| Bob Hope Classic Ball Glitters |
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 Sunday, January 17, 2010Emerald Ballroom Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa Indian Wells, California Story and photos by Pat Krause For more Pat Krause photos of the Bob Hope Classic Ball, click here. The Annual Bob Hope Classic Ball was held at the Renaissance Esmeralda Emerald Ballroom on Sunday Jan. 17. The theme this year had an Oriental tone. Guests walked the Red Carpet with the aid of our country’s finest, United States Marines from 29 Palms. Marines in dress uniforms escorted the ladies in their beautiful gowns and men in their black tie.  An Asian woman on stilts dressed in a scarlet kimono fluttered her fans at each guest. She was a highlight as guests took photos of her and then near her for pictures from cameras and cell phones. Complimentary drinks at several bar areas accommodated everyone. Entertainment was provided during the cocktail hour by one group of singers, and then also by a small band and singer. Each group was met with enjoyment from the crowd as they crowded around to get a better look. Another treat for the guests was an Asian gentleman who made candy treats into lions, warthogs, apes, flowers and butterflies. The guests watched as they were made. They could request a certain candy figure on a stick. He was fascinating to watch, and it was something few people had ever seen. Fireworks lit up the skies to let the guests know that they could enter the Ballroom for the gala dinner. As the guests moved to the Ballroom, a Chinese band of drums and cymbals started playing as a very long dragon came through the cocktail area. A dozen men holding the dragon with sticks moved in a snaky line and then in a circle as the entertainment ended.Once inside, the guests were seated and dinner was served. Chinese lanterns amid flowers made for beautiful table decorations. Hundreds were served in a short time and photographs of all the guests at each table was taken. Music was provided by the Les Brown Orchestra.  Baseball legend Yogi Berra was given a plaque by Tournament Chairman John Foster. Foster said he hoped Berra would someday put it in his museum. Berra choked up when he received the plaque, saying he was so honored to be there. He said he was privileged to know Bob and Dolores Hope. He considered them to be great people. Foster also mentioned that the Bob Hope Classic has donated more than $49 million through the years to local charities.Tom Dreesen was the event’s emcee for the 17th time. He told some very funny jokes, as guests waited for the night’s entertainment, Queen Latifah. Dreesen has helped at this tournament for so many years, it would be hard think of it without him. Dreesen mentioned some of the celebrities who attended. The included Bob Hope’s son Kelly, Toby Dawson, Jeffrey Donovan, Bruce McGill, John O’Hurley, Andre Reed, Alfonso Ribiero, Patrick Warburton, Berra and Golf Pro Doug Sanders plus many others. Several local political figures and, of course, the Bob Hope Classic Girls were there.  Queen Latifah came on stage with her band in the background. She said she likes to have fun when she performs at an event such as this. She sang a couple songs and then asked the audience if they wanted to get funky. She proceeded to get the guests into a dancing mood. She said she liked to see people get up and dance in the aisles and by their tables to have a good time. Suddenly the dance floor was full and the main aisles had dancers and others just swayed to the music. She really got the crowd moving. She asked if she could do another song for them. Of course the crowd went wild with applause. Her rendition of California Dreaming was superb. Toward the end of her performance, the people not dancing crowded around the stage to take photos and get to see her close up. She is a really true performer, as she made it look like she was having as much fun as her audience. For more Pat Krause photos of the Bob Hope Classic Ball, click here. For more about the Bob Hope Classic, click here. For more about Queen Latifah, click here. For more about the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, click here. |
