Manhattan by Moonlight Gala

Can’t make it to New York this spring?

Can’t make it to New York this spring? Mark your calendar for April 18 and make plans to attend Manhattan by Moonlight instead. You’ll enjoy a wonderful evening of musical entertainment by The Bop Cats, dancing under the stars, and a dinner catered by Orr Nalp of Just Catering by Orr.

Hosted by the Arts and Humanities Council of Owasso (AHCO), this benefit is in its sixth year, and they are anticipating record-breaking attendance. Held at Owasso’s Old Central, this night of fun is the primary fundraiser for AHCO and very important to the mission of providing art and cultural entertainment for area residents.

Commonly known as the Timmy and Cindy gala, the event offers an opportunity to support AHCO and participate in live and silent auctions with great prizes. Past auction items have included trips and lodging, boutique items, jewelry, and home décor. FOX23’s Chera Kimiko will once again serve as emcee. 

AHCO sponsors the free Art In The Park summer concert series, summer arts programs for children, art baskets for Owasso Head Start, local murder mystery dinners, and support for the Owasso Band Drum Corp. They recently helped the Owasso High School jazz singers take a trip to New York City, where they were able to sing in the legendary Carnegie Hall.

President Kristi Gatton notes that some of the most important work done by the AHCO is providing musical instruments and art supplies for a variety of recipients, including the Owasso Baptist Children’s Home, the Owasso Community Resources Angel Tree, and Chik-fil-A’s Santa Cow Day. “One of the things we are very excited about is the grants we have been able to donate to local teachers and projects this past year. It totaled over $10,000 and really met a need in the community,” said Gatton.

Pat Simmons serves as vice president of AHCO and explains that our elementary schools have no formal art programs. State testing, however, includes certain music skills and art knowledge. “Teachers come up with their own art ideas, and many of them spend their own money for supplies because the budget simply isn’t there,” said Simmons. Gatton adds that the needs are real. “We recently replaced headsets for a teacher who was using equipment that was about 20 years old and in various states of disrepair. It is a constant challenge to stay up with needs, and we hope the community will support us again this year, in spite of the economy.”

Tax-deductible table sponsorships are available for the Manhattan by Moonlight gala. A $1,000 table will seat 8, while both the $1,500 and $2,000 tables will seat 10. Individual tickets may be purchased for $75. The Arts and Humanities Council of Owasso is a 501(c)3 group and is operated by a working board of volunteers, assuring that 100 percent of the funding goes back into the Owasso community. “We are so grateful for the past support of the community,” said Simmons. “We want them to know we appreciate them and are very careful with money donated.”

Donations of auction items are being coordinated through Kristi Gatton, who can be reached at (918) 691-4590. Stacy Spriggs is handling table sponsorships and individual ticket sales, and her contact number is (918) 408-0809. Tickets may also be obtained by mail. Send payments to “Timmy and Cindy Gala,” P.O. Box 2104, Owasso, OK 74055. Visa and MasterCard are accepted, as well as checks.

For more information, contact

Arts and Humanities Council of Owasso

(918) 408-0809

www.owassoarts.com