Attendee Details

Saturday, July 13, 2024

The Sounds of Motor City will feature Motown legends, The Temptations, and The Four Tops. Backed by a tight rhythm section and blazing brass ensemble, these legendary supergroups will bring their signature sound to the party of the season – the 2024 Annual Gala! Enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring cocktails, a VIP dinner with a live auction, and American music royalty The Temptations and The Four Tops - LIVE in concert. After the show, guests are encouraged to head upstairs to the Rooftop Afterparty to dance the night away under the stars and enjoy tasty, well-crafted cocktails and inspired bites.

This annual fundraiser benefits the mission of the Great Lakes Center for the Arts – to inspire, entertain, educate, and serve all in Northern Michigan year-round by presenting exceptional experiences across the full spectrum of the performing arts and offering impactful educational opportunities. 


The Evening

Attire: Motor City Chic, Black Tie Optional

5:00PM Doors Open for VIP Dinner sponsored by the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation

Cocktails and Photo Opportunity
Dinner with a Motown flair 
Luxury Live Auction

7:45PM Center and Theater Doors Open for Concert Ticket Holders

Cocktails and Photo Opportunity

8:30PM Gala Concert 

The Four Tops
The Temptations

10:00PM Rooftop Afterparty sponsored by Todd Wenzel Automotive

Music from First Call Crew
Motown-inspired hors d'oeuvres

11:30PM Evening Concludes

Event Attire

Dress in what you feel is comfortable for a special gala event – Motor City Chic is encouraged!

The Annual Gala is black tie optional, with those that enjoy a tux choosing to don them, and those who do not opting for other attire. We expect everything from cocktail dresses to sparkly gowns and everything in between. The theme of the evening is celebrating 60’s Motown Soul, with silver tones and blue accents. Attendees are encouraged to have fun with this year’s theme!

The Temptations and The Four Tops

The Sounds of Motor City will feature Motown legends, The Temptations and The Four Tops. Backed by a tight rhythm section and blazing brass ensemble, these legendary supergroups will bring their signature sound to the party of the season – the 2024 Annual Gala. The Temptations, often referred to as “American Music Royalty,” are world-renowned superstars of entertainment, revered for their phenomenal catalog of music and prolific career. The Four Tops, originally called the Four Aims, made their first single for Chess in 1956, and spent seven years on the road and in nightclubs, singing pop, blues, Broadway, but mostly jazz—four-part harmony jazz. The band then caught fire in the mid 60’s with multiple hit records, and cemented themselves as Motown legends.

Check In & Tickets

Please check in upon arrival. Tickets for the Gala will be distributed that evening upon your arrival.

Arrival & Parking

The Center is located at 800 Bay Harbor Drive, Bay Harbor, Michigan. The Bay Harbor Community is just west of Petoskey and east of Charlevoix on US 31.

As you turn from US 31 into the Village at Bay Harbor at the US 31 traffic light, you will be on Bay Harbor Drive. As you head down Bay Harbor Drive, you may find parking for the Center on your right in the GLCFA Main Parking Lot, with overflow parking in the lot to the south (towards US 31).

Please see the map below indicating where you may park your vehicle. Reserved spaces for handicapped patrons are located in the front row and the first four spaces of the Main Parking Lot. In addition, the Center’s porte-cochère may be utilized for easy drop off at the main entrance to the building. We will have multiple GEM cars available to help escort guests between the parking lot and the center.

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Concert

The concert will begin at 8:30PM sharp. Late attendees will need to wait to be escorted into the Theater.

Auction

The live auction with various exciting packages will be available to the evening’s Sponsors and during the VIP Dinner in the Community Engagement Room. Additionally, a silent auction will be available to all Center patrons.

Live Auction Packages Silent Auction

Special Thanks

Special thanks to our incredible sponsors, including the Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation for sponsoring the VIP dinner, and Todd Wenzel Automotive for sponsoring the Afterparty.

Also, thank you to our Gala Committee members: Chair Lin Henkel, Barrie Bender, Amy Heuerman, and Joan Sabatino.

Live Auction Packages

Lot 1

BVI Getaway

Donated By: Pamela and David V. Johnson & Ron Weiser and Barrie Bender 

Value: $24,150
Starting bid: $10,000

A luxurious five-night stay for up to eight guests in Amarone Villa, an incredible four-bedroom home at Oil Nut Bay in the British Virgin Islands. 

More Info

Lot 2

University of Michigan Sports Package

Donated by: Ron Weiser and Barrie Bender

Item value: Priceless 
Starting bid: $2,500
 

U of M fans, get ready! Four premier tickets to a home game of your choice during the 2024-2025 seasons for the following: U of M Hockey, U of M Basketball, and U of M Football.

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Lot 3

SIP Wine Package

Donated by: Ron Weiser and Barrie Bender & SIP

Value: $4,300
Starting Bid: $3,000

An incredible wine package that includes a bottle of Opus One 2010 Double Magnum, two bottles of Louis Roederer Cristal Rose 2013, and two bottles of Dom Perignon Rose 2008.

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Lot 4

Off the Easel

Donated by: Amy Moglia Heuerman

Item value: $9,700 
Starting bid: $6,800 

Wake up to the tranquil scene of Mother of Pearl, an original coastal painting with luminous colors like the inside of an oyster shell, by nationally known artist, Amy Moglia Heuerman.

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Lot 5

Island Crusin'

Donated by: Barbara and Bill Parfet

Item value: $10,000 
Starting bid: $5,000 

A boat cruise to Beaver Island for six people with Barbara and Bill Parfet. Your adventure begins with a delightful breakfast at the Parfet’s home, followed by a cruise around Beaver Island and nearby islands. 

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Lot 6

USVI Getaway

Donated by: Ron Weiser and Barrie Bender 

Item value: $4,000 
Starting bid: $2,000 

A luxurious five-night stay for two guests at iconic The Fred Hotel in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Lot 7&8

Hourani Cuvée

Donated by: Dr. Michael and Jane Hourani

Item values: Priceless  
Starting bids: $5,000 

Two packages of fantastic and unique blends made with grapes from some of the highest quality, oldest, and most iconic vines. Each package includes six bottles of wine.

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Lot 9

An Evening in Harbor Springs

Donated By: Lin and Herb Henkel

Item value: $10,000 
Starting bid: $5,000 

Treat six friends to a special evening that includes an evening cruise on a Barton & Gray Mariners Club 44-foot Hinckley Talaria with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and dinner at the brand-new Mediterranean restaurant Jolie.

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Lot 10

Detroit Sports Package

Donated By: Ron Weiser and Barrie Bender, Ken Fischer, and Denise Ilitch

Item value: Priceless 
Starting bid: $4,500 

Sports fans rejoice! This package includes the full Detroit Tigers experience with a full suite, parking, food, merch, rides on the carasoul and Ferris wheel, as well as four Players Club tickets to a Detroit Red Wings game with food, drinks, a keepsake signed puck, and a Zamboni ride.

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Lot 11

Otherworldly Escape

Donated By: Ron Weiser and Barrie Bender

Item value: $10,00 
Starting bid: $5,000 

Enjoy a remarkable weeklong stay for up to eight guests at The Other World guest house on lush, private grounds in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. 

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Questions?

For any questions, please contact the Development Office at 231.439.2601.