Coquitlam’s Place des Arts is getting into the Mardi Gras spirit early with a New Orleans-themed party this month to benefit arts education.
The Maillardville arts and music centre will be festooned in gold, green and purple feathers, beads and other fancy décor for the Oct. 17 fête, with its atrium and Leonore Peyton galleries filled with jazz songs and dance.
It’s the fifth time the non-profit organization has hosted an Impromptu gala. Last year, the Brunette Avenue hub was transformed in to Studio 54 bash.
“We wanted to continue the party,” said Michael Fera, program and events co-ordinator, “and what better party is there than Mardi Gras in the French Quarter?”
Executive director Joan McCauley said Impromptu is like no other gala as performances from actors and musicians pop up throughout the evening.
“There’s really that element of surprise that’s so fun to be around. You never know what’s going to happen next,” she said, adding, “You can be part of it or you can just watch the action.”
The annual fundraiser brings in cash through tickets sales as well as auctions and a raffle. McCauley said the chance of winning the raffle prize — a $1,000 shopping spree at Coquitlam Centre mall plus $200 in spa services at Eccotique and a $50 meal at Montana’s — is one in 200 (tickets for the raffle can be purchased now at Place des Arts at 1120 Brunette Ave.; the winner’s name will be announced at Impromptu).
As for the live auction, which will be conducted by Templeton secondary fine arts teacher Jim Crescenzo, there are plenty of goodies to bid on including a show of your choice at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver in Coquitlam and a meet and greet with the entertainer afterward (depending on availability).
But if you prefer the silent auction, 40 packages can be had such as a Tom Lee guitar, a two-night Whistler getaway at Evolution Hotel, a one-night stay in Victoria (plus admission to Butchart Gardens) and personal fitness training.
McCauley said last year’s Disco Fever gala raised $13,000 for arts education. The target for Impromptu 2015 is between $10,000 and $15,000.
Since it started in 2010, the fundraiser has collected nearly $50,000 to offer subsidized classes for families in financial need (through the city of Coquitlam’s Get Connected, Get Active program); bursaries; Family Day at PdA; Art a la Carte after-school programs; ArtReach summer camp; and youth engagement.
“Not all kids want to play sports,” McCauley said, “so it’s important that the arts be accessible to everyone who wants to do it. It is shown that arts can lead to a balanced life for a child.”
Place des Arts, which is funded in part by the city of Coquitlam as well as foundation grants and private and public donors, sees about three-quarters of its students from the Tri-Cities. The rest come from surrounding municipalities such as New Westminster, Burnaby and Surrey.
McCauley said those students make the trek to another jurisdiction because of Place des Arts’ teachers and programs. “We have a very strong reputation in the community and beyond,” she said.
• Impromptu Mardi Gras is sponsored in part by The Tri-City News. Tickets are $60 for general admission or $50 each for groups of five or more. Otherwise, enjoy the VIP champagne reception for $80, which includes jazz piano music from faculty member Isaac Juarez-Flores. Call 604-664-1636 or visit brownpapertickets.com.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
twitter@jwarrenTC
