Blues Brothers tribute band tops the bill at Adirondack Theatre Festival’s 17th Winter Benefit

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON on Friday, January 14, 2011
Hosted by Honorary Chairs Mark and Sara Mannix, the evening includes the area’s most unique silent and live auctions plus food and beverages by some of the area’s most popular establishments.

Glens Falls -- Adirondack Theatre Festival celebrates the start of its 17th year on Friday, January 14, 2010 with its winter benefit at the Charles R. Wood Theater in downtown Glens Falls (207 Glen Street). This annual event raises valuable funds for our area’s premiere professional, nonprofit summer theatre. Tickets range from $65 - $170 and can be purchased online at www.ATFestival.org, over the phone at 518.874.0800 or in person at the Wood Theater box office, Wednesday – Friday from 12noon – 5pm. For the past three years ATF’s winter benefit has played to sold-out crowds, establishing it as the social event of the winter season. A month and a half before the event, over 100 tickets have already been sold.

The 2011 theme is Once in a Blue Moon. ATF’s benefit is well known for its creative decorations and treats which completely transform the Wood Theater for one big party each year. This year the benefit committee invites the audience to join in the fun by dressing in blue. The blue theme will permeate the evening all the way up to and including the entertainment by Hats & Shades, NYC’s #1 Blues Brothers tribute band playing the songs made famous by John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd on Saturday Night Live and in the 1980 movie.

Silent and Live Auctions
Highlights of the evening are ATF’s unique silent and live auctions. Assembled by a volunteer committee of more than thirty-five ATF supporters, the silent auction, open from 7:00 – 8:30 pm, puts merchandise, gift certificates and collectibles up for bid – more than 150 items in total.

Once the silent auction closes, auctioneer Martin Seelye will take to the stage offering up for bid a collection of items sure to entice. The live auction includes 4 tickets to a Red Sox vs. Yankees Game at Fenway Park, four tickets to any Broadway show of your choice and a dinner for you and your friends by Michelin starred Chef Suvir Saran at his Washington County farm, American Masala.

One of the most unique items up for bid this year is the creation of an original song composed specifically for the winning bidder by Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian, the songwriting team that created Murder for Two: A Killer Musical. The show, which premiered at ATF last summer, just completed a critically acclaimed run in San Francisco and is headed to Chicago next summer. A complete list of items will be posted on ATF’s website a week before the event.

Behind the scenes sneak peek
During its 16 year history ATF has established itself a one of our region’s top cultural attractions. Shows originating at ATF have gone on to receive productions in NYC, across the country and internationally. To celebrate this important legacy, Pepe Productions will screen its new video highlighting ATF’s contributions to our community and beyond. Looking towards the future, Producing Artistic Director Mark Fleischer will unveil the line-up for the theatre’s anticipated 17th summer season.

Food & Beverage
While at the event those in attendance will be treated to food from Gourmet Café, beer from Davidson Brothers, wines from Adirondack Wine Merchants and desserts from Café Sarah of North Creek and Prima Gourmet Marketplace & Eatery of Glens Falls.

Sponsors
ATF’s 17th Winter Benefit is sponsored by The Chronicle, 100.3 The Point, Trampoline Design, Davidson Brothers, JMZ Architects, Adirondack Wine Merchants and Lake George RV Park.