Maine State Ballet Benefit Auction featured an Evening in Paris along with Portland Fire Trucks

The Maine State Ballet celebrated "An Evening in Paris" at its second annual fund-raising event Saturday, March 20 at the Eastland Park Hotel Ballroom. The silent auction was interrupted briefly by a hotel room fire on the fourth floor. About 300 people were evacuated to High Street for roughly thirty minutes.

Once the fire was put out, the auction resumed with music by Trio de Camera, followed by a buffet dinner and a live auction. Local television news personalities Bill Green of WCSH and Doug Rafferty of WGME guided the festivities. Guests were treated to a brief performance of Can-Can Parisian by members of the Maine State Ballet Company, choreographed by artistic director Linda MacArthur Miele. Dancing to music by the Tony Boffa Band rounded out the eventful evening.

The benefit auction raised over $20,000; proceeds will be applied to Maine State Ballet's summer production and a college scholarship program. Through the establishment of the Dance for ME scholarship fund, Maine State Ballet is working with area colleges and universities to help promote the arts and education here in Maine. Scholarship funds will help offset tuition costs for students remaining in Maine for their college education while continuing to dance for Maine State Ballet. Sincere thanks are extended to all that contributed to the huge success of this second year event.

Maine State Ballet's summer festival featuring George Balanchine's Serenade and Can-Can Parisian, will be performed at Merrill Auditorium on Saturday, August 14. Tickets to the evening event will go on sale July 5th at the Merrill Auditorium box office, 842-0800, or online at www.porttix.com.

For more information, call (207) 856-1662 or visit the Maine State Ballet website at www.mainestateballet.org.

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