Monday, April 27, 1998 | 9:43 a.m.
Biting into a dulcet Ethel M morsel, Nancy Lamb remarked: "This is so delicious. How could anybody not like chocolate?"
And then, as an afterthought, Lamb remarked, "Anybody who doesn't like chocolate -- I don't trust them."
Such was the mood on a somewhat breezy, but otherwise splendid evening at The Ranch Sunday evening, the south Valley site of the Nevada Symphony Orchestra's first "Rhapsody in Chocolate" fund-raiser.
There was a nectareous nature to the evening.
The sweet smell of various chocolates filled the ranch house, and seemed to beckon the nearly 500 patrons to try just one more morsel. The various sweet delicacies ranging from light chocolate wafers to dark clusters were arranged in careful patterns around chocolate sculptures. Particularly noteworthy was a pirate ship mouse complete with a light chocolate peg leg -- compliments of Debra Mitchell, executive pastry chef at Treasure Island.
While some guests hovered around the tables of chocolate like honey bees congregating around the hive, others walked along the plush grounds and took in the view of the multicolored Strip lights to the north, while listening to the melodic sounds of The Gene White Orchestra.
From the smiles and laughter of the elegantly dressed men and women, as they sauntered to the food tent and waited in line for a $150 plate of Cajun lamb or beef tenderloin, one would never know there has been turmoil in the orchestra in recent months, and that there have been clashes between musicians and board members.
It's amazing what an array of chocolate delicacies on a linen table cloth can do to sweeten the mood of arts patrons.
"Everyone seems to be having a wonderful time, don't you think?" symphony president Janice Tanno asked a reporter.
Tanno, who liked other board members worked furiously since very early Sunday morning to arrange the fund-raiser, said the allure of sweets would only go so far in promoting the symphony.
"I think it's the event itself that's important, and this is our Number One fund-raiser," Tanno said. "This evening we raise money for the symphony. We keep people informed, and people share their interest in helping to shape the cultural community."
Tanno was thrilled at the number of people who attended.
"It certainly shows that people love the language of music," she said.
And they also love the flavor of roasted cacao beans, especially with strawberries.
"I just love tuxedo strawberries," 14-year-old Megan O'Bannon remarked after sampling the elegantly decorated confections. "Just the tuxedo strawberries -- and nothing else."
Another guest said his favorite is Hershey's dark chocolates.
"They are my absolutely favorite," said Sen. Richard Bryan (D-Nevada), who added that staffers keep some in a roll top desk on the Senate floor just for the Nevada Democrat.
Channel 3 meteorologist Nate Tannenbaum, who served as prize auctioneer and raffle host, said the theme of the fundraiser certainly was palatable.
"Let's face it, everybody loves chocolate. You gotta be nuts not to like cholocate," Tannenbaum said with a saccharine grin.
Murry Sidlin, the symphony's new music director, said the most important thing about the fund-raiser is that behind all the food and chocolate is a vibrant orchestra "that really is a fine group of people to work with."
As the Gene White Orchestra -- which included some symphony members -- played a moving rendition of Duke Ellington's, "In My Solitude," Sidlin said he would do his best to make sure that orchestra thrives in the coming years.
Two board members who also did their best Sunday to make sure the orchestra thrives were B. Michl Lloyd and Joanna Bonin. Both worked long hours in the kitchen cooking for nearly 500.
"I did this in Europe and I promised myself I would never do it again. But it's certainly for a good cause," said Bonin, who once was a caterer.
"It's true we're all struggling to remain a vibrant part of the cultural force of the community," Sidlin said. "There are more people moving here, and many of them are in positions of responsibility. When people move to a new area, they often ask about two things: schools and culture."
Tanno explained that a recent alliance between the symphony and the Clark County School District to create an enhanced music program will certainly help cement the symphony's future in the community.
"Our goal is to help shape the cultural community of Las Vegas in partnership with other performance arts organizations," Tanno said. "We're here to say."
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