Peerless Center guests to experience Italy in launch of funding campaign
The Peerless Center is hosting “An Evening in Italy!” special event on Friday, Aug. 11, to launch the multi-month fundraising campaign for facility and building improvements. The campaign coincides with the Peerless Theatre’s 25th anniversary.
Beginning at 6 p.m. at the Peerless Center in Holyoke, 212 S. Interocean Ave., guests will socialize during an open bar time while live music is provided by local favorite Joe Hall and friends.
Guests will be served an Italian-themed, four-course dinner prepared by Chef Bob Brandt. A 2022 graduate of Denver’s Cook Street School of Culinary Arts, Brandt says, “I tried to select food items that are singularly Italian but not common, even on most Italian restaurant menus.” From the appetizer to dessert, flavors from ingredients used to prepare each item will please the palate in this unique gourmet meal intentionally designed for the occasion.
Information will be provided about the early vision and efforts made to establish a youth activity center. Those efforts laid the groundwork that established the Golden Plains Recreation Center nonprofit organization and its eventual operation of the Peerless Theatre.
Guests will have an opportunity to financially support specific improvement projects offered as live auction items.
Following the auction, guests will seat themselves in the Peerless Theatre, where the “Three Coins in the Fountain” movie will transport them to Italy. Filmed in Italy and released in 1954, its title refers to the throwing of coins in the Trevi Fountain in Rome while making a wish. The film is a romantic comedy-drama that follows three American women roommates working in Rome who are on a quest to find romance and marriage. Its title song is sung by Frank Sinatra. The film received two Academy Awards for best cinematography and best song. It was also nominated for best picture.
The evening will conclude with a wine bar featuring Italian wine.
Tickets are $100 per person. Dress for the evening is business attire. Reservations are capped at 80 people. Reservations are to be made by contacting Cherrie Brown at 970-520-5320. Checks are payable to GPRC/Peerless Center.
The concept and implementation of “An Evening in Italy” is by the volunteer committee working with the GPRC board of directors and center director, Paula Strode. Committee members include Cherrie Brown, Penny Bailey and Penny Dockins.