The Hopkinton Center for the Arts will be celebrating self-acceptance and self-expression through the arts as it hosts its fifth annual fundraising gala.
The gala, which will be held at HCA’s Delbridge Performing Arts Center from 7-11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, is the center’s largest fundraiser and supports the center’s mission of “fostering the creative spirit in everyone.”
This year’s gala will be themed “This is Me,” which is based on a song from the hit stage musical “The Greatest Showman.”
“It’s about how people who have encountered obstacles in their life were able to use their art form — visual arts, dance, music — to help them overcome and show themselves through their art,” HCA co-director Kelly Grill said of the choice of this year’s theme.
The theme will be on full display throughout the hall, with self-portraits hanging on the walls, pictures of students who have taken classes at the HCA, and even a fun magic mirror so attendees can see themselves from a different angle.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Grill. “Great music, wonderful food and incredible raffle prizes.”
The gala will feature live music from the band Night Rhythm, food from MetroWest Catering and an open bar. There will be a live auction where attendees can bid on everything from tickets to Broadway shows to a vacation in Tuscany. Raffle prizes will include a number of experiences such as Swan Boat rides in Boston, Blue Man Group tickets and free weeks of camp at the YMCA.
“We will have our very popular wine pull,” Grill said of the raffle offerings. “You can go home with a $15 bottle of wine or a $45 bottle of wine, all for the cost of the ticket.”
Grill said that this year’s event will be about the “incredible” stories that Grill, fellow co-director Kris Waldman and the HCA teachers hear every day from students or parents about the transformation that comes over someone as they discover a new talent and appreciation for an art form.
“That is the magic of this place,” she said. “It’s a way for people to show themselves to the world, and we wanted to share that with everyone.”
Over the past four years, the HCA has been able to raise more than $200,000 through the gala fundraiser, which is not only used as a source of operational funds but also allows the HCA to provide concerts and programs free of charge for the community and to offer scholarships to children, teens and adults who might not otherwise be able to afford classes.
“It is really a wonderful celebration of arts in the community,” Grill said.
Gala tickets can be purchased for $100 each (or $600 for a group of eight) at the HCA or online at hopartscenter.org. Black and white party attire is suggested.
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