Portland Center Stage “Blue’s Rendezvous: A Night on the Bayou” Raises $421,175

. Gala Guests included: Ryan Taylor, Angela Taylor, Zach Stepp, Dave Lofland, Briana Gonzales, and Tom Barreto.

Portland, May 5^th. Portland Center Stage hosted its annual gala and this year’s theme, Blue’s Rendezvous: A Night on the Bayou, was inspired by the soul and history of the blues. Guests included: Ryan Taylor, Angela Taylor, Zach Stepp, Dave Lofland, Briana Gonzales, and Tom Barreto. (Photo Credit, Joni Photo)

Co Chairs, John Taylor, Barbara West, and Tasca and Paul Gulick.

It was truly a “House Rent Boogie,” which, in blues slang, connotes a party thrown to help support a good cause, raising a gross total of $421,175 – Portland Center Stage’s 2^nd highest grossing gala of all time.

Auctioneer Johnna Wells and Emcee Rodney Hicks, who is returning to the PCS stage from his last gig as Curly in Oklahoma!

The night began with cocktails and entertainment at the Alligator Bayou Bar, located in the Pearl Garage. Following that, dinner was catered by Art of Catering and served in the Meyer Memorial Trust Lobby and Mezzanine of the Gerding Theater at the Armory.

Singer LaRhonda Steele belts it out (top).

Terry Ness dances at the Armory and PCS Board Member, Chrys Martin dances with her husband, Jack Pessia.

Swamp-like décor adorns the dinner tables inside the historic Armory.

Lisa Mann performs.

Special Guests Dan Wheetman, Chic Street Man, and Mississippi Charles Bevel perform.

(right)

PCS Board Member, Evie Crowell (right) and her daughter Kim.

Guests at the Live Auction hold up their bid cards during the Special Appeal.

The Live Auction included 14 packages, ranging from fine wine collections to vacation deals in Bali, Costa Rica, and Hawaii, to Timbers Box tickets. Following the auction was the House of Blues after party with music by King Louie & Friends, Lisa Mann, and LaRhonda Steele, dessert, and sparkling brut from Argyle.

From Portland Center Stage:

Making a home in the Gerding Theater at the Armory since 2006, PCS has emerged as one of country’s top regional theaters, producing a dynamic mix of classical, musical, contemporary and premiere works. PCS is also proud to fill the Armory every summer with the nationally acclaimed JAW: A Playwright’s Festival. Last year’s JAW drew 2,645 event attendees and 94 participating writers, directors, actors, and other artists.

Portland Center Stage couldn’t be more excited about its lineup for their 25^th anniversary season. To highlight a few shows, audiences will begin the season with the dark masterpiece of American musical theatre, Sweeney Todd, move on to experience Shakespeare at his most magical and imaginative in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, travel through a harrowing journey alongside an award-winning war photographer through The Body of an American, get to know the original Portland foodie with the new play I Love to Eat and get a glimpse of Portland through the eyes of comedy whiz Lauren Weedman with the World Premiere of The People’s Republic of Portland.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.