Valley Voices Gala to feature various musical acts
<p>The Valley Voices Gala on Sunday, May 22, will feature performances by Rob Quist, Andre Floyd, Tra le Gael and the Luke O'Connell Band. Doors open at 2 p.m. at the Glacier High School Performance Hall, and the performances will begin at 3 p.m.</p>
The road to New York is a long one, and the Valley Voices Community Choir, selected to represent Montana at a Carnegie Hall concert in November, is in the middle of a fundraising effort to get there.
Valley Voices was invited last year by Distinguished Concerts International New York to participate in the Carnegie Hall event, set for Nov. 27. The concert will feature choirs from 10 countries and more than 200 singers.
“Just to be invited is an honor by itself,” said Wilene Bridger, an alto in the choir and member of the special fundraising committee. “We are excited to be able to serve as Montana ambassadors.”
The group estimates that expenses for the 40 singers who have committed to the trip will be around $100,000. In an effort to meet its fundraising goal, the Valley Voices are hosting a benefit show this weekend.
The Valley Voices Gala on Sunday, May 22, at 3 p.m. will feature performances by Rob Quist, Andre Floyd, the Luke O’Connell Band and Tra le Gael. Radio personality Leah Lindsey will serve as the Master of Ceremonies, and Tracy Finn will be the auctioneer.
“This will be a great event,” said Jonah Libsack-Maynard, who also sings alto and serves as a member of the fundraising committee. “It’s a chance for people to see all of these musicians at one place, on one stage.”
The Gala, to be held in the Glacier High School Performance Hall, will also feature live and silent auctions, raffle drawings, door prizes and refreshments. Audience members will have a chance to bid on and win golf packages, artwork, a skiing trip, and much more.
“We are extremely grateful to the bands and musicians who have volunteered their time and talents,” Bridger said.
“We are also so thankful to all our gracious local merchants who donated for this event,” Libsack-Maynard added.
Tickets for Sunday’s Gala are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. All proceeds will go directly to the Carnegie Hall trip fund.
Advance tickets are available at Flathead Video/Hollywood-to-Go in Bigfork, the Bookshelf in Kalispell, and all Super 1 Foods throughout the valley. Advance ticket sales will end late Saturday afternoon, with leftover tickets available at the door Sunday. Doors at Glacier High School open Sunday at 2 p.m.
Cash, check and credit is accepted for all ticket sales and donations.
The Valley Voices Community Choir is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Anyone who would like to donate to the Carnegie Hall trip fund can visit www.gofundme.com/hpq3un2c to make an online donation, or call Noreen Wood, fundraising coordinator, at 406-871-7347.
For more information on the Valley Voices or the Gala event, go to www.Facebook.com and “like” the Valley Voices Community Choir, visit www.valleyvoiceschoir.com or call 406-871-7347.
Entertainment editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.