The 10th annual Perky in Pink steak and lobster cabaret is being hosted this year on May 14th, with funds going to support a number of important agencies.
Traditionally, the event raised funds for the Alberta Cancer Foundation, but this year will also contribute to the AlbertaHeart & Stroke Foundation, the Ronald McDonald House, Dominican Feed the Kids, STARS Ambulance and the Make A WishFoundation.
The cabaret and dinner takes place on May 14th at the Blackfalds Multiplex. A limited number of tickets are being sold, $60each, until May 1st.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner from 7-8:30 p.m. Following dinner, a dance is held with live band KIXXSIN, which has performed at the event for the past five years.
“Last year, our event made $28,000 in one night. We used to put all of our funds towards the Alberta Cancer Foundation,but decided to change it up a few years ago and share that money among other organizations,” explained organizer CarolynCota.
“For the past two years, we have put the silent auction money towards different charities. The money from the cabaret all goes to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, but we have other things - like a big wheelbarrow full of booze that we auction off,and all of that money goes to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.”
Silent auction items from the event will sponsor various organizations and causes.
Cota said they changed this to add a little bit more reach in the community with the funds they raise at the event.
She said the event is meant to be a comfortable, fun evening that is affordable to people. For $60, a person can enjoy a full night of dining and entertainment, with 100% of proceeds going to worthy causes.
Cota explained that the event started out small and has continually grown into the annual steak and lobster cabaret event. However, this year, the Perky in Pink group is looking to potentially change things up for future planning.
“We’ve been doing the cabaret now for 10 years, and it’s a lot of work. We’re not stopping our fundraising, we’re simply going to look into other options, rather than continue with the cabaret,” Cota explained.
She added that the group wants to try something new and will be taking suggestions from guests at the event to potentially help plan future fundraisers.
As it is the 10th year of the event, a special raffle item has been added: a wine tree made with approximately 50 bottles.Cota said they continuously bring in new prizes such as this to keep it interesting for the crowd.
“Because the cabaret has been going on for so long, we get a lot of the same people. That said, our crowd is very varied because we get some 18-year-olds that used to serve butter for us when they were young, and they come now with theirfriends,” she laughed.
“My parents are in their 70s and they fill up three or four tables. The older people usually stay for the meal and leave after the first set of music, and the young kids stay till the end. It’s a really fun crowd and we’ve never had issues other thanpeople having lots of fun.”
The event is 18-plus.
Raffle tickets for the wheelbarrow of alcohol and the wine tree must be purchased ahead of the event by calling Judy at403-304-5553 or Ang at 403-391-9216.
Regular tickets can be purchased in various locations - Fisherman’s Pride in Red Deer, Reflections Day Spa in Lacombe,Shelley’s Sun & Sand Travel in Lacombe and Central City Asphalt Ltd. in Blackfalds. Tickets must be purchased by May 1st.
kmendonsa@lacombeexpress.com