Rialto Gala: A Red Letter Event
The Rialto’s fundraiser helps the non-profit to continue to host live music from touring and local bands, along with other community events.
Pictured: Devo performing at the Rialto to a packed house last May.
photo: Mark Martinez
Tucson’s beloved music venue the Rialto Theatre is throwing their second annual fundraiser – the Rialto Gala: A Red Letter Event – on Saturday, Feb. 15. The evening features music from the 1960s era of Motown and pop provided by the Phoenix-based cover band 60s Bandstand Show, food and beverage tastings provided by Downtown restaurants and an auction to raise money for the non-profit music venue.
“There will be great food from a dozen Downtown restaurants, great music that attendees will know and love, wine and beer sampling, some super cool silent auction items, special guest speakers, and quality hosting from Dan Marries of KOLD,” explains Rialto’s Executive Director Curtis McCrary. “I was amazed at all the effort put forth by our entire board and staff for last year’s gala. It was a tremendous success due to this diligence, and because of the robust support we got from the community and our sponsors.”
This year’s auction will feature many exciting items ranging from $20-$800 including a nice pair of tickets to the final University of Arizona men’s basketball game, a variety of Wildcat memorabilia, autographed items, one of a kind sculptures, rooms at Ventana Canyon Resort, Rialto ticket packages (including a pair of tickets to every show for a year), original local art, gift baskets and gift certificates from local Tucson businesses and restaurants and much more.
“Tucson is a fantastic community for many reasons but one of the most important is the incredible array of mostly small, independent organizations and individuals that make up the cultural fabric of our town,” says McCrary. “And those organizations need support and patronage from the greater community to keep doing what they do, and it’s a testament to Tucson that so many entities can be sustained in this way. We like to think we are a meaningful part of that fabric, and of course we’d like to keep bringing great live music and performance to Tucson. The support we receive from patrons, members, donors and sponsors make it all possible.”
The food and beverage tasting begins at 7 p.m. and the music and dancing will continue throughout the evening. Tickets are $75 a person and can be purchased at the Rialto box office, by phone or at any Bookmans location. While 60s themed attire is encouraged it is not required.
The Rialto Theatre is located at 318 E. Congress St. For more information, call (520) 740-1000 or visit RialtoTheatre.com
Category: Community, DOWNTOWN / UNIVERSITY / 4TH AVE, Events, MUSIC
