There will be stars galore at Carvings for a Cause’s “Premier Night” – a fundraising event held next Wednesday, June 18 at the Town Ballroom from 6:00 to 10PM. As with any of Therese Forton-Barnes’ events, the party will be an extravaganza of the senses and will certainly be one discussed around the watercooler for weeks to come.
In keeping with the “Premier Night” theme, attendees will feel like Brad & Angelina while walking up to the Town Ballroom on a red carpet. Before entering the venue, guests will stroll through a gauntlet of paparazzi, and might even be interviewed by two hilarious fashion commentators…so you might want to have an answer to the question: “Who are you wearing tonight?” Like the Hollywood Walk-of-Fame, the Ballroom’s floors will be adorned with star cutouts honoring the carvings and the sponsors who assisted the project. As with most of Therese’s parties, the event will certainly attract Buffalo’s celebrities, including members of the Sabres and Bills, adding to the star power of the event.
All of this, even before you have a chance to grab your first cocktail, or check out the numerous other activities that will make up the festive night.
“The event started out as a little party to celebrate the premier of Canisius College’s documentary,” said Therese Forton-Barnes, organizer of Carvings for a Cause. “Playing off the ‘Premier’ theme, the scope of the party expanded to include a myriad of activities and performances. Our ultimate goal is to raise some much needed dollars to this great project, so hopefully everyone can play a starring role in enhancing our community.”
The Canisius College Video Institute will premiere its Carving for a Cause documentary film to kick off the event. The carvings will “come to life” as a theatre troupe acts out the roles of the various historical carvings figures, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Ben Franklin, Frederick Law Olmsted, and Teressa Bellisimo. An auction featuring tree, wood, nature and environment related items, including wood bowls, carvings, photos of nature and more will be available, live music will be performed by Heard of Buffalo, and a food tasting from area restaurants including Ambrosia, Grille 620, JP Bullfeathers, Nektar, Tempo and “The Wing King” Drew Cerza will highlight the night.
Monies raised from this event will go towards assisting Phase II of the project, which includes a Cause Tree Sculpture Park, a map & guide, audio tour, transporting and storage of the trees, and future maintenance.
Carvings organizer Therese Forton-Barnes’ inspirational idea transformed fallen trees from the October 2006 storm into 8 foot-tall wood carvings of famous individuals in Western New York’s history. Sponsorships were sought for each carving, with the proceeds eventually going toward a reforestation effort. The project not only benefitted Buffalo by leaving a 25-piece art trail in its wake, but garnered tons of national publicity, including stories in The New York Times, USA Today and Monday Night Football.
Tickets to the Carvings for a Cause fundraiser are $40 at the door or $30 presale, available at J.P. Bullfeathers, Grille 620 at the Holiday Inn on Delaware, at the Town Ballroom box office and at tickets.com. For more information on this event and Carvings for a Cause, visit www.carvingsforacause.com.
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