Imagine—A Beatles Era Party to Benefit Orcas Center

Abbey Road LIVE to sing at Orcas Center benefit on Saturday and public performance on Sunday

Orcas Center summer special event includes second Abbey Road – LIVE performance on Sunday evening

On Saturday, July 18, Orcas Center will host a special event that features delicious dining, camaraderie, dancing, bidding and the music of the Fab Four, all with a backdrop reminiscent of the 60s. Imagine – A fun Beatles Era Party will provide attendees with festivity, and important funding for Orcas Center.

Nanae Fralick, director of the Imagine event, described how this event has been conceived:

Event Co-Chair Jim Youngren named the event“Imagine” and it has been a series of “imagines” ever since. I imagined a summer fundraiser where our guests feel special from the very beginning, where they will be served a delectable sit down meal — a feast for the eyes as well as the palate — and where they will share a fun time with friends and new acquaintances evoking positive memories of the 60’s, Beatles and flower power while, at the same time making a meaningful contribution to Orcas Center.

The Imagine evening will begin at 5 pm with a reception featuring appetizers prepared by Mary Russell of Orcas Village Store.  At 6 p.m., guests will be invited to sit down at a four- course dinner created by Juliana Capedeville, famous for her innovative cooking style. Geddes Martin of the Inn at Ship Bay, who served as menu consultant, and Trisha Loop who, with a reputation for elegant cooking, contributed recipes for this dinner, both voice confidence that this dinner will be an unforgettable treat.

Following dinner, a brief auction will offer 13 wonderful “experiences,” including a stay in the Beatles Suite at Seattle’s Edgewater hotel, a day sail on a spectacular Concordia yawl, getaways to luxurious vacation destinations, and a variety of exquisite dining and entertainment options at some of the island’s most spectacular homes. Bidding will be orchestrated by Jeff Randall, one of Seattle’s best known charity auctioneers.

What makes the Imagine Auction unique is that winning bidders may assist more than one favorite charity with their bid. They may choose to direct up to 50% of the bid amount to a charity other than Orcas Center. Kathy Youngren, who along with husband Jim is co-chair of the Imagine event, explained the reason for this unique twist on the charity auction, “This is a difficult year for many island nonprofits. We wanted to do something that spreads the Auction proceeds beyond Orcas Center alone.”

Abbey Road LIVE! is the featured musical element of the party following dinner and the auction. The band brings an authentic sound to the Beatles’ wonderful body of songs.

All net proceeds from the Imagine event will benefit Orcas Center’s diverse programming, which includes theatre, dance and music performances by both visiting and local artists; visual art exhibitions; classes and workshops; dance and theatre instruction in the Orcas public schools; and operating the beautiful Orcas Center facility for countless other community activities.

Tickets to the Imagine fundraiser are $150 per person, of which $100 may be considered a tax-deductible contribution to Orcas Center. To purchase tickets, please visit www.orcascenter.org, call 376-2281 ext. 1 or visit the Orcas Center box office during the hours of noon-4 pm, Thursday-Saturday.

A second performance by Abbey Road LIVE! will be hosted at Orcas Center on Sunday, July 19 at 7:30 pm.

Abbey Road LIVE! hails from the musical hotbed of Athens, Georgia, from which the B-52s, Indigo Girls and REM sprang. Abbey Road LIVE! brings an authentic Beatles sound to their wonderful collection of songs. While not impersonators of the Beatles, this group entertains Beatles fans of all ages, providing a nostalgic experience to those who experienced the Fab Four sensation in the 60’s and an entertaining live performance to those who have grown up with the Beatles’ songs as classics of an era they didn’t know.

Tickets to Abbey Road LIVE! are $24, $16 (Orcas Center members) and $10 (students). For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.orcascenter.org, call 376-2281 ext. 1 or visit the Orcas Center box office during the hours of noon-4 pm, Thursday-Saturday.