The fifth annual "Evening for the Arts" benefit for the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation comes to Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts with the musical revue, "Beatlemania - The Tribute" on Saturday, September 8 at 7:30 p.m. A complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres reception begins at 6 p.m. in the lobby and offers a preview of the many silent auction items available for bidding. The Master of Ceremonies for the Live Auction segment of the evening is Orange, Conn. resident, David Raffauf who returns as host for his fifth year. Proceeds from the benefit will fund 16 different annual scholarships, grants and educational programs for burgeoning artists in their early years throughout the greater New Haven and Fairfield counties.

The musical part of the evening focuses on several stages of the Fab Four's music, from the early "Cavern" days in Liverpool through "Sgt. Pepper," "Abbey Road" and beyond. The extraordinary cast of "Beatlemania" performs the wildly popular music live. These four musicians merge with their characters so completely they have delighted audiences on Broadway, in all 50 states and throughout the world.

Carlo Cantamesa as John Lennon continues, after 20 years, to astound audiences with his uncanny Lennon-like stage presence and vocals; Jim Filgate as George Harrison has spent 15 years touring with "Beatlemania" and mimics the "quiet Beatle" to perfection by combining his soft, spiritual personality with impeccable vocals and sheer guitar wizardry; Lenie Colacino as Paul McCartney emulates the "cute Beatle's" charm, his amazing vocals and trademark "lefty" bass guitar and Joe Nocco as Ringo Starr rounds out the solid group with his powerful backbeat drumming.

The silent auction comprises a variety of high-quality choices including, a 7-day holiday in St. Maarten, original works of art that include oils, watercolors, pottery, photos and reproductions, antique, as well as hand crafted fine and costume jewelry, tickets to major performance venues in Fairfield, New Haven and Hartford Counties and Hollywood, sports and Beatles memorabilia including a limited edition "Imagine" jacket.

Created in memory of Jamie Alaine Hulley, daughter of Fairfield psychology professor Judy Primavera, the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the educational enrichment and professional development of young artists. Hundreds of area children, teens and early career adults have enjoyed enriched artistic lives thanks to many foundation-sponsored programs. For more information about the Arts Foundation, visit the website at www.jamiehulleyartsfund.org.

Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Send a check or money order to the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation, P.O. Box 1208, Orange, CT 06477. For information, call (203) 891-8869 or send e-mail to jamieart@snet.net.

Posted On: 07-27-2007 10:07 AM

Volume: 40 Number: 12