Over the next few months, the Concord City Auditorium, more famously known as The Audi, will be home to theater, dance, music and talks.
Take a look down the schedule, and there’s so much to choose from. If only there was a way to preview some of the shows?
Well, actually there is. It’s called the Season Opening Gala and it just so happens to be on Sunday. This will be the 26th year the Friends of the Audi have thrown a little get together to celebrate the start of another season. So most of you probably already know about it or just read about it in that envelope full of info you got in the mail – courtesy of the Friends.
But in case you don’t know about it or don’t read your mail – only free newspapers – we wanted to make sure you were in the know.
The gala begins at 7, but starting at 6, the Audi Arts Party will take over the back parking lot. It will basically be a place where all the groups that will be performing that night can set up shop with all their info. Oh yeah, and Arnie’s Place will be dishing out free ice cream scoops. Yes, we said free ice cream.
At 7 p.m., take a seat for what will prove to be an entertaining 90 minutes. Each of the 17 groups performing get three to five minutes to give the crowd a little tease of what’s to come.
“It’s just a small glimpse of it,” said gala producer David Murdo. “The nice thing with the gala is that it starts at 7 and it’s nonstop, no intermission.”
Some of the performers include the Concord Coachmen, the Community Players of Concord, the Freese Brothers Big Band, Piccola Opera, the Audi Jingle Singers and a lot more. We know, it’s hard to contain our excitement too.
“We have a good variety,” Murdo said.
The groups rehearse for a few hours in the afternoon leading up to the show, but there’s not enough time for a complete run through.
Although when you’re sitting in your seat, which will be replaced in the near future thanks to the seat project, the beneficiary of the gala’s proceeds, you will have never guessed the show was put together that day.
“When the curtain goes up at 7, that’s the first time it’s been put on,” Murdo said. “But it looks like a show that’s been in rehearsal for months.”
The famous Audi Gopher – the mascot for the seat project – will even make a special guest appearance.
It’s only $5 to get in and it helps plan your theater social calendar for the rest of the year. Now that’s the definition of a win-win.
“It’s a very inexpensive night,” Murdo said.
For an additional $1, you can buy a raffle ticket. For $5, you can get six, for a chance to win one of 10 mugs loaded with local restaurant gift certificates and Audi show tickets, valued at about $350 each. Talk about a score.
“I think what attracts people to (the gala) is that it’s not just a performance,” Murdo said.
Tickets to the gala are available at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S Main St.), The UPS Store (75 S Main St.) and at the door.
For more info, visit concordcityauditorium.org/shows/gala or email nhdm40@comcast.net.
