The wreaths will be hung, the tree lit and the holiday tables set. Celebrate the start of the joyful holiday season with Holiday Tables 2012 – The Fine Art of Entertaining, presented by Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary. Cranbrook House will welcome 13 exhibitors for its 37th Holiday Tables fundraiser event. The tables will embrace a wide range of designs, cultures and holiday themes —from over the top, to quiet elegance; all unique and all in the spirit of our theme. These beautifully decorated, festive tables will be on display in Cranbrook House, November 16, 17 and 18. A preview tea is available by reservation on November 15.
Pre-sale tickets (by November 9) are $15. Tickets purchased at the door are $20 per person. General admission days are Friday, November 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, November 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, November 18 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a Patron Tea on Thursday, November 15 at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required by November 9 for tea, tickets are $75 each. Tickets for each event may be purchased online at housegardens.cranbrook.edu, by phone at 248 645.3149, or in person at the Cranbrook Auxiliary office.
Cranbrook House will present five educational seminars included in the price of each ticket over the course of the weekend. In addition to viewing the charmingly decorated holiday tables, guests can attend the seminar(s) for free on the same day. Please note: additional tickets must be purchased to attend seminars on different days. Seating is on an as available basis. The Holiday Tables 2012 – The Fine Art of Entertaining seminar schedule includes:
Friday, November 16
“If These Keys Could Talk” 11:30 a.m.
Presented by Leslie Edwards, Cranbrook Head Archivist, who will discuss the history of the Steinway piano.
“Enjoying the Fine Art of Miniatures” 1:30 p.m.
Presented by Mary Rosenbusch. Explore the miniature world from the early history of doll houses in England & Germany and much more.
Saturday, November 17
“Color Your Winter Garden with Beautiful Birds!” 11:30 a.m.
Presented by LuAnn Linker of Wild Birds Unlimited in Royal Oak. Bringing nature home.
“The Fine Art of Decorating Cranbrook House” 1:30 p.m.
Presented by Robbie Terman, a member of the Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary Docents. She will discuss the art, tapestries, sculptures and cartouches in Cranbrook House.
Sunday, November 18
“Fresh and Fabulous Holiday Décor” 1:30 p.m.
Presented by Kimberly Peterson of Peony. Kimberly will demonstrate how to create the perfect holiday arrangement.
Every year Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary dedicate the funds raised at Holiday Tables towards achieving its mission of conservation, restoration, and preservation of the Cranbrook founders’ home and gardens. Funds collected from The Fine Art of Entertaining will go towards restoring and repairing the Steinway piano of Cranbrook House, a significant piece with a lively past.
Cranbrook’s Steinway piano was made by Steinway and Sons of New York in December, 1929. George Booth purchased it for the Cranbrook Academy of Art in February, 1935, making it the third owner of the piano. In 1950, the piano was moved to Cranbrook House, where it has been ever since. Cranbrook treasures this concert grand model D, ebony cased piano and appreciates the many fine pianists who have played it including Leonard Bernstein, who may have been working on his Facsimile when he visited Cranbrook in 1946. Restoration on the piano will include replacing the sound board, bridge repair and/or recapping, repining and restringing, adding new damper felts, and a complete restoration of the wood frame.
