10 minute read
COMMUNITY
GilbertSunNews.com | @GilbertSunNews /GilbertSunNews For more community news visit gilbertsunnews.com
Gilbert nonprofit’s gala would support new theater plan
GSN NEWS STAFF
AGilbert nonprofit is planning a gala to raise funds for its big dream of building a performing arts theater “to enrich our East Valley communities. INSPIRE Music Service Hope will hold its “A Night at the Theatre” gala starting at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, One S. San Marcos Place in downtown Chandler. It will be hosted by Amber Barto, the 2021 Miss America, and will include live performances of Broadway show tunes, dinner and a live auction featuring helicopter rides, international service tours, a hand-drawn family portrait and more. Tickets start at $150 for two guests while tables cost $750 and can accommodate 10. They are available at inspiremsh. org/gala-tickets. And sponsorships are still available by writing musicservicehope@gmail.com. INSPIRE vocal director and spokesman Eric Sackett said the nonprofit is eyeing several sites for a 65,000 square-footvenue “designed to enrich our East Valley communities.” “The project will bring new economic opportunities to Arizona, provide new jobs to hundreds of workers, and offer a professional venue to host Broadway-caliber performances and tours,” he said. The nonprofit envisions the new facility will include a 600-seat proscenium theater, a 200-seat studio theatre that would be available for events, back-of-the-house support with a scene shop, dressing rooms and other facilities; a 10,000-square-foot administration space, and rehearsal and classroom spaces. Currently, INSPIRE’s for-profit business, INSPIRE Entertainment, owns and operates a dance studio at Baseline and Greenfield roads, where it has more than 800 students in its various performance classes.
The Gilbert nonprofit INSPIRE Music Service Hope envisions building this 65,000-squarefoot theater and studio somewhere in the East Valley. (Courtesy of INSPIRE)
see INSPIRE page 16
Gilbert mom wins $10K from Barro’s, Dr Pepper
GSN NEWS STAFF
Gilbert mom Whitney Gaither got a big helping hand from Barro’s Pizza in her effort to get her master’s degree after winning $10,000 in the 2021 Arizona Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway. The prize is awarded by Barro and Dr Pepper to one Valley resident to help pay for college tuition or any related educational expenses. Gaither, the mother of four children ages 5 to 11, is an emergency room nurse for Banner hospitals in the East Valley and recently enrolled in Western Governors University to pursue a master’s in nursing education. “I am over-the-moon excited about this opportunity to show my kids that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it and that education is important,” said Gaither. “Winning this money has lifted a tremendous weight off my shoulders and paves the way to reach my goal of teaching and investing in future nurses, something I am so passionate about.” With 46 restaurants throughout Arizona and more than 40 years in business, the Barro family says it prides itself on finding ways to support and improve the communities they serve. “Being able to help someone like Whitney, an essential worker and mom of four young kids, is really what our commitment to the community is all about.” said Bruce Barro, co-owner of Barro’s Pizza. “Through our partnership with Dr Pepper, we are so happy to help her pursue her dreams and be a good role model for her kids – teaching them how important a good education is.” The Barro’s Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway has awarded $85,000 to students in Arizona since 2012. Submissions were open to all Arizona residents 18 years or older and a winner was chosen at random out of approximately 12,000 entries. The winner can use the money to pay for current expenses such as tuition and books or to pay off outstanding student loans. Information: drpeppertuition.com.
Barro’s Pizza awarded $10,000 to Gilbert Mom and ER nurse Whitney Gaither recently, second from right, for winning of the 2021 Arizona Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway. With Gaither were, from left: Barro’s employees Zach Alvarez and Ashley Wellington, Barro’s co-owner Bruce Barro and Barro employee Nicole Thomas. (Special to GSN)
Everett multi-purpose storage unit is perfect as an audio/video cabinet, low side board or very practical console. Beautifully done in natural walnut. 78.75” x 17.75” x 23.5”h. $1489 1095$ Kasper extension table in teak. Cleverly hidden leaves extend from under the top at either end to create more space when needed. 35” x 55” and extends to 102”.
come experience the The Essentials Collection by Copenhagen, a dynamic compilation of ever changing essentials merchandise, as we work with both current and new manufacturers from around the world. The concept is based on quality products of good design and exceptionally strong value that will be offered every single day. No waiting for any special promotions! In fact, Essentials will be so aggressively priced that these items will be excluded from collection any other Copenhagen or manufacturer sponsored promotions. These specially priced items are only available in select finishes and quantities may be limited, so hurry in for best selection. Essentials... great design, excellent quality and exceptional value.
