Singing Green and Guinness

Santa Barbara Choral Society had an annual gala with a difference with Shamrock at the Rockwood over St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

The sold-out bash welcomed more than 130 guests to the women’s club which had been transformed into a giant Irish-themed bar, and where they were welcomed by emcees Larry Schecter and Kathleen Stinnett before Irish dancing by Alanna Callaghan and the Firedance Academy Dancers.

The buffet, featuring shepherd’s pie, beef sliders with Guinness gravy, and chicken whisky skewers, was accompanied by music from The Decent Folk – Gary Jensen, Elisabeth Gonella, Karl Burrelsman, Gwendolyn Kilfoyle, and Robert Winokur – and the Kule Klub ukulele band. Will Breman and his band closed the fun event after a live auction that featured an Ireland adventure for two, a Moroccan dinner party for 12 hosted by choir alto Kate Rees, and the chance to conduct the choir at its Hallelujah! concert at the Lobero in December.

Among the gaggle of green clad, Guinness imbibing supporters, who raised more than $30,000, were Debra Stewart, Susan Keller, Elizabeth Olson, JoAnne Wasserman, Marylove Thralls, Barbara Burger, Dana Stewart, David Reichert, Kristi Newton, Gregory Pantages, and Barbara Rosen.