A Phantastic fundraiser
Downtown gala this Saturday
_BY EVAN _WILLIAMS ewilliams@florida-weekly.com
Beautiful, young Opera singers named Christine, beware.
The tortured, deformed musical genius "Erik," of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera" is coming to terrorize (and help raise money for) the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers, on Saturday, Nov. 3.
It's called "The Phantom of the Art Center Gala," the third yearly fundraiser the Art Center has held, director and Juilliard graduate Jim Griffith said. The gala's goal is to help raise the last $1.6 million, of the $4.6 million deemed necessary to transform the old Federal Courthouse (and before that, the Post Office) on First Street into a mecca for local and international gallery shows, musical and theatre performances from all over the world, and other arts programs.
"We've sold a tremendous amount of tickets," Griffith said. "We're very pleased by the support."
Tickets are available online at phantom2007. com or call the arts center at 239-337-1933. Tickets are $100 for arts center members or $125 for the public or future members. Adult memberships to
the Art Center are $50 per
person, and $25 dollars for students. Tickets will also be for sale on the night of the event, at the entrance to the gala on First Street.
"If there are any left," Michele Patrick, director of marketing, said. "But I think there are still plenty of tickets available."
The evening begins at 6 p.m., with an official grand opening ceremony, and unveiling of the building's new artistic identity. At 6:30, the "phantom" will invite guests inside, where food and drink will be provided by downtown restaurants and nightclubs, including Harold¹s on Bay, Delicious Things, the Veranda, Level, and Neo. At 7, Broadway performers will do vignettes from "Phantom of the Opera," featuring the musical's main characters: The Phantom ("Erik"), Christine (the object of the Phantom's obsession), and Christine's childhood sweetheart, Raoul.
"We're recreating the Paris Opera House," Patrick said; Eventz, Inc. is handling interior design. "They have promised us incredible décor, something no one's ever seen before…It will happen all around you."
At 7:30, the "Light of Nights Auction," will take place: money, skills, and materials will be "auctioned off" to aid in the Art Center restoration.
And at 8, the "phantom band" (also known as local group "Alter-Ego") will begin rocking out, and play on into the dark, deep night.
Attendees may also search for a bejeweled recreation of the Phantom's mask, designed by internationally recognized jeweler and designer, Mark Loren. It's made of 14 carat gold, studded with red and black diamonds.
"We've had a lot of good guesses, but no one's found it," Griffith said. "Even [Dave Rash, the superintendent of construction on the Art Center], he's been looking for it."
Rash said the restoration has been "a challenge.
"But we've succeeded. I'm glad to be a part of it."
Further renovations to the charismatic old building, what Griffith calls "phase two," include a grand marble staircase, granite floors, restored entrances, lobbies, and the upstairs.
"People always said that the building was haunted," Patrick said, explaining why the Phantom became the theme of the fundraiser. "People at night would tell us they saw apparitions and stuff."
