr Richard Coopersmith took his place at the podium and began the first part of the two-part boxers and bras presentation.

“I have done a few auctions, but I have to say,” he began, “this is the first time I’ve done something quite this, um, unusual. The content is, by far, unique.

“But I’m glad to be here. It’s a great cause, and I am glad to be able to help,” he continued.

Sixteen models had been lined up, and they took their turns entering the Alexandria Room either carrying or carefully wearing a piece of art. Following a style set forth during last year’s Artful Bras event, all of the models wore black from head to toe, and then added either a boxer or bra to their ensemble. Paula Elfont arrived first, sashaying across the front of the room wearing Jan Maria Jagush’s “Wild Thing,” a pair of boxers with a series of large leaves and carefully placed stuffed animals attached.

Frankie Fazzari and Lisa Scanlon were next, with Mr Fazzari showing off “Bralesque,” which had been designed by Newtown High School student Allie Duris, and Ms Scanlon showing “Jack in the Boxers (Life is Full of Surprises),” boxers with a strategically placed Jack-in-the-box, designed by Rosemary Rau and Dolores Judge.

The models also included Debbie Aurelia, Beth Caldwell, Jason Culbreth, Rob Gisolfi, Mike Kehoe, Herman Kirk, Bob Llodra, Emily Meyer, Doug Pincus, Kim Robson, John Rossi, Kate Studley, and Lori Zezza.

Ms Elfont, the first model of the evening, returned to close the opening segment by carrying Robert Rabinowitz’s creation, “Boxer and Bras.” Behind her the other models also returned for one last go-round of the room before everyone lined up in front of the stage before an intermission.

Dr Coopersmith then returned to the podium, this time to lead a live auction of four pairs of boxers, as well as five special “luxury items.”

The first item up for bidding was “Boxer and Bras,” a pair of boxer shorts that had been overlaid with images of bras and pink ribbons, along with descriptions of the modern bras and the significance of pink bras and ribbons in the fight against breast cancer. As bidding increased toward the $200 mark Mr Rabinowitz — the aforementioned Boplicity musician — encouraged additional bidding by promising a band T-shirt to anyone who took the bids to the $250 mark. The bid was received and the boxers (and promised T-shirt) sold.

“A Cute Pair,” a pair of black boxers onto which a pair of dog’s faces had been painted by Allison V. Cummings, was next. Ms Cummings explained in the evening’s program book that she did her painting “for the dog lovers of Newtown in memory of my dear uncle and godfather, George Baluzy.” Having opened at $50, the pair was quickly bid up and sold for $300.

Wendee Nussle’s “Boxing Boxers,” a pair of red shorts with a few dozen boxers (the dog breed) wearing boxing gloves hand painted onto them, was inspired by the artist watching a friend and colleague during what she called “the fight of his life.” The framed item sold for $250.

“Wild Thing” was then auctioned for $100, leading into the luxury items. A gift certificate from Avancé Esthétiques good for a full day of services at the European day spa was a bargain for one bidder at $175. A gift certificate to Sal e Pepe Restaurant and a pair of tickets for The Town Players of Newtown, combined into a lot called “Night on the Town,” went for $225.

A pair of gift certificates from the recently opened Stone River Grille in Sandy Hook were also popular. The first, offering dinner for eight, was finally hammered — after competitive bidding between two people at the same table — for $700, while the second, offering a catering package, sold for $300. The live auction’s final lot was “Double Shot,” which offered a bottle of Chivas Regal, a bottle of Johnny Walker Black, a crystal decanter and a handsome Damask lacquer tray. Carefully carried around the room by Jason Culbreth, the collection sold for $350.

The remaining bras and boxers were left on display for silent auction, and all of the artistic items were kept at the town hall for 24 hours. Newtown United had arranged for a Sunday afternoon event, an arts and crafts vendors marketplace, also taking place in The Alexandria Room. Visitors to that event were treated to a final presentation of the 2011 Artful Bras & Boxers collection, shopping opportunities and live entertainment in the form of dance performances by students of Lathrop School of Dance.

Visit NewtownBee.com and look for this story under the Features tab. A slideshow posted with the online story offers dozens of additional photos from Saturday night’s cabaret and Sunday’s marketplace.