MADISON – Pat Cross and Karen Morris are serving as chair and co-chair of the Crescen-Dough Auction, one of three primary fundraisers for Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild.

Cross and Morris’ collaboration marks the first time that the event has had both a chair and co-chair from Madison.

Crescen-Dough will be held April 12 in the Von Braun Center North Hall at 6 p.m.

With event proceeds, the guild supports many music education programs of Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Cross said. The programs include Young People’s Concert for 5,000-plus fourth-graders from more than 60 elementary schools, along with the free family concert.

Other activities are Young Artists Auditions, Discovery Music Tent at Panoply, Third-Grade Violin Program, Tennessee Valley Music Festival and music scholarships.

“The chair ‘touches’ every aspect of Crescen-Dough,” Cross said. First, Cross identified a co-chair. “I was very fortunate that a dear friend, Karen Morris, agreed. Karen and I have volunteered with many organizations and work well together.”

“It was my pleasure to say ‘yes’ with this event, benefiting children’s music education and other (components) of the symphony,” Morris said.

Cross and Morris filled 30-plus committees for the auction, recruiting 75 symphony guild members.

The consensus for the 2019 theme was “Crescen-Dough Flamingle Auction, 46 Years of Tempting Treasures.” “At Crescen-Dough Flamingle, you’ll enjoy the South Beach vibe with mouth-watering foods, tropical libations and abundant treasures to exclaim over throughout the evening,” Cross said.

“Palm trees, tropical scenes and beach elegance will turn the VBC North Hall into a breathtaking tropical paradise just for you to experience,” Cross said.

Guests can bid on designer jewelry, including a violin brooch/pendant with diamonds and emeralds, baroque pearl necklace and David Yurman starburst necklace. Guests can win mixology lessons, “Tapas With a View,” cooking lessons for 12 at The Ledges with Chef Philip Collier and a South Beach dinner for 12.

Destinations for auction trips are Don CeSar, the famous Pink Palace, Bali, Emerald Isles’ golfing and Spain.

Three food stations will offer entrees for shrimp with salsa, pork with pineapple and chicken with cilantro. Side dishes will include fried plantains with guacamole, Jicama Salad, pineapple cole slaw, breadfruit seared in coconut oil and Cuban bread. Dessert choices are key lime tart and pineapple upside-down cake. 

Mason Overcash of Madison, who teaches art at James Clemens High School, Chip Cooker and Nall Hollis were selected as featured artists for the Painted Violin exposition/auction.  

Over 3,000 invitations have been mailed. Tickets are $85. To purchase tickets online, visit crescendooughauction.org. For information, visit crescendoughauction.org.