The Sweet Home Auditorium Remodel Committee will host the SHARC Showdown talent contest, its first fund-raising event, next week.
The show begins at 7 p.m. in the auditorium, 1641 Long St. About a dozen contestants have committed, and the committee is continuing to accept additional performers. Entry into the contest is free. Admission for spectators is $5. Admission for students is $3.
They are competing for a pair of three-day passes to the Oregon Jamboree, Aug. 1-3, featuring Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Jake Owen and Billy Currington, as well as passes to the Guitars Under the Stars festival in Lebanon, Aug. 8-10, featuring Lita Ford, Ty Curtis, Floater, Pat Travers, Gary Hoey and Tony MacAlpine.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three performers and to the People’s Choice. Votes for the people’s choice will cost a quarter each. The performer with the most votes wins, so organizers encourage participants to bring out their friends and family.
The Elks Lodge will serve burgers and hot dogs during the event. Proceeds will benefit the SHARC project.
“We need funds for remodeling the High School auditorium,” said Shirley Austin, whose suggestion prompted the formation of SHARC and the project.
SHARC hopes to raise funds, outside of in-kind donations and grants, Austin said. “We thought a contest would be fun.”
And it will give people a chance to see the work that’s already completed in the auditorium, she said.
The auditorium and stage are in poor condition in many areas. The stage itself needed refinishing, and walls have numerous holes. The curtains are stained, and the lighting substandard.
SHARC’s goal is to repair the facility and then paint it, purchase new curtains, install a sound system and install new lighting. Total, the project will cost up to $100,000.
Repairs will be complete in time for painting to begin on July 12, said SHARC Chairman Ron Sharrah. Already, the stage has been repaired and primed.
SHARC is seeking volunteers to assist volunteer painter Jim Swinehart with the taping, masking and whatever other help he needs. For information, contact Ron Sharrah at (541) 231-7303.
SHARC is planning a second fund-raising event on July 31 when country music band and Jamboree veteran Cloverdayle will help kick off Jamboree weekend. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Sweet Home Elks Lodge, 440 Osage St. The doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Cloverdayle has donated its time for the SHARC effort.
So far, SHARC has raised nearly $10,000 in cash donations, Sharrah said. The Elks National Foundation granted $2,000. High school students donated $1,000 from their Jamboree ice crew program. A private donor has promised $1,000. Another private donor has given $5,000 to the project, and performing arts students donated gratuities from their service at an Elks Lodge dinner.
Sharrah is currently working on several grants. He has submitted one application for $10,000 and plans to submit at least two more for up to $20,000 each.
If SHARC successfully raises more than it needs for its current scope of work, Sharrah said, the auditorium still needs work. The carpet is stained, and several seats are broken.
Cash donations are tax-deductible and should be given through the Elks Lodge, (541) 367-3559.
To submit an entry form for the SHARC Showdown, visit the SHARC showdown page on Facebook and find the link to the SHARC shownd “Wufoo” form. Use a laptop or desktop. The form does not function correctly with mobile devices. You may also pick up a form and return it to The New Era office.
Call Sean Morgan for information, (503) 580-1045.