by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Thursday night promises to be a big one for City Council members Kevin Hyde and Michael Corrigan as the pair will be installed as Council president and vice president, respectively. Event organizers promise a brief but appropriate ceremony highlighted by musical entertainment, awards and remarks by some of the city’s most respected names.
The ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. and they usually tend to last a little over an hour. Like most City-related functions, the ceremony is quite formal and quite patriotic. Hyde, an attorney with Foley & Lardner, takes over for Elaine Brown, who will give a few brief remarks about her year as Council president. The rest of the evening consists of a pretty big party with plenty to eat and drink. Four-thousand invitations were sent out and each of the 19 Council members got 100 to send personally, so attendance should be good.
If you’re planning to attend, here’s what you’ll need to know:
WHERE?
This year’s installation ceremony will take place at the T-U Center in Jacoby Symphony Hall. The reception will be held in the large area leading out onto the river.
EVENT EMCEE
Consultant and former Chief of Staff under Mayor John Delaney Audrey McKibbin Moran will emcee the event. A prominent attorney in the area, McKibbin is Hyde’s “old friend.” They’ve never worked in same legal firm, but have worked on the same case. “But only on opposite sides,” Hyde said.
ENTERTAINMENT
As in previous years, music will play a major role both during and after the ceremony. For the installation, City Council aide Brenda Kelly has arranged a musical medley that includes such songs as “Imagine” by John Lennon and “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. Nationally renowned vocalist Bill Cerveny — a favorite of Hyde’s wife Kathi — also has been tapped to play. Jazz singer Dot Wilder, a regular at several area bars and restaurants, will be the entertainment during the reception.
OTHER BUSINESS
Aside from Corrigan and Hyde’s swearing in, two awards will be given. They include The Robert O. Johnson Award, which is given to an exemplary City or independent agency employee, and the Charles D. Webb Award, which is given by outgoing-president Elaine Brown to the Council member of her choice. Past recipients of the latter include Gwen Yates and Warren Alvarez.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
There will be some VIP seating, but the ceremony and after party are open to the public. However, space is limited so if you want a good spot it’s best to arrive early.
WHO’S HELPING?
You can credit the Council’s support staff with lending a much needed helping hand Thursday evening. Taking care of everything from greeting guests to ordering flowers, volunteers include Council aides Daisy Brown, Daphne Colbert, Jenny Huxford and Shirley Dasher as well as Katrina Fisher of the Council staff and Dana Farris and Lori Sanders of Legislative Services.
WHO’S CATERING?
Levy Restaurants. They’re the same people who cook up the food in Alltel Stadium’s luxury terrace suites and also at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.