When your birthday is so close to Christmas, what exactly do you do? Will your friends and loved ones count all of your gifts as in the same. Do you celebrate at all? For Terri Allen, who serves as the Executive Director of the arts advocacy organization, Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts it never was a big deal. “I never really celebrated my birthday because it is so close to Christmas and didn’t want to inconvenience anybody.” she explained.
Turning 60 is a big deal and a gala honoring this milestone made up for all the birthday celebrations she did not have. Allen’s daughter, the soprano Pamela Simonson, along with her brother, pianist Victor Simonson spearheaded a lavish evening gala celebration for their mother held on Friday, December 23, 2011 at the National Golf Club. The event was a mirror image reflection of the elegance that radiates from their mother. Guests arrived in their holiday festive formal attire, with bursts of red, gold and crème glistening throughout the room.
Themed Terri Allen: 60 years of Life, Love and Laughter, the gala program celebrated the arts advocate through music, scripture and song. Mistress of Ceremonies for the occasion was her cousin, Benita Dallas. The program not only celebrated Allen for her birthday, but for the joy that she brings to others as a friend, sister, daughter, wife, community leader and mother. Entering the room to a musical fanfare, Allen was elegant in a black floor length gown, glamorously radiant in sparkling jewels. Later in the evening, she changed into a sassy, shimmering dress, with long flowing hair, channeling full diva. She was joined by her supportive husband, Dale Allen.
Her favorite music was featured throughout with excerpts from Handel's oratorio Messiah performed by soprano Pamela Simonson, mezzo-soprano Sylvia Twine and baritone Greg Watkins, accompanied by Victor Simonson. Pamela Simonson, along with Fiona Nelson rendered some of Terri’s favorite popular standards, including a stirring solo “The First Time I Saw Your Face” sung by Nelson and the rousing “Reach Out and Touch” performed by Pamela Simsonson. Nelson and Simonson had everyone "misty eyed" on Dionne Warwick's classic, "That's What Friends Are For."
Among the special tributes was a very special poem presented by her son, Victor Simonson. One line of the poem spoke to the fact that if Allen’s birthday had been celebrated all the previous years, the huge gala we experienced may not have been possible. Her gala event was definitely worth the wait for the party of a lifetime.
CHECK OUT THE PICTURES OF THE GALA HERE
Tenor Terrence Tarver sang a special rendition of “O Holy Night” Your D. C. Performing Arts Examiner was a member of the quartet and offered words of congratulations to Ms. Allen on her contributions to the performing arts as she continues to “bring color to the classics” through the efforts of the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts. The entire company, including fellow singers in the room, Marco K. Merrick, Neal Arp, II and Samantha McElhaney ended the musical tribute section of the program with Handel’s famous “Hallelujah Chorus.”
As the audience prepared to sing “Happy Birthday,” all assembled were captivated by the exquisite birthday cake, encrusted in Swarovski crystals. The top of the cake was crowned with an ornate “60” adorned in the sparkling jewels, created by her niece Ra Sylver.
Moving the evening to a close was a fun, line dance presentation by the Harmony Hallers Line Dance Club. It was truly a well-deserved celebration, fit for a queen.
Continue the celebration. In honor of Terri Allen’s 60th Birthday, please consider making a donation to the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts in the amount of $60 by clicking here or mailing your check or money order to:
CAAPA
P.O. Box 441608
Fort Washington, MD 20744
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