04/06/2017 5:03 PM -
Las Doñas de la Corte Presenting the 64th Annual Buccaneer Days Coronation
“The Court of Exquisite Brilliance” on May 4, 2017
The public is invited to attend and celebrate a night of South Texas pageantry and
splendor; tickets available now
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – (April 6, 2017) - Las Doñas de la Corte is proud to present “The Court of Exquisite Brilliance” on Thursday, May 4, at the American Bank Center Selena Auditorium. This year marks the 64th year of the annual Buccaneer Days Coronation, and the public is invited to attend.
The annual Buccaneer Coronation, modeled after a royal court reminiscent of the Spanish rule of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, pays homage to 16th century explorer Alonso De Pineda who discovered Corpus Christi Bay. Each year King Alonso and the Queen are crowned at the Coronation pageant. King Alonso, the Queen and the Princess of the court remain closely guarded secrets until they are each presented at the end of the Coronation.
The Coronation and its time-honored traditions began in Corpus Christi in 1954 when - at the request of the local Civitan Club - Las Doñas presented a Buccaneer Days Coronation Pageant, designed to promote Buccaneer Days festivities in South Texas and throughout the state. The King’s Men organization was formed to support and further publicize Buccaneer Days and Corpus Christi, as well as to assist Las Doñas with the court and the annual celebration.
Each year Las Doñas presents this extraordinary pageant, honoring local and out-of-town families, as they celebrate the traditions of the past which are woven into the present and culminate in a magnificent night of courtly splendor. Since 1954, hundreds of families have participated in this community event. In keeping with that heritage and tradition, Duchesses and children in this year’s court represent second and often third generation family participation in this annual event.
Mrs. Michael Mintz, President of Las Doñas de la Corte, has announced that the official Court Artist of this year’s dresses is Las Doñas member, Mrs. Jack Powers. She is also this year’s Wardrobe Chairman.
For the past two years, 24 royal gowns and trains considered true works of art, have been designed to depict this year’s theme, “The Court of Exquisite Brilliance.” Each Duchess will be presented in a magnificent hand-tailored costume showcasing the beauty and brilliance of some of the most interesting and iconic jewelry pieces in history. Coronation Chairman, Mrs. Eugene C. Urban, Jr., along with Dennis Randolph and his associates at Strong Productions of Austin, have created this year’s stage design. “This year Las Doñas de la Corte honors the ingenuity, workmanship and emotions that make exquisite jewelry pieces into timeless treasures,” explained Urban. The Wardrobe Chairmen and the court designs that she created have been brought to life by Couturiers Georgette Afram; Gloria Bechara and Samia Bechara- Palfreyman; Andres Contreras and Lucy Salinas and Monica Castillo.
In addition to all of the time-honored Coronation traditions, Las Doñas de la Corte is also proud to partner with the Coastal Bend Community Foundation in supporting our community. Friends and family may honor Duchesses and all participants in the court by donating to the Coastal Bend Day of Giving Matching Fund through the Foundation. This is a special way to commemorate the Court during the Buccaneer Coronation as well as benefit Corpus Christi and the surrounding communities. To donate or for more information about the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, go online to www.cbcfoundation.org.
The evening of the Coronation, doors at Selena Auditorium will open at 6:30 p.m. and the Coronation begins at 7:30 p.m. Immediately following the Coronation, the public is also invited to the Coronation Reception which will be held upstairs in the Henry Garrett Ballroom in American Bank Center. At the reception guests will have the opportunity to meet the Duchesses and Royalty and observe the extraordinary costume designs. Light hors-d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available.
Tickets are $60 each and will be available on ticketchmaster.com starting April 5, 2017.
The Royal Robes Display will be held at the Art Center of Corpus Christi – 100 Shoreline Boulevard. from May 10 – June 4. Admission is free.
About SMG
SMG turns 40 in 2017! Celebrating its 40th anniversary and founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to 233 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theaters, performing arts centers, amphitheaters, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 15 million square feet of exhibition space and more than 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Soldier Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s NRG Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering companies, currently serving more than 140 accounts worldwide. For more information visit www.smgworld.com.
SMG managed American Bank Center is Corpus Christi’s premier event center. Follow us online at www.Americanbankcenter.com, facebook.com/AmericanBankCenter, twitter.com/AmericanBankCtr, on Instagram @americanbankcenter, Tumblr @AmericanBankCenter, on Periscope @Americanbankcenter.
and now on snapchat @americanbnkctr.
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