Five Things To Know: Dawn Galia on Center Place's 27th Annual Arts Gala

Dawn Galia is sure of two things: the economy has caused people and businesses to spend more wisely and the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association in Brandon is dependent on donations to keep its doors open.

With this in mind, Galia, the center’s executive director, has made it a point to promote the upcoming 27th Annual Arts Gala as a great night out for a great price.

The April 9 gala is scheduled to start 7 p.m. at the Brandon Community Advantage Center, now open under Hillsborough Community College ownership and non-profit community board oversight as The Regent.

The Regent is part of the Winthrop town settlement, at 6437 Watson Road in Riverview.

“Our goal this year is to have many more corporate sponsors and so we lowered the table price, keeping in mind the times we live in,” Galia said.

A table of eight this year costs $1,000 — a $250 savings over the year before.

Individual tickets cost $100 per person.

Galia offered five things to know about “the value and worth” of a Center Place Arts Gala ticket:

1. The silent auction — one of the best, if not the best, in town. "We typically have more than 250 baskets and stand-alone items," Galia said. "The value of the baskets typically range from $25 to $300 and there are incredible deals for the taking." Bids start low and Center Place volunteers "spend more than 80 hours in the week leading up to the gala putting the baskets together in creative ways," Galia said.
2. Well-received catering. Returning to cater this year's event is Spotlight Catering, which last year received rave reviews, Galia said. "Last year we got fantastic feedback on the food and the way it was presented," she said. "We had food stations last year and we'll do the same thing this year. It just seems more personable because people can mingle while they get their food." Menu items this year include: beef tenderloin carved by a chef, citrus chicken and assorted pasta.
3. Full, premium bar included. "Once you put your money out for a ticket you don't have to put more money out for a drink," Galia said. "It makes for a special evening when you don't have to keep going into your pocket to pay for a drink."
4. The cause is worthy. Proceeds raised at the gala allow the Center Place staff to do its work in fulfilling the non-profit's mission for "providing a unique cultural space in which advocacy for the arts occurs through programs and outreach for all ages." This includes: live theater for children; art classes for children and adults; monthly art exhibits in the Mook Gallery; dinner theater shows; community theater performances; and civic gatherings, fundraisers and town hall meetings. Center Place also hosts annually a series of free community events: Chalk Walk in March, the Halloween Horribles Parade, the Gallery Hop in September, Santa's Workshop and the community Christmas tree lighting.
5. Awareness. "We have so many people who walk through our doors and say, 'Wow, we didn't know you were here,' even though we were established in 1976 and in our current location since 1979."

Center Place shares space with the Brandon Regional Library in the Sandy Rodriguez Center, at 619 Vonderburg Drive, between Parsons and Oakfield Avenues in Brandon.