St. John’s Gala to pay tribute to Sinatra on Valentine’s Day
“Sinatra, An Evening With Ol’ Blue Eyes” is the benefit gala’s theme for St. John the Baptist Catholic School on Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Von Braun Center’s North Hall. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – Frank Sinatra’s stylized crooning will fill the Von Braun Center’s North Hall for the 16th annual St. John the Baptist Catholic School Benefit Gala on Feb. 14.
“Sinatra, An Evening With Ol’ Blue Eyes” will open at 6 p.m. with a performance by Peter Oprisko, a nationally recognized expert on Sinatra’s music legacy. Greg Screws with WHNT 19 News will be master of ceremonies.
“We are thrilled to host the gala on Valentine’s Day. Romantic music was a natural fit,” Lisa Leide said. Leide and Rachel Landers are gala co-chairpersons.
As the school’s primary fundraiser, the gala allows parents and guests from Madison and Huntsville “to come together and enjoy an elegant evening with something for everyone,” Landers said.
“You’ve never had so much fun doing so much good for kids,” Leide said. “Classic games, like bingo and heads-or-tails, give even the novice player a chance at the action.”
The dinner menu offers burgundy beef sirloin, honey almond chicken or Vegetable Wellington; mashed potatoes; green beans almondine; and lemon cake or tiramisu, along with beer, craft beer and wine. A cash bar will be available.
The silent auction viewing begins at 5:30 with merchandise donated by St. John families and local businesses. Guests can bid on themed baskets, jewelry, landscaping, Crimson Tide football tickets, Gulf Coast vacation rentals, a vacation to Mexico, an iPad mini, American Girl Doll … even a full set of braces, Leide said.
In addition, the gala will include a live auction.
Oprisko has performed nationwide. He will sing the best of Sinatra and the Rat Pack.
At 10:15 p.m., the fundraising concludes with the $10,000 grand prize drawing. Then, DJ Jazzy Greg Thompson will lead the fun in after-party music and dancing.
Proceeds will benefit “the faith formation, as well as academics, arts, sports programs and technology upgrades at St. John’s Catholic School,” Landers said.
Tickets are $75. Raffle tickets for the $10,000 grand prize are $50 each. For more information, call 256-508-7595, email to chairs@benefitgala.info or visit benefitgala.info.
