Putting the FUN in FUNdraiser

I'm not always a huge fan of fundraisers. Why? Becuase they generally cost too much. I'd much rather just give money to the causes I support. But, perhaps that's just my issue.

Anyways, there are a couple events comming up that didn't make the newsletter for various reasons, but if you're looking for something fun to do and looking to support a local cause, these are three good bets.

1. Organic Wine Tasting - May 11 (tomorrow!). Now, here's an event that sounds like fun. It violates my too pricey rule ($50), but it's probably worth it, plus you support a great organzation - Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment.



2. Special Screening of classic film The Red Shoes - May 10 (tonight!) -- From the website:

BMD presents a special fundraiser screening of the 1947 classic motion picture The Red Shoes. "The most popular movie ever made about the ballet and one of the most enigmatic movies about anything. The film is voluptuous in its beauty and passionate in its storytelling. You don’t watch it, you bathe in it." wrote Roger Ebert of this in his "The Great Movies" complilation. This movie canot be seen on the big screen anywhere else! For just $25 you can see this classic plus take part in a post-screening panel discussion featuring seven of the areas foremost experts on dance including George Jackson, Andrea Snyder (Dance/USA), Kim Tomadjoglou (AFI), Jeff Edwards (Washington Ballet), Lucy Bowen McCauley, and Lourdes Barden (Kirov Academy).We are also offering a pre-show light supper where you can meet the panel and some of the BMD company members for only $50.

3. Greenbrier Takes the Stage - May 18th - I confess, I wasn't particularly excited about this one, but Erin, the fabulous director of the Greenbrier Learning Center, convinced me that there would be a lot of 20s/30-somethings there and it would be a good way to start the evening in Ballston with plenty of time to go out before or after. And if nothing else, you've supported a really good cause. Plus, it doesn't have the too pricey ($5) issue that I've been complaining about.

Here are the details from the press release:

The Educational Theatre Company (ETC), a non-profit educational arts organization, and the Greenbrier Learning Center (GBLC), a community-based organization providing after-school programs, have partnered to present Greenbrier Takes the Stage. The Comedy Spot, located in the Ballston Common Mall, has donated its stage for use by our programs.

For this performance, ETC teaching artists Sasha Olinick and Kristy Greeneradapted two children’s books, Many Moons by James Thurber, and The Dragon Prince by Laurence Yep, for a stage performance by students at Greenbrier’s two elementary after-school programs. Students rehearsed twice a week for two months, and created the show through participation in theater games, improvisation, and story telling.

The performance will take place at The Comedy Spot in the Ballston Common Mall on Friday, May 18, 2007 at 7:30pm. Tickets are a suggested donation of $5, and all proceeds will go towards the Greenbrier Learning Center’s after-school programs.