Kenworthy to host annual gala
For one night this week, Moscow residents will have the opportunity to dress up, drink champagne and listen to jazz while bidding on items to support a local theater.
The Kenworthy advertises for its seventh annual gala and fundraiser at sunset Monday evening.
The Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre will host its seventh annual gala and fundraiser at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Christine Gilmore, executive director of the Kenworthy, said one of the primary reasons for the event is to increase the Moscow community’s knowledge of the Kenworthy.
“Basically, it is our way to show to the community everything we can do,” Gilmore said. “Yes, it’s a fundraiser first and foremost, but it’s also a really great opportunity for people to come to the theater who’ve never been here before.”
Gilmore said tickets for the Kenworthy Gala are available for $20 at BookPeople or at the door Thursday, and each purchased ticket comes with a free glass of champagne or sparkling cider.
She said the gala will include entertainment from the University of Idaho’s Jazz Four ensemble, appetizers from pizza and catering company PRLR, a no-host bar provided by Sangria and a silent auction with items from local businesses.
“It’s to get people aware of the theater,” she said. “Aware of what we do, what we can do and also a way to say thank you to our community by reaching out and working with other organizations and businesses, a way to highlight them as well.”
Gilmore said the Moscow community gets involved in the gala by donating items for the silent auction, helping coordinate the event or donating time and skills.
“All of these things would not be possible without the support of our local businesses, organizations,” she said. “The jazz band coming in, they’re donating their time to do this for us, to put on a great show for everybody.”
Gilmore said the Kenworthy’s goal each year has been to raise $10,000, and that the amount they’ve raised in years prior has gotten closer to that goal, so she has considered it a successful fundraiser in the past.
She said those at the Kenworthy wanted to focus more on creating a fun experience for the gala’s participants, so that people would come back for other events.
“It’s a very big event. It’s really exciting because the community comes in, they get dressed up, they have a great time, they have their glass of champagne, bid on some things,” she said. “But also, just have a reason to dress up and be a part of the community.”
Jamie Hill, Kenworthy’s house manager, said members of a committee have worked for months in preparation for the gala. She said members of the committee are responsible for obtaining the silent auction items, among other preparations.
She said the Kenworthy is a great place to meet members of the community.
“It’s an awesome place to come. It’s really a community gathering space,” Hill said. “It’s somewhere that everyone comes, and even if it’s your first time here, you will end up having a conversation with someone.”
Hill said she thought the community atmosphere made the Kenworthy unique among other theaters and performance venues.
“I think that a lot of our world today doesn’t really have that place to connect up with people, and just genuinely chat,” Hill said. “But here, it’s a very cross-cultural, everybody’s talking with everyone, everybody gets to know each other and it’s a really social event, no matter what we’re doing here.”
Daphne Jackson can be reached at [email protected]