Blast from the Past: Gala to support student scholarships

Idaho State University is bringing back the Roaring Twenties this New Year’s Eve.

Local people have the chance to wine, dine and enjoy first rate entertainment from the era of “The Great Gatsby,” at the 2013-14 New Year’s Eve Gala. And it’s all to benefit students at Idaho State University.

The event is being put on by the College of Arts and Letters and is an opportunity for the community to show their support and appreciation for the talents of the students and faculty of ISU. All proceeds will go to scholarships for the Visual and Performing Arts students.

The Gala will be held at the Stephens Performing Arts Center. Doors will open at

6:30 p.m. The festivities will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and will go through the New Year. Formal dress is required. Guests may also wear period clothing from the ‘20s if they choose to do so.

The College of Arts and Letters is the largest college at ISU and is home to the only school of performing arts in the state. The magnificent Stephens Performing Arts Center houses several venues tailor-made for showcasing those arts: the Jensen Grand Concert Hall, the Bistline Thrust Theatre, the Rogers Black Box Theatre and the Marshall Rotunda.

A string quartet will set the mood in the rotunda. Afterward, welcoming concert music will be showcased in the Jensen Grand Concert Hall.  Various musical groups will be performing throughout the evening.

In the Rogers Black Box Theatre, art and photography students will be showcasing some of their original work and fans of the stage should not miss the theatre department’s vignette presentations in the Bistline Theatre. Closer to midnight, swing-dancers from the ISU dance department will show off some moves to big band music provided by the headlining ISU jazz band, directed by Pat Brooks.

To top it off, there will even be valet parking as guests arrive at the Stephens Performing Arts Center, and champagne at midnight as everyone joins in singing “Auld Lang Syne.”

Flowers by LD will decorate the event with fabrics and floral arrangements, completing the 1920s setting.

Chartwell’s will provide food and non-alcoholic drinks, while wine and champagne will be provided by Hayden Beverage.

Tickets are $150 per person. Those interested can purchase tickets by contacting Gretchen Jensen at (208) 282-3207. Those needing more information can go to www.isu.edu/cal/gala.shtml.