GREENE – Event organizers at The Chenango River Theatre are readying to roll out hundreds of items onto the auction floor during the theatre group’s sixth annual Winter Gala, set to take place from 6 to 9:30 p.m., Jan. 19, at the Silo Restaurant in Greene.
Tickets are available at the cost of $65 per person through the Chenango River Theatre offices. Gala fare includes a selection of epicurean delights, house wine, beer, and other assorted beverages.
Bill Lelbach, artistic and managing director of the Chenango River Theatre, said this year’s event promises something a little different than in previous years, with unique signature items never before displayed at any of its past auctions, including an Everlast boxing glove - autographed by the boxing great Muhammad Ali - and a Fender guitar signed by music legend Bruce Springsteen.
Last week, the Chenango River Theatre also confirmed one more high-end item to be auctioned off: a mini reproduction of the original “Star Wars” poster, signed by Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, Frank Oz, Billy Dee Williams, John Williams and George Lucas - all the great names tied to the iconic film.
Amid these featured pieces, Lelbach said there’s also thousands of dollars worth of items that were donated by local artists, jewelers, businesses and restaurants, as well as a $7,500 cash prize and vacation getaways to Wrightsville Beach, NC; the Endless Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania; and a week getaway in Lourmarin, France.
“We often get merchants throughout the area to donate gift certificates and art work. There are all kinds of gift items that we will have on display,” Lelbach said, also noting that last year’s gala quickly sold out. Invitations to this year’s event were mailed last week and with many already returned, he said hopes are to sell out again this year. “This is always a casual, fun party. It’s open for anyone,” he added, “but we do suggest that people get their response in early.”
The Winter Gala is the largest annual fundraiser for the Chenango River Theatre. Money raised helps to secure a good part of its $215,000 annual budget. The professional non-profit theatre relies heavily on donations and events like its Winter Gala to keep its doors open, Lelbach explained. Approximately half its yearly budget comes by way of ticket sales and concessions, while the rest is raise by grants, donations, and community support.
Last year’s gala helped to raise more than $28,000, about 13 percent of the organization’s annual budget, said Lelbach. Hopes this year are to meet and beat that benchmark. “Attendance has been pretty consistent the last several years. People come from all over and it’s a great help to us,” he said. “Major corporate support can be hard to come by, even though we are fortunate to have some corporate support in this area. So we rely heavily on community support.”
The Chenango River Theatre will also use the occasion to announce two of the four plays it has planned for 2013, which gets underway with the first show of the season in May.
For additional information about the Chenango River Theatre and the annual Winter Gala, call 656-8778, or visit its website, www.chenangorivertheatre.org.