A Hudson Opera House Lovefest Among the Ravishing Ruins

The 17th Annual Gala to support the Hudson Opera House was held on Saturday, September 25 at the Cannonball Factory in Hudson, which proved to be a great place to have a party. Nearly two hundred guests mingled outdoors for cocktails in a space that had once had a roof, now just rafters. Dinner was held indoors in a 2nd-floor room that, like the rest of the facility, wears its age and provenance well. HOH Director Gary Schiro (left with the artist Richard Artschwager) beamed as he related how well the evenings' entertainer, the singer Falu, has done since first appearing at the Opera House. Among her recent triumphs: a performance before Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey at Lincoln Center. Funds raised by the gala support the ongoing programs (more than 1100 in the past year) and restoration of the Hudson Opera House.

Among the 200 guests this year are actors/writers/directors Jeremy Davidson and Mary Stuart Masterson. “The Hudson Opera House is a vibrant hub for diverse artists and lay persons to mix it up,” said Ms. Masterson. “I can't wait to see what they do next!"

Bob Burns, Georgia Dent, and Jane Glucksman; the singer Falu and band member Soumya Chatterjee

Ian Nitschke and Peggy Lampman; Ina Saltz and Steve Beispel

Jean Hamilton and Rick McCarthy; Jean Rawitt and Ron Rawitt

HOH Deputy Director Joe Herwick and HOH volunteer Delma Phillips-Siegel; Judy Grunberg and Philippe Soule

The architect Kate Johns and Jason Shaw; Melissa Stafford and Kent Grimes

Neil Kane,Molly Kane, and Ellen Kane; Richard Gaba, Barbara Gaba, Walter Flamenbaum, and Judith Flamenbaum, wearing another important necklace from Ornamentum in Hudson