The Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre will host its annual gala Thursday evening, bringing together members of the Palouse for a night of music and drinks. The Kenworthy’s doors open at 7 p.m. and entertainment begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 online or at the box office at the time of the event.
Christine Gilmore, the Kenworthy’s executive director, said the gala is the nonprofit’s largest event fundraiser, raising about 40 percent of the money for the year.
In the past, the Kenworthy has spent money raised during the gala on improvements, such as new sound equipment and expanding their offerings of high-quality art experiences, Gilmore said. She said this year roughly marks the 10th consecutive gala celebrating the arts, the Moscow community and the Kenworthy while featuring high-end entertainment at a low cost.
Each year, the event remains mostly the same, aside from the change in entertainment.
Thursday’s gala features the Portland Cello Project, a collection of musicians based in Portland, Oregon. The group has been performing since 2006, touring the United States and Canada.
They hope to bring the cello to places where people wouldn’t normally see it, perform music not typically associated with the cello and build bridges between different musical communities, according to their website.
In the past, the gala has featured the University of Idaho’s Dancer Drummers Dreamers group, Palouse Jazz Project and other local or non-local artists.
The gala begins with a beer and wine raffle, Gilmore said, put together by 12 board members who donate their favorite drinks to create a basket.
Although participants must be 21 or older to win, she said the event is family friendly, as the Kenworthy is a family-focused business.
Jamie Hill, Kenworthy operations director, said the first hour of the event is a social hour. There will be beer and wine from Hunga Dunga, as well as Love’s Kombucha and desserts from Goose House Bakery.
Hill said the gala is a time for them to share with Kenworthy patrons what they’ve done in the last year and what they can look forward to in the future.
But it’s also a time for the community to relax and enjoy a place they’ve helped create, she said.
“It’s kind of like our new year,” she said. “A time to say thank you for supporting us all year long.”
Gilmore said she encourages people to attend the gala because it brings a high-quality act to a small community at a low price, providing a night to dress up and enjoy the culture of Moscow. In addition, she said it’s important for the community to understand the Kenworthy provides more than just movies.
“It is a place and space for art,” Gilmore said.
Jordan Willson can be reached at [email protected]