The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (FLMTF) has announced its 2017 Festival Fundraiser: “Swing into Summer” to be held on Saturday, June 3. The “Guys and Dolls” themed event will officially launch the 2017 season and also feature the announcement of the 2017 Thommie Walsh Scholarship Fund recipient.
The 2017 Festival Fundraiser: “Swing into Summer” is an outdoor event to be held at the home of Mary and George Cuthbert on Saturday, June 3 from 6-9 p.m. The fundraiser is a 1950s-themed event inspired by FLMTF’s 2017 season opener, “Guys and Dolls,” which runs June 7-28 at The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. Headlining the event is the Rochester-based high energy party band, Nik and the Nice Guys. In addition to the live music, the event will include 1950s cocktails, dancing, casino tables, dinner stations, a cigar and whiskey bar, and more. Guests are welcome to dress in the theme of the event.
“Thanks to our friends Mary and George Cuthbert as well as Bob and Julie Simmons, this will be a party to remember,” said Brett Smock, producing artistic director of FLMTF. “What better way to kick off the dynamic 2017 season than to bring the community together to celebrate the arts and our commitment to entertainment and education. Come support the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival / Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and usher in the season with style.”
Also featured at the fundraiser will be the announcement of the 2017 recipient of the Thommie Walsh Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund, which was launched at the 2016 Festival Fundraiser, was created to aid students in Cayuga County pursuing a college degree and career in musical theatre. For each ticket sold to the annual Festival Fundraiser, a portion is set aside as a donation to the Scholarship Fund. The Festival also accepts additional donations to the scholarship fund. Thommie Walsh was an Auburn native and an accomplished actor, choreographer and director. His illustrious choreography and directing career led him to win multiple honors including Tony and Drama Desk Awards. Walsh passed away in 2007.
Tickets to the event as well as table sponsorships are available now. Reservations are to be made by May 26. For more information or to purchase event tickets or make a Scholarship Fund donation, visit: www.FestivalGala.com.
About the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival/Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Inc.:
Headquartered in Auburn, NY, the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is a dynamic arts organization committed to creating theatrical experiences at the highest levels of artistic integrity. It leverages the power of the arts as a tool for entertainment, education, social awareness and cultural development in its community and in the region. The Festival is situated in the picturesque Finger Lakes wine region of Central New York. Four hours from NYC and situated between Syracuse, Rochester and Ithaca, the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is one of the largest producing musical theatre organizations in New York State, outside of New York City.
