Evening of Stars to pay tribute to arts community

OREM — The SCERA Center for the Arts will showcase some of the finest talent in Utah Valley at its 3rd Annual black tie Evening of Stars Arts Gala as part of an elegant evening that includes dinner, live and silent auctions, entertainment and presentation of the Star Awards, hosted by KSL-TV news veteran Dick Nourse.

The Star Awards honor groups and individuals who have made and continue to make significant contributions to the arts in Utah County.

Everything for the gala — from auction items, video production, printing and table linens to performers, equipment, plaques and dinner — has been donated so that all proceeds will benefit SCERA's Endowment for the Arts and its arts programs. SCERA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization and donations are tax-deductible.

The silent auction opens at 5:30 p.m. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. followed by a live auction conducted by Kevin Gallagher at 7 p.m. The Star Awards and entertainment will begin immediately after.

"We like having the opportunity to honor those who enrich our lives by their talents, their time, their support and their creativity," said SCERA President/CEO Adam J. Robertson. "It goes far beyond SCERA; we acknowledge a wide variety of involvement in the arts in many cities and organizations throughout the valley."

Category awards will be given for theater, dance, music, visual arts, voluntarism, advocacy of the arts, corporate and individual friends of the arts and special recognition. Top awards are the lifetime achievement honor and the 2008 Star Award.

"The nominating committee this year has selected an amazing list of award recipients," Robertson said."They range from those who have shared their talents in the spotlight to those whose dedication and creativity have furthered the arts and to those who labor quietly without receiving many accolades. All are incredibly deserving.

"This is an important fundraising event for SCERA," he said. "We've worked hard to make it an enjoyable evening and an ongoing tradition of honoring and celebrating the arts."

Last year, the gala brought in more than $25,000.

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If you go . . .

What: SCERA 3rd Annual Evening of Stars Arts Gala

Where: SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State, Orem

When: 5:30/6 p.m. Feb. 9

Cost: $95 entire event/$10 awards and entertainment only

Phone: 225-2569

Web: www.scera.org