By Kathy L. Collins
On Saturday, April 13, Center Place will hold its 29th Annual Arts Gala Celebration. This year’s theme is “Surf’s Up!” The annual event will take place at Center Place located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon at 7 p.m.
This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Center Place, and the event will take place at Center Place this year.
Dawn Galia, Executive Director of Center Place said, “We are really excited to bring the event back home! We will be tenting the deck area and using all of our space at Center Place. In addition, we will have free valet parking!”
Galia added, “Many people have attended our event in the past at different venues, but they have never been to Center Place. We would like the community to be a part of the tradition that founded the arts in the Brandon community.”
This is a casual party so flip flops and Hawaiian shirts are the order of the evening.
Tickets are $100.00 per person. Table sponsors are available beginning at $550. Table sponsors receive preferred seating, signage, ad space, name on the sponsors’ billboard, listing on Center Place’s website, entrance to the VIP reception (beginning at 6:30 p.m.) and a one-time 25% room rental.
During the evening, attendees will dine on delicious island-inspired fare provided by Spotlight Catering. The DJ and emcee for the evening will be Big Beat Entertainment. There will be steel drums and hula dancers and a free full premium bar.
A highlight of Center Place’s Arts Gala is its silent auction. According to Galia, “We will have tickets for Disney and Busch Gardens, Lowry Park Zoo and Big Cat. We will also have certificates to spas, salons and restaurants.”
In addition, Center Place will present the Odiorne Scholarship and Spud Clements award at the Gala.
Lisa Rodriguez, Marketing Director for Center Place said, “Since 1979, Center Place has provided easy access to the arts for children and adults, providing fine art classes and theatre for our entire community to enjoy. In order to continue our mission, we come together, enjoy a great party, and raise the funds needed to enrich our community.”
Center Place is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information about Center Place and to reserve a ticket, please visit www.centerplacebrandon.org or call 685-8888.
