American Gothic Performing Arts and Bridge View Center will be celebrating the opening of the 2024 Performing Arts Festival and the creative catalyst that Bridge View Center has become in the community for the performing arts and entertainment events.
The Arts Gala promises to be an unabashedly bold evening featuring valet parking, a pre-party with hors d’oeuvres, live music by The Dave Sharp Trio, and cocktails by Appanoose Rapids 1933 Mixologists Aven Helgerson and Jodi Helmold, followed by an elegant 5-course meal prepared and introduced by star chefs, VenuWorks Executive Chef Chris Carton and Thomas Roberson. Brooke Bouma, Former WHO-TV Anchor & Host of IPTV’s Road Trip Iowa, will be the emcee for the evening.
The evening will be capped off with performances from the 2024 festival season mainstage artists. All proceeds will equally benefit theater upgrades at Bridge View Center and American Gothic Performing Arts summer programming.
American Gothic Performing Arts Executive Artistic Director Dennis Wilhoit states “We are going to push the limits in celebration of the performing arts! We are excited to kick off our 12th season with an unabashedly bold Arts Gala with our incomparable partner Bridge View Center.”
5:30pm Cocktail Pre-Party with music by The Dave Sharp Trio sponsored by Appanoose Rapids 1933
7:00pm Champagne Toast, followed by Dinner and Program – Support provided by Bridge View Center & VenuWorks
Auction items for the event include:
Chef’s Table Premium Dinner for 8 – provided by Bridge View Center
Premium Wine Basket – provided by Bridge View Center
2 Tickets to Heart – provided by Iowa Events Center
Oak Ridge Boys signed guitar – provided by VenuWorks
4 Producer Passes and Dinner (Chanhassan Dinner Theatre) – provided by VenuWorks
Afternoon at Lake Thunderhead with Dinner for 6 – provided by Ted and Dianne Haas
Soup-6 for 6 months (Sept-Feb) – provided by Ted and Dianne Haas
2 $50 Gift Cards for Wissota Chophouse – provided by Wissota Chophouse
John Deere Golf Classic Package – tickets, parking pass, and more – provided by John Deere Ottumwa Works
Menu items for the evening are as follows:
Amuse-Bouche
Guld Shrimp and Antebellum Grits
Creamy Cheddar Anson Mills Antebellum Grits with Blackened Jumbo Gulf Shrimp, Andouille Sausage, in a rich and creamy Étouffée Sauce
Chilled Soup
Melon and Basil Gazpacho
Chilled Melon and Basil Gazpacho with crispy Prosciutto and Crème Fraiche
Crisp Ensalada
Farmland Beet Salad
Pickled Golden Beets, Roasted Red Beets, Beet Coulis, Whipped Goat Cheese, Carrot, Watermelon Radish, Arugula, Walnut Vinaigrette
Chef’s Entrée Courses
Slow Roasted, Ancho Crusted Iowa Beef Tenderloin
Locally Raised Slow Roasted, Ancho Crusted Beef Tenderloin Medallions with Sauteed Oyster and Chanterelle Mushroom, Charmed Broccolini, Blistered Heirloom Tomatoes, Crisp Fingerling Potatoes, served with Chimichurri Sauce
Seared Chilean Bass
Seared Chilean Sea Bass aside steamed Cilantro Jasmin Rice, Baby Bok Choy, Pineapple Relish, all served over a Coconut Milk Green Curry
Harissa Glazed Carrots*
Harissa Glazed Baby Rainbow Carrots, Lentils, Grilled Onion, Braised Fennel, with Fermented Black Garlic Greek Yogurt Sauce
Delicate Dessert
Dark Chocolate Grand Piano Medley
72% Cocoa Chocolate Grand Piano, presented with Fresh Organic Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and Strawberries, Spring of Mint and Frangelico Hazelnut Mousse
