Elegant Snowflake Ball

 

Mark your calendar to attend a dressy, holiday ball featuring live music, sumptuous wine and hors d’ oeuvres at South Haven Center for the Arts first Snowflake Ball, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Foundry Hall, downtown South Haven.

 

“We want people to enjoy an elegant evening where they can dress up, join their friends and glide around the dance floor,” says Marie Maguire, Executive Director of the Art Center. In addition to music and refreshments there will also be opportunities for holiday giving.

 

The Cooper, Hay, Van Lente Group, with guest trombone soloist Ed Bagatini, will play a variety of classy jazz and swing for everyone’s dancing enjoyment. The Cooper, Hay, Van Lente Group, a west Michigan based jazz trio, features Jim Cooper on the marimba and vibraphone, Dave Hay tickling the keyboards and Mike Van Lente on drums. Cooper says he’s been playing jazz on the vibraphone and marimba for over 35 years. The group’s CD “Trio Musik” was released on Big O Records. The trio has captivated audiences at The Grand Rapids Art Museum, Sutton’s Bay Jazz Festival and Lansing Jazz Festival.

 

Ed Bagatini raised in Calumet, Michigan, notes his schooling included the circle of fourths along with the three R’s. Bagatini was a trombonist with 5^th Army Headquarters Band, and he has taught instrumental music for many years in various schools in southwest Michigan. Bagatini is also well versed in arranging and has arranged music for the Navy School of Music, Western Michigan University, The Jazz Assemblage and The Nostalgics. He enjoys playing swing trombone at jazz concerts in the park, art centers and other venues. Bagatini and family own Bagatini’s Music Store in St. Joseph, Mich.

 

Maguire notes that Jakki and Roy Fox, and Julee Sallay will be decorating Foundry Hall with shimmering snowflakes and turning it into an elegant backdrop for a graceful evening of dance and delight. The event is made possible through the support of the Yacht Club, Captain Nemo’s, D&L Sales, Sound Comfort Insulation, Suzie Blair and the Getman Corporation.

 

Advance tickets for the Snowflake Ball are $40 per person and $50 at the door. To make reservations, call the Art Center at 269-637-1041. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Office Hours: Monday, noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 1-4 p.m.