Jackson Davies, Dean Regan, and Sibel Thrasher

The Arts Club Theatre Company is pleased to announce that their 7^th annual fundraising gala, The Arts Club Honours will be held Monday, November 30, at the Villa Amato Ballroom. The star-studded, glitzy evening will celebrate three artists who have made a significant artistic contribution to the company over the years. These honours will be bestowed annually in the run-up to the 50^th anniversary of the Arts Club in 2013. This year’s recipients are Jackson Davies, Dean Regan, and Sibel Thrasher.

Bill Millerd, Artistic Managing Director, said, “I am looking forward to publicly honouring those who have contributed artistically to the company over the years. This year’s honourees are to be celebrated for their extraordinary talent, creativity, and dedication to the history of the Arts Club, and to the greater Vancouver arts community.”

The event will feature a red carpet cocktail reception, dinner, entertainment, and live and silent auctions. The hors d’oeuvres, three-course meal, and after-party will be masterfully created and catered by The Lazy Gourmet with the fine wines of Sonoma Vineyards (California). The Lazy Gourmet, a longtime Arts Club supporter, celebrates its 30^th anniversary this fall. President Susan Mendelson said, “We are proud to be celebrating 30 years in business and 30 years of supporting the arts in Vancouver. The Lazy Gourmet has chosen to support the Arts Club Theatre Company because we believe that they personify the best quality and creativity available to Vancouver theatre audiences.”

Proceeds from the gala will support the arts and education programs at the Arts Club, including the Student Matinee Series that provides subsidized to over 14,000 students at 756 schools, the Understudy program that distributes hundreds of free tickets to charities that work with at-risk youth, and LEAP, a full scholarship playwriting program for the development of talented teenage playwrights.

About the Honourees:

Famous for starring as Constable John Constable in CBC’s longest-running TV series The Beachcombers, Jackson Davies has performed in over 30 shows for the Arts Club, including audience favourites such as The Wild Guys, Talking Dirty, The Foursome, and The Producers.

Recently inducted into the BC Hall of Fame, Dean Regan has directed over 20 productions for the Arts Club, including the legendary Ain’t Misbehavin’ and his original works Black and Gold, Hotel Porter, and Red Rock Diner. Dean’s big band musical, Swing, opened the historic Stanley Theatre in 1998.

Sibel Thrasher performed in every performance of the Arts Club’s production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ —the longest-running show in the company’s history. Sibel has also been seen in Black and Gold, Tapestry, and Little Shop of Horrors.

IN BRIEF: The Arts Club Theatre Company presents their annual fundraising gala, The Arts Club Honours, on Monday, November 30, at the Villa Amato Ballroom. The event begins at 6:00 pm with a red-carpet cocktail reception and followed by entertainment, dinner, and auctions. The Villa Amato Ballroom is located at 88 East 1^st Avenue and Quebec. Tickets are $200 (including a $100 tax receipt) and are available through the Arts Club Box Office at 604.687.1644.

The Arts Club Theatre Company, now in its 46th season, is the largest theatre company in Western Canada, offering the best in professional theatre at each of their three venues —the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Granville Island Stage, and New Revue Stage —as well as on tour throughout the province. CHARITABLE REGISTRATION NO. 11921 3551 RR0001