A Paddle Auction And Performance By Broadway's Brian Stokes Mitchell Raise Funds For The Mahaiwe

Submitted by The Mahaiwe.

Two-time Tony Award winner and entertainment community legend Brian Stokes Mitchell elated a full house at the historic Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington on Saturday, July 15 at the theater's annual Gala fundraiser. Accompanied by his trio, including pianist Ted Firth, bassist Paul Beaudry, and drummer Clint de Ganon,, Stokes shared anecdotes, and wove songs from his Broadway career with standards and even a Brazilian pop favorite, all designed to elicit joy. He ended the evening by expressing gratitude to all who support the performing arts and bring people closer together. Chaired by Mahaiwe Board Co-Vice-Chair Allison Wintner, with Honorary Chair and Board member Abby Schroeder, the Gala began under (miraculously, for that week) sunny skies, with cocktail music by the Michael Junkins Group and a dinner catered by Peter Platt of Old Inn on the Green. Guests under the dinner tent bid on donated auction items and raised their paddles for a total of more than $100,000 to help the Mahaiwe meet a matching Cultural Facilities Fund grant from MassDevelopment and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The evening's proceeds fund the Mahiawe's year-round programming and kick-off a two-year effort to replace the theater's 1905 slate shingles, repaint the decorative eaves, and repoint the historic chimney.