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Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington Raises $115,000 at Gala

Auctioneer John Glines kicked off the live auction with a dessert package of 3 bottles of Veuve Cliquot and a chocolate cake prepared by Carrie Merrill, the pastry chef at Toro Bravo.

Portland, March 14, 2015. A Night On The Town raises more than $115,000 for Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington. Auctioneer John Glines kicked off the live auction with a dessert package of 3 bottles of Veuve Cliquot and a chocolate cake prepared by Carrie Merrill, the pastry chef at Toro Bravo. The

Portland-based nonprofit provides arts in education to more than 80,000 K-12 students each year.

Emcee Adam Bjaranson, the TV studio host of the Portland Trail Blazers, followed a welcome by Isabella Trinchero, a 12-year-old who has participated in Young Audiences programming for years. Bjaranson talked about how becoming a father was a turning point for his understanding of the importance of art in the lives of young people.

Keith Daly celebrates upon winning the Golden Ticket — which raised $10,000 and secured Keith a venue for his upcoming wedding reception.

The Patrick Lamb Band provided the soundtrack to a festive, successful evening.

City Commissioner Nick Fish also took to the stage with Executive Director Cary Clarke, reprising a reading of a proclamation by Mayor Charlie Hales the preceding Wednesday declaring March 15 to 21 to be Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week.

Commissioner Nick Fish thanked Cary Clarke for championing the arts first at City Hall, and now as Young Audiences’ Executive Director.

Throughout the evening, guests gave generously through live and silent auctions, and during a rousing paddle raise. Cheers rang out when Isabella drew the winning Golden Ticket (which helped raise $10,000 for youth arts!) Golden Ticket winners Keith Daly and new fiancé Jake Goage, selected a private party at Holocene as their auction prize – for just $200, and just three weeks after their engagement, they’ve secured a venue and party planner for their upcoming wedding reception!

The reception featured music by the Patrick Lamb Band, who kicked up their energy levels to close the program and extend the evening with dancing.

Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington inspires young people and expands their learning through the arts.

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.