'Cabaret of Fools' to benefit Ririe-Woodbury

"Cabaret of Fools," the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company's annual fundraiser held at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, helps the public get to know the company.

With a silent auction, a live auction, catered food and a performance — all emceed by Angie Larsen of "Good Things Utah" — the evening also serves as a good night out, said artistic director Charlotte Boye-Christensen.

"I would love people to come and be entertained," she said. "Come and see what we do and see where we do it and get familiarized with the group on a more personal level. It's different than seeing the dancers on stage. You get to meet us, all of us. And it takes the formality away."

One aspect of "demystifying" the company this year is to have the attendees mingle on the Jeanné Wagner Stage.

"This time around, we wanted to use the stage in an entirely different way, so it's less than a traditional setting where the dancers are on the stage and the audience is in the seats," Boye-Christensen said. "Our perspective of the stage is going to change slightly in terms of where the dancers are coming from."

She also said the event is more than just dancing.

"It's going to be extraordinarily beautiful, lighthearted and visually stunning," she said.

She also said the "Cabaret of Fools" wouldn't be possible with out the generosity of Ririe-Woodbury's advisory board, especially president Jennifer Streiff-Hickman.

"The members are so energized and so passionate about what they are doing in regards to this fundraiser," she said. "They are really very much responsible for putting this together," Boye-Christensen said. "They have worked so extensively with regards to materializing this."

Floral experts from Every Blooming Thing, whose president is Ririe-Woodbury advisory board vice chairman Robert Upwall, designed the event, Boye-Christensen said. "They always put on an amazing show. They are spectacular with how much they invest themselves in the event."

In addition, Angela's Catering is providing the bulk of the night's food, which also includes appetizers and desserts from various restaurants, and is donating their time and efforts.

"It's wonderful people are still willing to step up and be willing to do that for us," Boye-Christensen said. "That's extraordinary in this time."

If you go...

What: "Cabaret of Fools," Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company fundraiser

Where: Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South

When: April 3, 6:30 p.m.

How much: $75

Phone: 801-297-4236

Web: www.ririewoodbury.com

e-mail: scott@desnews.com