BEFORE THE BLUE

Eve of Thea benefit features hospitality, music, libations

Clark Trim and Henrik Thostrup opened their doors -- and their proverbial liquor cabinet -- to locals and out-of-towners the night of May 14 for a pre-party celebrating Into the Blue: An Evening With President Bill Clinton, which followed the next night at the Clinton Presidential Center.

Into the Blue, formerly held in Washington, is the landmark fundraiser for the Thea Foundation, which has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to Arkansas high school seniors since 2002. The foundation is named for the late Thea Kay Leopoulos, daughter of co-founders Linda and Paul Leopoulos, who also serves as executive director.

Guests mingled on the well-decorated patios of the couple's Little Rock home and dined on a lavish buffet prepared by Thostrup. Trim is president of Colonial Wines & Spirits and new to the Thea Foundation board.

Beverages were plentiful, as was the fare, which included mousse de foie gras, smoked tuna dip and salmon mousse to start. The main course included grilled beef tenderloin carpaccio style, grilled pork tenderloin, grilled beef sirloin and balsamic glazed salmon sides accompanied by fresh asparagus, potato salad nicoise, tomato basil Caprese salad and couscous salad.

The pre-event featured performances by previous scholarship recipients Bonnie Frauenthal and Jacob Keith Watson, both of New York, and Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School graduating senior Trevaughn Whitley, who delivered an entertaining monologue. Frauenthal performed "Sempre Libera" from the Verdi opera La Traviata and Watson sang "The Streets of Dublin" from the musical A Man of No Importance.

"These performers make me proud to be an American, but even more so, they make me proud to be an Arkansan," Paul Leopoulos said.

The main event netted $210,000 for the Thea Foundation.

-- Story and photos by

Cyd King

High Profile on 05/22/2016

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