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 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.

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

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.

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

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 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.