Online auction now under way for Alabama Shakespeare Festival's 50th anniversary
In its first 50 years, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery touched millions of lives through its stages and programs.
"We plan to continue that for another 50 years, bringing high quality theatrical productions to the people of Alabama, and to provide vital arts education for our students," said Lindsey Jinright, ASF's development manager.
A step toward making the next half century happen is the 50th Anniversary Gala and auction, one of ASF's largest fundraisers. Though the gala itself is sold out, bidding for 51 items is under way now at auction.asf.net, and anyone can register to take part.
"You can even set it up on your phone, and it'll notify you when you're outbid so you can come back and bid again," Jinright said.
Items for bid include several vacation travel packages, a variety of meals, beauty and fashion items, home accessories and some one-of-a-kind pieces.
"We have all sorts of items, something for everybody to bid on," said Jinright, who has her eye on both a special meal and an antique table lamp.
"We'll see what happens," she said. "I keep my eye on everything, but I know bidding gets intense. That's what we're hoping for, and since it all goes to support the theater. That's the most important part."
Jinright advises people to bid early and often over the next few days. Bidding will end Saturday at 8 p.m.
"Anyone can bid. You do not have to attend the Gala to bid," Jinright said. "You can bid from the comfort of your home."
Here are the ASF auction items
There are 51 items up for auction, which include:
A weekend in New Orleans with dinner at Peche Seafood Grill
A garden experience on Lake Martin with boxed lunches
A catered dinner for 12 by Jennie Weller Catering
Three Laser Genesis treatments
ASF parking space and subscription
Catered dinner for 6 at WSFA
A catered dinner for 6 by FDL Gourmet To Go
A custom man's suit from The Locker Room
Dinner for 4 at City Grill
Dinner for 8 at Ravello
Dinner for 8 at Vintage Year
Dinner for 4 at Chuck's Fish House
Painting commission by Diddy Vucovich
Romantic weekend on Lake Martin
Tour with cocktails at Bobby McAlpine's Atlanta home
Two-night stay at Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa
Two-night stay at Battle House Hotel and Spa in Mobile
Two-night stay at Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa
Two-night stay at Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge
Two-night stay at The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa
Two nights at The Grand Hotel, with dinner at The Hope Farm, and Golf
One night stay at Graduate Hotel Athens and The Last Resort
Weekend Getaway to Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, North Carolina
A Whiskey and Bourbon Tasting
$500 gift certificate for King's Table Catering
$500 gift certificate to Stonehenge Framing
University of Georgia football tickets
Wine dinner for 2 at Taste
Dinner for 6 at Verde, and a private tour of Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
Two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon wine
A premium scotch whisky basket
An electric bicycle
A Judith Leiber top handle bag
A Hydrofacial gift basket
American leaded glass table lamp
Chinese garden stools with floral decoration
Decorated Venetian Tea Table with scalloped apron
Japanese blossoms bowl with spout
Brass candlesticks with fluted bodies
Jay Strongwater amber glass vase with jeweled butterflies
A Laura Bear painting
Sheraton brass bound walnut dome-topped caddy
Six crystal high ball glasses with etched lion head detail
A pair of Royal Doulton porcelain vases
A Spelter and Gilt four-light candelabra lamp
A Lalique perfume bottle
A pair of Paris porcelain footed vases
An Alabama football signed by Joe Namath
A covered Imari dish
Minton Majolica Jardiniere
A Vintage Olive gift basket
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Gala auction helps fund next 50 years at Alabama Shakespeare Festival
