The rules: donate $5 (cash) to the fund and you’ll get a drink ticket for a glass of punch and a ballot to vote for one of three featured arts non-profits. The voting continues through the end of the night or until they run out of punch. The organization with the most votes will get a donation for the total amount raised that night—winner take all!
The group behind this monthly event is Opus Affair, founded by South Carolina-native Graham Wright, which was dreamed up to bring the various artists, institutions and aficionados in the Boston-area together to celebrate their shared interests. Not only does it provide the platform for a healthy dose of competition between organizations that encompass distinct niches within the art world but it also gives them the chance to compare notes and expand their reach. Wright, an accomplished local opera singer, first felt inspired to develop such a program when noting the discrepancy between those who are working backstage at art events and those attending the events. He recounts, "I got tired of hearing people complaining that people in their 20s and 30s don't support arts organizations. It might be true that you don't see many young faces in the audience of the opera, ballet, symphony, etc., but as someone working behind-the-scenes with those organizations, I saw first hand that there were plenty of artists and staff members in those demographics--probably the majority."
Hearing Wright's comments remind us here at BR&S why we're doing what we're doing, which makes us all the more honored that Big Red & Shiny is one of the three September non-profits featured at this month's event! We're up against Cambridge Concentus, a fantastic and worthy music organization, and Bad Habit Productions, a confident and persuasive theater production group. It looks like stiff competition to us, so we'd love for you to show up, buy a ticket and make sure we win! The more BR&S people that turn out for the event, the better, so bring your art-loving friends and meet us there. Wear red to show your support!
Opus Affair's September event will be Monday the 17th from 6-9pm at FORUM (755 Boylston Street, Boston). They ask that you register for free online via their website before the event.
