They did it again. The artsy A-list hauled out the weekend jewels, glittery gowns and rhinestone studded stiletto heels — on a Thursday, of all things — for the opening of Cincinnati Opera's summer festival.

        As always, the Opera Guild's black tie cocktail reception and dinner in Corbett Tower was sold out — 300 people paid $75 a pop for salmon, beef tenderloin and a right refreshing cold cucumber soup on a right unrefreshing and plenty steamy night.

        This year's gala was a double celebration: Besides the opening and its lavish production of Romeo and Juliet, this is the 30th anniversary of the opera's move to Music Hall after all those humid years at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.

        So naturally there was a lot of talk about those days — it's amazing how many patrons remember the rickety pavilion and screeching peacocks. It's also amazing — and it says something about the opera's success attracting a younger audience — how many weren't even alive in those days.

        Chatting it up about all that and more over cocktails in Music Hall's foyer were looooooong time opera supporters Phyllis Weston, Patricia Corbett, Len and Sherie Marek, Tom and Chris Neyer, Melody Sawyer Richardson, Patrick Korb, Roger and Janet Ach, event chair Jackie Rabinowitz, Jack and Barbara Hahn and a zillion or so more.

DJ's living a dream
Jane Glover conveys the joys of Mozart
Braid extensions still hot for summer
DAUGHERTY: Everyday
KENDRICK: Alive and Well
Motor city in miniature
DEMALINE: The arts
Fest sets stage for community actors
Patrons talk the night away at opera gala
Singer, actress stars in 'Thunder Knocking on the Door'
Kid Rock channels Hank Jr. in concert
Nostalgia rock double bill not good company
'Romeo and Juliet' needs more chemistry
Trouble right here in 'Music Man'
Claddagh's Cobb closest to classic salad
Serve it this week: cucumbers
Get to it