Press Releases

Annual Gala to Honor John Newman & Kevin Sarte, Manasquan Elks Lodge 2534 and Jill Dargeon

EVENT INFORMATION
What:
That 70s Gala Featuring Village People

Date:
Thursday, June 5 (Pre-Show Events Begin at 5 p.m. for top level tickets; 7 p.m. for all others)

Location:
Algonquin Arts Theatre
173 Main Street, Manasquan, N.J.

Tickets (Prices Increase After May 15):
All Access VIP: $175
Premium Dinner: $150
Preferred: $75
Performance: $50

Information:
Call 732-528-9211 or visit algonquinarts.org/gala

DOWNLOAD IMAGE:
Village People (Courtesy of Village People):
http://www.algonquinarts.org/cc/Village_People_300dpi.jpg

MANASQUAN, N.J. (April 7, 2014) ��� Algonquin Arts Theatre formally launched its annual gala last Thursday at Spring Lake's Essex & Sussex with a Kickoff Cocktail Reception full of retro touches, most notably a surprise appearance by two members of this year's gala headliner, the Kings of Disco, Village People.

The June 5 gala, officially "That 70s Gala featuring Village People," honors Manasquan Elks Lodge 2534 (Community Service Award), John Newman & Kevin Sarte (Humanitarian Award) and Jill Dargeon (Arts Education Award). The 2014 Gala chairs are Randy Kornberg of PNC Wealth Management in Red Bank and Michael Sinneck, and Dara Brown, an anchor and senior producer for NBC's family of networks, returns to serve as emcee.

Village People's Biker, Eric Anzalone, and Construction Worker, Bill Whitefield, were in attendance for the kickoff and will be joined at June's gala by the rest of the iconic group; The Native American, The Soldier, The Cowboy and The Cop. Whitefield, who joined the group full time last year when long-time Construction Worker David Hodo retired, also serves as Algonquin Arts Theatre's Executive Director.

The largest annual fundraiser for Algonquin Arts Theatre, the annual gala supports the theatre's main stage and educationally programming that allows it to enrich community life. The event includes a silent auction, multiple live auctions, a super 50/50 raffle and a dine around raffle.

Before May 15, discounted tickets for the event are available ranging in price from $50 to $175. Prices will increase to $55 to $195 after that date. Top level tickets include fine dining at either Blend on Main or Remington's as well as a post-show reception with Village People. To order or for more information call 732-528-9211 or visit algonquinarts.org/gala. The gala will include raffles, a silent auction, live auctions and much more!

Selling more than 100 million recordings, Village People were an instant phenomenon in the 1970s and 1980s with hits "San Francisco," "In Hollywood," "Macho Man," "YMCA," "In the Navy," "Can't Stop the Music" and more. They continue to perform around the world to this day and just last summer released a new single to their show: "Let's Go Back to the Dance Floor."

The 2014 Humanitarian Award goes to Wall residents John Newman and Kevin Sarte, owners of Bouquets to Remember in Manasquan, for their commitment to the Algonquin and the Manasquan community.

Manasquan Elks Lodge 2534 receives the 2014 Community Service Award for their charitable and service work in the community and for their long history of supporting the theatre.

Jill Dargeon of Brick � formerly of Sea Girt � will be presented with the Education Award as a true ambassador of the theatre who supports our mission of life-long education by bringing hundreds of patrons to the theatre.

Sponsors that have already signed on to support the gala include Maria Zito-Kaufman & Simon Kaufman, Esq., PNC Wealth Management, Mary Higgins Clark, Manasquan Savings Bank, Roosevelt Investments, UBS - Joseph Higgins, Bob and Linda Daleo, George and Ruth Harms Foundation, Janice Blanton, Brook 35 & 36, Spirit of �76 Wines and Liquors, Aculabs, Affiliated Direct Mail, Bouquets to Remember, Brian�s Auto Center, Diane Turton Realtors, Peter A. Flihan, Jr. and Linda P. Hejduk, Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, Holman, Frenia, Allison, P.C. , Mona and John Kirk, NaturaLawn of America - David and Gayle Donnelly, Michael and Eileen Sinneck, 71 Central Liquors, Orender Family Home for Funerals and Solari Creative.

Sponsorships and journal ads are being sold, and items are also being collected for the live and silent auctions. Call the Algonquin development office at 732-528-4336 for information on how you can contribute or go online and download a form at algonquinarts.org/gala.

About Algonquin Arts Theatre:

Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission to provide cultural enhancement and arts education to all audiences at the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, film and dance. The end goal is to foster appreciation of the arts and promote lifelong learning, particularly among underserved audiences including the economically disadvantaged, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; by funds from the Paul F. Zito, M.D. Educational Foundation, by Simon Kaufman, Esq. & Maria Zito-Kaufman and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.