The Columbus Arts Council”s Dining for Art gala is just around the corner. The March 27 event at the Rosenzweig Arts Center in the heart of downtown Columbus will serve up mouth-watering food, silent and live auctions and entertainment by the always popular Class of 65 and Big Ben Atkins.
The 7 p.m.-until fundraiser will feature tempting heavy hors d”oeuvres by some of Columbus” best, including The Front Door/Back Door, Bridget Harding Catering, Huck”s Place, Tampico Bay and Zachary”s Restaurant.
Feel like getting away from it all? Be the successful bidder on a week”s condo stay in Colorado, or a weekend at Smith Lake up for auction. Or enhance your decor with original art from 20 artists including Linda Dalke, Cathy Pilkinton, Renee Sheridan, Judy Hanson, Ralph Null and Ron Morris.
Vie for spa services, furniture from TS Berry, original handmade quilting by the Possum Town Quilters, Ray Ban sunglasses or any of the other exciting items or services generously donated by area businesses and benefactors.
For sports fans, a hot ticket item is the University of Alabama commemorative championship football, covered with team signatures. Or perhaps you prefer a New Orleans Saints football signed by Scott Fujita. Also on the block are a Mississippi State University basketball and baseball.
“Dining for Art is the Columbus Arts Council”s main fundraiser,” said gala chair Elizabeth Johnson. “Through a night of fun and fellowship, it allows us to give back to you for your generosity throughout the year.”
CAC director Rachel Smith Hurt added, “As fun as the auctions are, they are vital to the continued programs offered by the arts council.”
Dance for art to the Motown, soul and oldies from Class of 65, complete with horn section. Lead vocalist and co-founder Ben Atkins has been pleasing crowds for decades, even before he signed with Stax Records in the 1960s and his album made Billboard”s Top 100 and his single the Top 40.
How to go
Tickets for the event are $50 per person (a portion is tax deductible) at the arts center at 501 Main Street, open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 662-328-2787, or reserve your spot by e-mailing Hurt at [email protected] or Johnson at [email protected]. See images of more auction items at www.columbus-arts.com.
If you”d like to attend a pre-party, such as an entertaining French cooking party March 25, hosted by Anne Freeze and Jennifer Brady, or Another Enchanted Evening, hosted by Sid and Brenda Caradine and Table of Plenty earlier on the evening of the 27th, that treat is included in the ticket price, space permitting. Just ask for details when purchasing your ticket.
Johnson stressed the importance of supporting continuing arts in Columbus and Golden Triangle through Dining for Art and arts council memberships and sponsorships.
“Without your support, we can”t offer the gallery exhibits, music events, Young People”s Artist Series, classes and summer camps presented year-round, so we hope everyone will join us in keeping the arts vibrant in the community. This will be an exciting night to be at the Rosenzweig and celebrate the arts!”
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.