SCRAP Tri-Cities’ Rebel Craft Rumble promises creative good time

SCRAP Tri-Cities has been around almost exactly a year.

And its first big fundraiser is set to be as innovative as the place itself.

The creative reuse center’s Rebel Craft Rumble is planned April 1 at the Uptown Theatre in Richland.

It was inspired by similar fundraisers held by other SCRAP locations.

“It sounded like too much fun not to do,” said Rachael Gale, who runs the Kennewick center with co-director Chrissa Terrel.

With the event, for people 21-and-older, “we wanted to have a space where adults could be silly and have fun and not feel weird about it, which we don’t get a whole lot of in life,” Terrel said. She added that the craft rumble lines up perfectly with SCRAP’s mission of sustainability.

Since it opened, the center has been responsible for diverting almost 8,000 pounds of materials from landfills, Terrel and Gale said.

The fundraiser is set to be something of a mash-up of Iron Chef, Project Runway and Chopped.

Four teams of artists and crafters will face-off to be named the Extreme Ultimate Supreme Craft Master. They’ll complete surprise craft challenges with reused materials.

Audience members will be able to get in on the fun by buying “helps” or “hindrances” for the teams. That could mean, for example, an extra roll of duct tape as a help, or a requirement that the team craft while blindfolded as a hindrance.

Sena Clara Creston, Tim Leingang and Amy Hanson have been enlisted as judges, and comedian Emily Richman will serve as host.

A “Fools Fashion Costume Contest” for the audience also is planned, with people encouraged to be “as weird as you want to be,” Gale said.

Paper Street Brewing Co. in Richland is donating beer, and Prosser-based Hogue Cellars is providing wine.

Kindra’s Wok ‘N Roll and Jiggy’s will be on hand selling food, and Richard Powelson will deejay.

The event’s main sponsors are Mid-Columbia Libraries and Meier Architecture.

Attendees will also get a discount on entry to the show that night at Emerald of Siam next door. The Portland band Hillstomp is set to play at 9 p.m.

SCRAP Tri-Cities, part of the nonprofit SCRAP USA network, sells art, craft and office supplies.

The prices are affordable because overhead is low, with donated inventory and a corps of volunteers to help keep the place running.

The center also has a gallery and a “reboutique,” with handcrafted items made largely from reused material.

SCRAP Tri-Cities opened in downtown Kennewick last May.

Craft classes are offered, and Terrel and Gale are working on an education program.

They anticipate making the Rebel Craft Rumble an annual event. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the show. VIP tables featuring up-front seating for eight people are available for $200 and also include a complimentary drink ticket for each guest. Sponsorship tables are available for $500.

For individual tickets and VIP tables, go to www.scraptri-cities.org or stop by the store at 323 W. First Ave. between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

For sponsorship information, call 509-947-1379 or email chrissa@scraptri-cities.org.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 11:40 PM with the headline "SCRAP Tri-Cities’ Rebel Craft Rumble promises creative good time."