By JENNIFER K. BAUER JKBAUER@INLAND360.COM
LEWISTON — When it comes to music legends, there are those who inspire millions and then there is the stuff of urban legend — like that unsung guy who can unbelievably nail Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” at the local karaoke bar.
Community theaters are a magnet for such talent and the Lewiston Civic Theatre will put it on grand display Saturday, March 7 at their biggest fundraiser of the year, the Legends of Music 2015 Fine Arts Ball.
Kicking off the show will be the Nez Perce drum group Lightning Creek, nominated for a 2014 Native American Music Award. The band will be followed by more than 20 Lewiston-Clarkston Valley bands and performers impersonating famous musicians like Billie Holiday (Jeanene Sanders), Bon Jovi (Alan Clark), Andrea Bocelli (Isaac Ryckegham), Bruno Mars (Gany Lacuesta), Garth Brooks (Chad Bramlet), Barbra Streisand (Amy Baker) and Devo (the Katz Band).
“There’s something for everybody,” says Jennifer Menegas, chairwoman for the annual fundraiser, about the variety that spans from the Eagles (the Jurassic Band led by Jim Grow) to Lady Gaga (Melanie Magee).
Organizers hope to raise $50,000 to put into the century-old former church that houses the theater, she says. The funds will be used to help bring the building up to code.
“Ticket sales barely keep the doors open and pay the bills,” she says. “We need to raise money but we want to give people something in return.”
The show is a competition and the audience will vote for their favorite acts by giving money to people circulating with ballot boxes. The top three performers will go home with trophies. People can vote with cash, checks or use a credit card to buy tickets to vote.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for happy hour. Dinner will be served at 6:30. The theater will reveal the lineup for its 2015-16 season before the show starts at 7 p.m. After the show ends there will be dancing to music by the Katz Band starting around 9. Tickets are $50 and should be reserved by Tuesday, March 3.
Last year’s fundraiser was held at the Lewiston Elks Temple and drew more than 400 people, Menegas says. This led them to move the event to the casino, which can accommodate an even larger crowd.
If You Go
What: Legends of Music 2015 Fine Arts Ball
When: Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, March 7 Where: Clearwater River Casino Event Center Cost: $50 per person or $350 for a table of eight. Tickets should be reserved by Tuesday, March 3. Ticket prices include dinner and a free ticket to a future Lewiston Civic Theatre production. Tickets are available by calling the theater box office at (208) 746-3401 or online at lctheatre.org.
