The night Studio 54 opened in New York City, on April 26, 1977, celebrities were cramming to get in.
Mick Jagger, Liza Minnelli, Debbie Harry, Brooke Shields and Halston were among the A-list that got past the door. And, inside, it was quite a party with thousands of revellers dancing to the sounds of Donna Summer, Rick James and The Village People - all clad in the latest fashions.
It was boogie nights with brightly coloured lights and disco jam in glitter glam.
That kind of frothy scene will be re-created next week for a fundraiser at a Coquitlam arts and music hub. For the fourth fall in a row, Place des Arts will get decked out for its Impromptu gala - and Disco Fever is the theme for 2014.
Michael Fera, Place des Arts' program and events co-ordinator, said guests will be transported to 1977 courtesy of emcee Saul Rubell - a (fake) distant cousin to Studio 54 co-owner Steve Rubell - and entertained by a cast of characters that includes Party Galore and DJ Tony Pescara, "the hottest DJ west of New York City," Fera said.
Pescara, he explained, wants in on the action at Place des Arts, which he hears is on the leading edge of the arts on the west coast, after only five years in operation.
The 150 attendees will be asked to dance with the characters and witness "behind-the-scenes" drama of opening night at Studio 1120 (a twist on Place des Arts' address of 1120 Brunette Ave.).
"You can expect the unexpected," Fera said. "There's going to be glitter. There's going to be mirror balls, big sound, coloured lights and glamour."
And drinks will be served at a cash bar with names such as The Liza, The Bianca and The Capote, a nod to Ms. Minnelli, Ms. Jagger and Truman, the novelist.
The Disco Fever-themed night is in contrast to last year's Impromptu fundraiser when the straight-laces of 1958 were in the limelight. That event, based on a "Golden Age of TV" participatory show, brought in around $10,000 for arts programs and gave many students - especially those whose families couldn't afford tuition - a chance to be part of the classes offered at PdA.
Joan McCauley, executive director of Place des Arts, said this year's goal is to bring in $15,000 to increase the number of artistic opportunities for young people. "If you look at the population of the Tri-Cities, there are lots of new families," she said. "We are also one of the most diverse communities in the Lower Mainland, and not everybody wants to play sports. I'm proud of the fact we are helping low-income families."
According to its spokesperson, Place des Arts has assisted nearly 100 Coquitlam families - with more than 130 registrations - since it partnered with the city last year for Get Connected Get Active.
Proceeds from Impromptu also go to: scholarships and bursaries; Family Day at PdA; and youth engagement like a summer theatre troupe, student performances, Youth Arts Council, Art a la Carte and ArtReach, an outreach summer camp for at-risk kids.
McCauley said the need is great and space is running out at the Maillardville building.
"We are at capacity," she said, noting the non-profit society also has branched out to the Evergreen Cultural Centre and the old Millside elementary.
According to its 2013 annual report, the centre logged more than 91,500 visits last year: 13,453 from visual and literary arts students, 18,156 from dance and theatre arts students and 26,643 from music students. The general public and community groups made up another 11,839 visits.
McCauley said its $2.2-million budget is stretched. The city grant of $840,000 covers the building management such as salaries and maintenance but the other 61% of revenues is "self-earned."
McCauley said the plan is to have Impromptu expand in the future to include a capital component, where money is set aside to build bigger especially for performing arts.
Currently, Place des Arts is working with Coquitlam staff on the city's draft master parks and recreation plan - a 15-year vision for a doubled population - as well as the companion arts and culture strategic plan document.
First, though, Place des Arts needs to focus on its operations and create more awareness of its facility, McCauley said.
Given the prizes up for grabs at Impromptu, Place des Arts has already created its mark in the arts community, attracting top businesses to donate gifts for the gala auctions (see sidebar).
Sponsored in part by The Tri-City News, Impromptu: Disco Fever runs on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. (a VIP lounge will be held at 6 p.m. and includes a champagne fountain). Tickets at $60, or $90 for the VIP experience, are available by calling Place des Arts at 604-664-1636 or visiting impromptugala.ca. There will be no ticket sales at the door.
PRIZES GALORE
Raffle: $1,000 shopping spree for two at Coquitlam Centre mall (draw at 9:45 p.m.)
Live auction: Trip to Jasper (VIA Rail, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge); ballet evening (Browns Socialhouse, Ballet BC, The Listel); Washington State and baseball game (Quinault Beach Resort, Seattle Mariners); The Drive and dinner with Michael Fera
Silent auction: Rafting retreat (Canadian Outback Adventures, Hilton Whistler Resort); sports lover (BC Lions, Vancouver Canadians); camping gear (Canadian Tire); opera night (Joey Coquitlam, Vancouver Opera)
