Fundraisers set for Arts Center Task Force, Academy of Children’s Theatre

Erika Zink and Candice Jones were part of a group that traveled to Seattle each year for a masquerade ball.

It was a fun party, a great time. They wished the Tri-Cities had a similar event.

Now, it does — thanks to them.

Zink, Jones and some other friends formed Mystic Party Solutions and started throwing an annual masquerade party of their own.

Their event raises money for the Arts Center Task Force, which has plans to build an 800-seat theater and visual arts center in Kennewick.

This year’s Mystic Masquerade is at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Uptown Theatre in Richland. The theme is, “wild west steampunk.”

Tickets are $99 and include admission, appetizers, access to a saloon gambling area, a goodie bag, a free drink and more. A cash bar will be available.

Mid-Columbia Ballet, Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre and the Mid-Columbia Symphony will perform, along with Urban Poets Society and BareNaked Bellies.

“It’s not your traditional performance event, it’s more of a variety show,” Zink said.

“We want people to experience what the local performing arts has to offer,” Jones said.

The event is for people 21 and older.

Steampunk costumes are welcome, but they’re not required. Attendees are asked to wear a mask or they can have their face painted for free at the masquerade.

Tickets are on sale now at mysticpartysolutions.com.

Academy of Children’s Theatre luncheon

Academy of Children’s Theatre in Richland also has a fundraiser in the works, as part of its campaign to add a 300-seat theater to its existing facility on Wellsian Way.

The 2017 Take ACTion Luncheon is noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 21 at CG Public House in Kennewick.

Minimum donation is $100. To sign up, email info@actstaff.org.

This story was originally published August 19, 2017 at 12:23 PM with the headline "Fundraisers set for Arts Center Task Force, Academy of Children’s Theatre."