THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 22, 1994 TAG: 9409200153
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: On the Town
SOURCE: Sam Martinette
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Feel like out-bidding your friends on a fabulous new piece of art? Or skulking around in an outrageous outfit at the Harrison Opera House? You can do both on the weekend of Oct. 7 and 8.
On Friday, Oct. 7, ``d'Art Takes the Left Bank'' is the theme of the 11th annual art auction, offering some 80 to 100 works of art ranging from oils and acrylics to pottery, sculpture and ``wearable art.'' A preview reception and silent auction begins at 6:30 p.m., with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Among the restaurants represented will be: Adante, The Dumbwaiter, La Galleria, the Town Point Club, Maude's, the No Frill Grill, Omni's Riverwalk and the Norfolk Marriott.
``We're suggesting the dress can be cabaret chic or avant garb,'' explained Susan Bernard, executive director of d'Art. Since the Left Bank of Paris was synonymous with artists, models, writers and other off-beat characters from the Gilded Age up to the World War II occupation, this should cause a run on berets, smocks and other artistic finery, so be forewarned. ``We're trying to capture some of the artistic and personal freedom of that era,'' Bernard added.
``We expect to draw a crowd of about 300, and the money raised will support our programs for the coming year,'' she said.
The live auction will begin at 8, with William Summs of Atlantic Auctions assisted by some celebrity shouters, namely Hizzoner, Mayor Paul Fraim, humorist Hope Mihalap, television's Barbara Ciara, and the comedy team of Tavss & Meers (or is it Meers & Tavss?), among others. The event will take place inside d'Art and under two tents, rain or shine, and ticket donations are $15 per person. Call d'Art, 625-4211 for information.
As for skulking around the Harrison Opera House on the night of Oct. 8 - relax, you don't have to practice the scales to get the chance. It's ``Masquerade Night,'' sponsored by the Phantoms of the Opera, offering dance music by ``Big Fun,'' a best-costume contest, door prizes, light appetizers and beverages, all included.
Cost for the event is $20 per person, $35 per couple for members of the Phantoms, a VOA support group, and $25 (or $40 per couple) for non-members. Dress is costume (or ``classy casual''), and it should be something to see. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, 671-8100.
Don't be surprised if you see some familiar local characters when thumbing through Southern Living Magazine next February. One of our top area restaurants, Magnolia Steak, has been photographed by a team from that august publication for a feature on Southern steak houses.
``I'm thrilled. I've been reading Southern Living since I was a little girl,'' chef-owner Tracey Holmes said last week after the photo shoot. Associate Food Editor Dana Adkins Campbell and photographer Tina Evans came to town for the weekend, settled in at the Page House Inn in Ghent and shot ``thousands of pictures,'' according to Holmes.
The article will feature three Southern steak houses, and the magazine folks were intrigued by the fact that Magnolia has a female chef doing steaks, Holmes said.
Look for Brewbaker's Coffee House to open in October in the former Sunflower Florist location at 806 Spotswood Ave. The 50-seat coffee house will offer soups, salads and sandwiches, along with specialty brews, as well as some coffees with a punch, such as Irish Coffee and cordials.
And if the boss looks familiar it's because Leigh Copeland formerly managed both Cuisine & Co. and the First Colony Coffee House in Ghent. She and her partner, Patrick Sullivan, who has a degree from Johnson & Wales in Providence and a background in high volume restaurants, want to establish a neighborhood place.
``We'll have a small bar to seat people and a couple of window bars, so it will have sort of a `New Yorkish' look,'' Copeland said. Add a solid brick wall behind the bar, high ceilings with the original tin-work exposed and antique English pub tables and it should offer a warm atmosphere.
``We're pretty much hoping for the Ghent foot traffic, and of course the Naro crowd before and after the movies,'' Copeland said. Brewbaker's hopes to open in mid-October. For information, call 625-2739. by CNB