Spoleto auction Friday
A private concert from the maestro.
A getaway to Napa Valley.
Spa service in Palm Beach.
Those items and others will be available at La Dolce Vita, Spoleto Festival USA's aptly titled 29th annual auction, Friday at Memminger Auditorium.
All proceeds benefit the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, the event's orchestra in residence.
Silent and live auctions will feature cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, champagne and desserts. Tickets are available at 720-1114 or online at www.spoletousa.org. Early bidding is offered on the Web site until Wednesday.
The maestro mentioned is Charles Wadsworth. In his final season as Spoleto's artistic director for chamber music, Wadsworth has donated a private concert for 50, featuring musicians from the Bank of America Chamber Music series.
Other premium items include:
-- A luxurious Napa Valley weekend, the high points being a stay at Meadowood Napa Valley and dinner at Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc.
-- A holiday at Palm Beach's exclusive resort, The Breakers, including spa services, dinner and a round of golf on the Ocean Course.
-- A romantic retreat to Vermont's elegant Middlebury Inn.
-- A three-night stay for four at Hampton Island Preserve, complete with golf, spa visits and a tour of Harvest Farm.
-- An excursion to Dewees Island with accommodations at Huyler House, a kayak trip, a naturalist-led tour and dinner at Morgan Creek.
Bidders also can choose from an array of culinary packages, including a day with chef Sean Brock at McCrady's farm on Wadmalaw Island, and dinner for six at his chef's table; dinner for 12 from FIG chef Mike Lata at the Redux Contemporary Art Center; and a gourmet dinner for 12 courtesy of caterer Callie White.
Other highlights: Private-suite seats at a Carolina Panthers game; a cocktail cruise on the Innisfail yacht; commissioned auction artwork "Shaken not Stirred" by artist Leo Mancini-Hresko and donated by Ann Long Fine Art; exquisite jewelry from Croghan's Jewel Box; and work from local furnituremaker Michael Moran's collection.
Many other businesses have donated items as well. They include Bob Ellis Shoes, Caviar & Bananas, Cinebarre, Copper Penny, Cynthia Rowley, M. Dumas & Sons, Ellington, the Francis Marion Hotel, Gucci, Jane Pope Jewelry, Half-Moon Outfitters, Hampden Clothing, Lesesne, Magar Hatworks, MargoKaufmanGallery.com, Pierre Deux, The RSVP Shoppe, Sugar Bakeshop and Virginia's on King.
The silent auction begins at 6:30 p.m. with the live auction at 8:30 p.m. led by auctioneer Douglas Warner and WCIV-TV 4 meteorologist Tom Crawford.
La Dolce Vita tickets cost $100 and must be bought in advance. "Festive" cocktail attire is preferred.
The Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra features a group of young musicians who audition each season for the event.
The festival runs May 22-June 7.
