With just two and a half weeks to go before the city’s premiere arts fundraising event, preparations are well underway and it is shaping up to be another fantastic night of fine food and great entertainment.

The Colombo Lodge will be transformed on November 1 with stunning art pieces from Brendan Tang, Jan Sasaki, Shima Iuchi and Doug Buis. The evening’s entertainment features musical performances by our own Peter Collins and Randi Edmundson, as well as Cvetozar Vutev. The Mayor’s Gala will also feature an excerpt from the recent Vancouver Fringe hit One More for the Road by George Ryga, performed by Jacques Lalonde. This year’s event will also feature a select silent auction; bid on a Rocky Mountaineer Rail trip to Jasper, or a number of get-away packages to Edmonton, Vancouver or even your own backyard! As well, this year we are adding a new element – the Chance Auction... Feeling lucky? Pay your money and see which of the great items you get – it’s all up to Chance!

The evening would not be complete without the presentation of the Mayor’s Award for the Arts, this year focussing on Excellence in Corporate Leadership. Mayor Terry Lake will be on hand to present the award – perhaps one of his last official duties as Mayor.

The Mayor’s Gala for the Arts promises to be a night to remember – don’t miss out, get your tickets today. The Mayor’s Gala for the Arts will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the Colombo Lodge and catered by Chef Shawn Harnett and At Your Service Catering. Tickets are $75 each (plus GST) and are available at Kamloops Live Box Office, 1025 Lorne Street or by calling 250-374-5483.

The Mayor’s Gala for the Arts gratefully acknowledges the support of the City of Kamloops, Kamloops Daily News, Menzies Printers, KPMG, Berwick on the Park and Kamloops Florist Ltd.

For more information, please contact Judy Basso (250-377-2400), Kathy Humphreys (250-372- 5000) or Samantha MacDonald (250-372-3216).