A couple of times a year, the Red Apple Auctions team works a gala that has booked headline entertainment as part of its show. One of those events is the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) gala, one of Washington, DC’s top fundraising events.
This year the organization announced that over $1 million was raised. Among other things, that means that a lot of children in DC’s public schools will have access to an arts education.
I like to say, a bit tongue-in-cheek, that Red Apple Auctions serves as the “opening act” for these performers.
As I see it, we’re on stage conducting the live auction, then the headline entertainment takes the stage, and then a dance band wraps up the night. Doesn’t that qualify us as the “opening act?” 😉
The live auction is exciting, people are donating thousands of dollars, the crowd is boisterous, and the energy of the room is raised. A good live auction is entertaining; it warms up the crowd and prepares them for your headliner.
Now in reality, most benefits in America are not booking headline entertainment. So for those of you who aren’t planning these granddaddy events or don’t have the opportunity to attend a charity auction of this scale, I thought you’d enjoy seeing some of the staging and production design. I dug up these two short videos … enjoy!
As a sidebar, I’ll mention that WPAS does many things correctly, like not scheduling the headline entertainment before the live auction.
2011 WPAS Gala: Roberta Flack
Yes, Roberta sounded great. But what made me do a double-take was the length of the saxophone player’s hair.
Impressive, eh?! How much do you think it weighs?
2010 WPAS Gala: Chita Rivera
This gal was unbelievable! She’s in her 70’s and still such the performer. All of us were inspired by her energy. She told cute stories (like this one about the movie Chicago), danced and sang.
You’ll enjoy this fun clip, and then tell me what YOU think about entertainment at a charity auction in the comment section below.
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