File Photo
Are you feeling lucky? If so, now’s the perfect time to support our local concert and performing arts facility as it hosts a fun money casino fundraiser.
The Vic Juba Community Theatre will turn into little Las Vegas on May 11 as funds are raised to support upgrades to the building as well as a lighting replacement project in the audience chambers.
“This casino is all going to take place on-stage and backstage, so it’s a bit of a VIP look at the inner workings of the theatre,” said the theatre’s general manager Jen McConnell.
“Each of the 13 gaming tables will be spread out throughout the Black Box Theatre, the dressing rooms, the stage, that kind of thing.”
Tickets for the event are $100, which gets attendees $1,500 in chips to play the tables and a free drink. Food will also be served throughout the evening.
“If you don’t know how to play Craps or you don’t know the exact rules of Blackjack, this is a great way to learn and have a good time with it,” said McConnell.
“We’re partnered with the Gold Horse Casino, and they’re going to be coming and doing opening remarks at the beginning of the night when we’re explaining what folks can expect.”
The fun starts at 6 p.m. with gameplay wrapping up around 9 p.m. Players are then encouraged to cash in their chips and use that money to bid on live auction items.
“Some of the live auction items include things like Vic Juba Community Theatre VIP experiences, so people can bid on experiences to upcoming shows,” she said. “There’s a few of those, but we also have corporate sponsorships for all of the game tables as well as silent auction donations.
“One of those silent auction items is an estate-planning kit from Fox Wakefield Lawyers,” she said. “Bids for silent auction items will be made using real money.”
After 21 years of operation with very few upgrades since opening the doors, McConnell explained the need for new equipment is now.
We’re working through a pretty extensive list of things that need to be replaced from the past 21 years of operation,” she said.
“We just secured the replacement for our sound system, which was a huge piece, and the biggest project we have after the sound system is the lighting, and that’s mainly to be more energy efficient and to replace things that are past their life expectancy.”
McConnell said the theatre is hoping the event brings in roughly $20,000 to kickstart the lighting upgrades.
The theatre’s calendar is also busier than ever with 24 events happening within the H.A. McDonald season.
“On Oct. 19 we have Bear Grease, which is a First Nations’ spin on Grease the musical, and that’s really cool,” she said.
“Burton Cummings is coming June 6, we also have an unconventional medium, Jennie Ogilvie, coming on Nov. 1 … we have Quick Dick McDick coming with a comedy tour on Nov. 4, and we also have the Crank it Up Cabaret with Brett Kissel.”
For tickets and more info, visit www.vicjubatheatre.ca/fun.
