It was an odd evening to be sure, but guests expected as much at the first ever OddBall, a fundraiser for Center for Faith and the Arts held Saturday, Nov. 2.
The event was the F&M Trolley Barn, decked out for the occasion with a wonderfully quirky collection of decorations, from giant cherries to huge eyeballs.
Guests got in on the “odd” theme by coming in costume, from Peter Pan and Captain Hook to Breaking Bad’s high school chemistry teacher turned meth king Walter White, accompanied by wife Skyler and baby Holly.
Josh Wainwright and Alison Bird, dressed as Faith (a nun) and Art (painting of “The Scream”), were crowned King and Queen of the OddBall by emcee Preston Mitchell.
“We were thrilled by how many people chose to come in costume,” said Susanna Hollingsworth, program director for Center for Faith & the Arts. “Right after Halloween is the perfect time for adults to have their own evening of fun and support a great cause.
“People are already talking about next year’s costume ideas.”
Hollingsworth said the best part of the evening was getting the chance to talk to people about the Center for Faith & the Arts and St. Thomas Players.
“We love all the arts organizations in Salisbury and feel like they are so interwoven,” she said. “CFA has been around more than 20 years and it’s great to see people all come together to help us.
“We have wonderful friends and supporters. We just feel so blessed and thankful.”
Party-goers danced to the sounds of Motel Soap and ate food catered by Coopers – much of it ball-shaped, in keeping with the theme.
The evening’s signature drink, created by Alice Rich and Capri Brixey, was the StoneBall Jackson, served up by Brian and Jenni Pfaff, who ran the bar.
Guests bid on silent auction items, including work by local artists.
Alice Rich ran the live auction, with Larry Brown serving as auctioneer. Auction items included a retreat for 14 on High Rock Lake, a weekend in a Banner Elk bed and breakfast, a beach house on Oak Island, a Center for Faith & the Arts birthday party for kids and more.
Hollingsworth notes that there are still spots available for two CFA sign-up parties coming up, one for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner at Emma’s on March 17, and a Mardi Gras party on March 1 at Karen Puckett’s house for up to 40 people, with proceeds going to CFA. Call Center for Faith & the Arts at 704-647-0999 for details.