Dean Davis of Lewiston will play James Brown at Satuday’s fundraiser for the Lewiston Civic Theatre.
The Lewiston Civic Theatre’s Fine Arts Ball Saturday, March 1 will feature many musicians who call the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley home, they just won’t be recognizable as themselves.
Local musicians will perform as famous musicians at the 43rd annual fundraiser to be held at the Lewiston Elks Temple. Among the 15 acts are James Brown (Dean Davis), Elvis (Jon Lane), Bob Dylan (Dan Faller), Bette Midler (Stephanie Hennigan), Frank Sinatra (Tyler Landon), K.D. Lang (Shania Rales), Elton John (Torry Lewis), the Charlie Daniels Band (the Seven Devils) and KISS (the Katz Band).The event is the biggest one-day fundraiser of the year for the theater, says gala organizer and theater board member Jennifer Menegas. “The reason we do this every year is to keep the civic alive and going. You can’t keep it up with ticket sales alone.”
Doors open at 5 p.m. A full dinner buffet will be served at 6. “The Legends of Music” show will be followed by dancing to music by the Katz Band at 9 p.m. The theater will also announce its 2014-15 season lineup. Other highlights are a raffle and silent auction where items include: work by Lewiston artist Ralph Crawford, famous for sculpting Arnold Schwarzenegger; local wine; overnight trips and more.
One of the expenses the theater faces is maintenance on the century-old church it calls home. Multiple stained glass windows need to be replaced in the designated historic building. Menegas says the theater needs to raise $40,000 for the project.
An addition to the theater in recent years is the creation of a year-round after-school children’s program called the Acting Out Youth Company, run by Mel Syverson. The program has become a major focus for the nonprofit theater.
“We want to do more for these children,” Menegas says. “Some of these kids are kind of marginalized. They get on stage and find their home and blossom. … We need to acquire another building to house kids’ shows and rehearsal space.”
if you go
WHAT: The Lewiston Civic Theatre’s Fine Arts Ball
WHEN: 5 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Lewiston Elks Temple, 3444 Country Club Drive, Lewiston
COST: $50 dinner and show, $37.28 show only
OF NOTE: Ticket price includes free admission to a future theater show. Tickets are available at the theater box office by calling (208) 746-3401 or emailing lctboxoffice@gmail.com. Show-only tickets cannot be purchased online. Walk-ins the night of the gala are welcome but reservations are recommended.