Karma console table doubles easily as a unique side board. From stock as shown with polished steel uprights, clear glass top and natural walnut. Also available in a winter grey finish. 63” x 16” x 31”high. $1499 $1199
The March sofa series, 100% made in Italy and 100% all leather. A well built, comfortable sofa that complements any contemporary interior. Available in black or light grey. Sofa $1699
$1359
Loveseat $1629
$1299
$995
$795
Jakob side chair in teak. $395
$299
each The Solace Soho desk in winter grey or natural walnut. White lacquer available soon. 47”x 26” x 30” h $749 $599
Tammy two-seat power recline sofa by Incanto of Italy. Fine top-grain leather in either light brown (shown) or grey. $4550 3585$
contemporary furniture & accessories
PHOENIX 1701 E. Camelback 602-266-8060 SCOTTSDALE 15804 N. Scottsdale Rd. (South of Bell) 480-367-6401 GILBERT 2000 S. Santan Village Parkway (west of Mall) 480-838-3080
www.copenhagenliving.com
GILBERT SUN NEWS | JANUARY 23, 2022
After 2-year hiatus, Ostrich Fest plans a big return in March
BY KEN SAIN GSN Staff Writer
The Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival was an hour away from starting in March 2020 when nearly the entire country came to a stop. “The President made the announcement an hour before we were supposed to open the gates. It was awful,” said Jamie LeVine, one of the owners of Steve LeVine Entertainment, which puts on the festival with the city and Chamber of Commerce. “Everything was completely set up,” LeVine recalled. “It was a sad time for the city, all the vendors, and the performers. We literally set up the festival, just to have to take it all down. It was a sad time.” President Trump declared a national emergency because of the COVID19, ending normalcy in America. The Ostrich Festival was just one of many activities canceled as the nation struggled to slow the spread of the deadly virus. Last year, the Chamber had considered holding the Ostrich Festival in fall. “We just didn’t feel like it was the right thing to do. We decided to wait. It was a collective decision with the city and the Chamber,” LeVine said. Two years later. life is poised to return to normal – and that includes the Ostrich Festival. “We decided to bring it back, bigger and better than ever,” LeVine said. This year’s Ostrich Festival is scheduled for two weekends for the first time, March 11-13 and March 17-20 at Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road. The festival pays tribute to the early days of Chandler when ostrich ranches existed.
It began and drew between 250,000 and 300,000 people over three days. Now they’re expanding it to six days.
The festival includes live entertainment, carnival rides, food, beverages and of course, ostriches. Country music star Walker Hayes is the featured performer for March 12. His hit “Fancy Like” was number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs list for four weeks. Also lined up is GRAMMY Award winning R&B singer Nelly. St. Patrick’s Day will fall during the festival and LeVine said special activities are being planned to take advantage of that. She said the past two years have been rough, with no Ostrich Festival since 2019. She said the performers they are talking to about appearing are all excited to get in front of people again. “They’re very eager, very excited,” she said. “They’re very interested in coming to see what this Ostrich Festival is all about.” Admission is $20 for 13 and older, $15 for ages 4 to 12, and free for children 3 and younger. VIP tickets that include access to the front of stage viewing area and VIP tent are $100. The carnival rides will cost a dollar each, or visitors can purchase 25 tickets for $23 or 80 tickets for $70. They also plan to offer unlimited ride wristbands. No price has been announced for those. For details as the gala event gets closer, check ostrichfestival.com. And as organizers continue to plan for this year’s bigger and better festival, COVID cases are once again spiking to record highs. “We’re still a few months away, we’re hoping that the numbers get under control,” LeVine said. “The entire thing is outside, and that is a positive component to this. We’re certainly watching and listening and seeing what other events are doing in the Valley and across the country.”
The birds are once again the word this March as the Ostrich Fest returns. (File photo)
INSPIRE from page 14
The nonprofit’s mission is to be an organization that “lifts hearts, inspires action, and empowers people of all ages through music, service and hope.” “We’ve had a vision of what we’ve wanted to do since the beginning, and this gala is the first big step in seeing that vision come to life,” said Michael Sackett, CEO and founder of both the nonprofit and for-profit INSPIRE entities. “We are excited to build on our success and lay out the plan for how we can come together to accomplish this monumental task. “INSPIRE MSH wants to create a better ecosystem of performers who seek to use their gifts for good and build upon the great arts programs Arizona already has. This new performing arts center will be a hub and home for businesses and individuals who are at the forefront of making that meaningful impact.” The inspiration for INSPIRE was born in 2006, when Michael Sackett was visiting an orphanage in Korea with Brigham Young University’s Young Ambassadors. He recalls on his website that a “super smile, pigtailed, buck tooth girl” was sitting on his lap and he began thinking how she had been dropped off on the orphanage’s doorstep and would likely never enjoy the blessings he had in life. Five years later he decided to quit his job and with the help of Kylee Shields, a Utah social worker, founded INSPIRE Music Service Hope. The nonprofit started as a chorus and eventually added a youth vocal performance. It then formed a company after seeing a need “for more professional quality performing arts opportunities,” the group’s website says, Sacket created INSPIRE Entertainment to help people prepare for careers in performing arts. In 2016, the nonprofit’s students and families went on an international service tour to Columbia and has since then has performed in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize and Fiji. It also has awarded more than $10,000 in scholarships to over 30 students. “When done right, the arts can strengthen communities and provide a meaningful space for people to come together and create positive projects that can really change people for the better,” said Ariel Johnson, the nonprofit’s board president. Added Eric Sackett: “Music is therapy. It is a communication far more powerful than words, far more immediate, far more efficient. We seek to lift hearts in the lives of all who interact with IMSH, both as a participant on one of our many tours, helping at our service projects, being a part of the music, and as a beneficiary of the many wonderful projects we do.”
INSPIRE leaders said the new facility would include would include two performance theaters, one with 600 seats and the other with 200, as well as room for classes, stage support
and administration. (Courtesy of INSPIRE)
