Sting and Liza Minnelli are two of the stars expected at this year’s Lewiston Civic Theatre Fine Arts Ball. Local singers and musicians will become the music icons for the “Legends of Music” fundraiser at Lewis Clark Plaza in Lewiston.
Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Nat King Cole, Mama Cass Elliot, Mason Williams and the Rolling Stones are other legends that will perform in character.
“We have so many amazing musicians and singers in this town. We wanted to showcase their talents,” says Jennifer Menegas, committee chairwoman for the ball.
“Legends of Music” is a new take on the theater’s largest fundraiser of the year. It replaces “Dancing with the LC Stars,” which Menegas says had reached the end of its run.
The audience will vote with their money for their favorite singer or group, Menegas explains. Seasons Bistro of Lewiston will cater the event, which includes a no-host bar with wine or beer. Golf, vacation, spa and fishing packages; orthodontics; televisions; paintings and vintage clothing will be among items up for bid in a silent auction.
After the winners of the evening are announced, the lineup for the theater’s 2013-14 season will be revealed. Performers will preview a few of the songs to come.
“People will be blown away with what we’ve got planned,” Menegas says.
The Katz Band of Lewiston, dressed as the Beatles from the era of the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” will play music for dancing to conclude the night.
The ball is the main fundraiser of the year for the theater.
“Probably 30 percent of our budget is from ticket sales,” Menegas says. The rest is sponsorships, donations and volunteer hours.
The theater also receives $32,000 a year from the city.
With the resignation of the theater’s artistic director in November, the theater’s board of directors selected the shows for the upcoming season, says Menegas, a member of the board. She says the theater is doing well and that many good directors have come forward to oversee productions.
The Fine Arts Ball will include stories of local performers who grew up using the theater and went on to become professionals. This includes Katie Strohmaier, who has a career as an actor and singer in regional repertory theater and commercials; and Chaske Spencer, who recently starred in the “Twilight” film series.
“Theater is not just a bunch of actors and singers wanting to show off. It’s a home for so many people,” Menegas says. “It teaches self-esteem, memorization, public speaking and team work in kids and adults.”
To those people who say they prefer movies to theater, Menegas points out that it’s the little theaters in little towns that grow actors for movies and television. From the orchestra to people working behind the scenes, there are hundreds of volunteer hours involved.
Tickets are $25 and are available online or through the theater box office at (208) 746-3401. Ticket-holders will be automatically entered to win a raffle prize. Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the night for other items.
What: 42nd Annual Fine Arts Ball When: 6 p.m. Saturday Where: Lewis Clark Plaza, 111 Main St. Cost: $25 at lctheatre.org or the Lewiston Civic Theatre box office.
