Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-05-21
RECEPTION TO THE sRIc-A-ssAc CLUB.

was organized in this city. The object was
to cultivate art tastes, aid in bringing the
works of local artists to public notice, and to
advance literary and music culture. The
association is composed of both ladies and
gentlemen, and the social feature has been
one of its marked peculiarities for, in
addition to its private meetings, the
club has held many public recep-
lions, and for this purpose the houses
of several of Sacramento's citizens have been,
from time to time, placed at its disposal,
where musical and literary programmes have
been given, and the art works of members of
the club placed on exhibition. From the
outset the club has had fair share of sue
cess; but like all organizations of this nature
it has required earnest labor to promote its
growth, and bring into harmony the entire
membership. 1t has had its difficulties to
surmount, and has encountered its full need
of obstacles. Heretofore all the entertain
ments of the club have presented it in the
character of host, and upon the membership
has deyolyed the burden of presenting
the guests with musical and literary food on
such occasions. Last evening. for the first
time, the club was the recipient of recep-
ton where its members were guests, and
other citizens assumed the character of hosts.
the reception was given by Mr.. and Mrs.
VIM. I'll. Mills at their residence, Fifteenth
and l streets. and they were aided by mum.
Der of friends, who joined with them in max
ing this a recognition of the club and So
cial and sincere mark of encouragement to
the organization for the praiseworthy objects
it has in view. There were no formal invita-
tions, but q sufficient number of friends were
called in by verbal request, to aid
IN the reception, place the club
at its ease. and to distinctively
mark the occasion as a new departure, with
the hope that the effort would give sdded i'm
pulse to the society in the work it has in
hand, and which is in line with all efforts to
refine, elevate and purify the tastes of the
community. In the working out of this plan
it was resolved to call upon the Bic Brac
members for nothing by way of entertain
meut, but to tender them Al informal musical,
literary and social reception worthy OF their
acceptance aud which should appeal to their
critical judgment, and remove them entirely
from that atmosphere of personal aud club
interest and pride which must surround them
more or less when the burden of entertaining
rests solely upon them. The residence of the
hosts was arranged to afford all possible
room. Ths verandah was inclo ed and lighted
to serve as a smoking-room and promenade
for the gentlemen, and tine spacious hall and
entire first floor thrown open fer the pur-
poses of The reception. The parlors were taste
fully decorated with flowers, but no effort was
made to create special effect in the way of
decoration The aids to the hosts, some sixty
in number assembled at s o'clock, and at the
same hour the club met at the residence II q.
II. Hubbard. From there, led by its Presi-
dent, Norton Bush, it marched to Mr.. Mills
residence, and was there received with cor
diality and without any embarrassing
Formally. With the club in one par
lor and the company OF hosts in
the other. the presentation was briefly
and simply made, and the general in
PRODUCTION between the two groups had, per-
soual introductions being specially waived on
both sides, save in the case of the ladies
present, who are strangers in this community.
When the brief Interchange of greetings was
over, the Bric-s-B ,ac members delivered TO
some of the hosts large number OF bouquets
they had brought in honor of the floral
month, aud these were shortly arranged in a
light framework, formed TO make two large
capitals, ''B. b" the effsct being uniqus,
and proving fitting decoration for the occa-
sion. Mr.. Mills then opened the musical ex-
ercises Of the evening by introducing
Miss Amelia Boil, who played
piano solo, Fantasia, by CORA, with
excellent taste, aad with the sensibiiity
and refinement which characterizss her
instrumental performances. She acted
throughout the evening also as accom-
panis.. The programme then procsed-
cd without Stiffness but with that
social ease which so much adds to enter
tainments outside the concert hall. A marked
feature was, that the applause, while uucon-
fiaed, was limited, when an encore was de-
handed to the Bric-a-Brac Club, and tie
singers only responded when the President OF
the club, on request Of his members, deemed
the demand proper and solicited the per-
former 70 again sing. This novel feature was
the singers at greater case than when called
out By continued manifestations OF approval.
Il more thoroughly established the rela-
ton of hosts and guests, aad placed the club
in its collective capacity in a strictly critical
attitude The exercises, which at proper times
broke in upon the social interchange Of
thought and congratulation, were announced
by the chief host, with an introduction Of esch
performer to the company. During the
evening Miss Anna L Kelly of San Fran
circo, sang "1he Nightingaie's Trill," by
CAM, and in response to the hearty recall
and special request Of the Glib sang, "'ris
but Little Faded Flower" choosing that
selection ont Of compliment TO George L.
Parsons as one of his fayorite songs. Subse-
euently she sang 1.-THE Woods" by Franz,
and still later Under the Dasies." Miss
Kelly was heard on this occasion for the frst
time il this city, and must have been graft
fed by the manifest pleasure which her sing
ing gave. She has very fine, strong,
flexible soprano voice, Of sympathetic
character and dramatic power. The
purity of her exquisite tones, and the charm
and ease Of her style, made her listeners real
IL that they were auditors to thoroughly
artistic performance Mrs. J. NJ. Pierce of
San Francisco-not altogether stranger,
Tor her powerful soprano has been heard
here not infrequently Farewell TO
the River Tsgue," from IL Af,ieane." In
response to the request Of the club, made
warmly manifest, she sang a favorite song
of Mrs. Hermon Perry, 'Terrencss Fare
well, . and again as the favorite of the club,
and, by special request, the quaint ballad,
% rwickenham Ferry" Mrs Pierce, whose
voice, it is to be regretted. will net be heard
here for long time, is brilliant
soprano Of great force and thorough
culture Her voice is of fine quality, aud
Is marked by great depth of feeling. 1t has
rich resonance and fullness, equalled only by
her accurate comprehension Of the themes
she undertakes and her intelligent rendering
of them. A third stranger who sang was Miss
Emma Otis of Lowell, Massachusetts,, who,
with Mrs. A. l.. Frost, q weil-known men,
Der of local musical circles, sang in the duet,
. Moonlight on the Rhine" both ladies
giviog it with good effect. For solo Miss
O.is sang LET Me Dream Again" by
Sullivan. Miss OTIS is soprano who
has a cultivated and pure voice, of
good register, and which is flexible
sympathetic, and used with good taste
and refinement. Miss Laura Dray
played for piano solo the Tannhauser
march, and for an encore CAV. Henselt's
Spring Song" She played easily, with de-
csian, and in a manner very creditable to her
ability, and promising future acc 2mplish-
mente OF much excelleace. Miss May
Milliken sang, 80 Loving Heart, Trust
o." and in response to the Bric.a-
Br4c Clubs recall, gave out of compli-
ment to Mr.. Mills, his fasorite Flight of
the Birds" Miss Millikin is well-known
young lady soprano-siuger, a pleasing vocal
ist, with voice agreeable, of good quality.
sweet in tone, and managed gracefully, and
without pretentions beyond her powers. Mr..
Crandali, the well known tenor, sang 'Sweet
Mignonette," giving it in tasteful and feel
ing manner, and without much visible effort.
A double quartet Of mixed voices, consisting
I