On August 17, the Ice Palace fêted Ariel Sinclair, who has been entertaining there for 20 years, with performances by her friends and colleagues; with her family present; and with refreshments from Cherry Grove Pizzeria. DJ Chuck McTague was responsible for music, sound, and lights, and Logan Hardcore hosted the tribute.
Sal Piro, retired Entertainment Coordinator for the Ice Palace and General Manager of the Grove Hotel, returned to talk about Ariel’s start here, working at the hotel and performing at the Ice Palace. Logan introduced a video, made by Kenny Holcomb and Todd Joseph, of Chris Laffin’s growing up and alter ego Ariel Sinclair’s development. Then Logan celebrated Ariel with a gospel number, pairing “Joyful, Joyful,” after the Ode to Joy from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and “Oh, Happy Day.”
In Ariel’s honor, Porsche sang “I Stole Your Purse,” the Wendy Ho song, and “To Sir with Love,” Lulu’s song from the Sidney Poitier film of the same name. Brandon Cutrell spoke of his and Ariel’s friendship with Christian music singer and Grammy Award-winner Sandi Patty and, with Brandon James Gwinn at the Privia, smoothly sang Patty’s song about “Love in Any Language.” With Mark Nayden’s assistance, Brandon James Gwinn accompanied himself in amusingly singing “By the Sea,” from “Sweeney Todd.”
Brenda Dharling, who recently won the Miss Congeniality and Most Popular awards in the Miss Grove Hotel contest, repeated her dance number, to “Anything Goes,” from that evening. Logan offered “(I’m part of one terrific) Sister Act,” title song from the musical “Sister Act,” in homage to Ariel. And Ariel’s song, concluding the show, was a sincere “I Wanna Thank You,” addressed to all of us who so treasure her.