By Jacob Mathias

The first-ever alley party to benefit the Arts Alliance of Portage County has sold out of tickets.

The party, to be held Friday, Sept. 11 from 7-9 PM in the Downtown Plaza Alley between Lee Ayers Jewelers and Shane Beversdorf’s State Farm Insurance office, will benefit the Arts Alliance of Portage County. The Arts Alliance aims to cultivate creativity and culture within Portage County.

Tickets were $22 and covered all party favors including food, drink and entertainment. Street-style food is provided by Bistro 212 and complimentary beer by Amherst-based Central Waters Brewing. Live music and local improv groups will provide the entertainment. Music will be provided by acoustic guitarist and vocalist Matt Reif. All funds raised will go toward the Create Portage County initiative which aims to increase creativity and culture in Portage County.

“We’re going to highlight the reason for this initiative and talk about that with the people who come but also just try to have a good time,” said Greg Wright, executive director of the Arts Alliance.

Due to the small space, only 40 tickets were sold for the Alley Party.

“This idea of throwing a party in a location don’t normally congregate is a way to get people downtown and to get people engaged with the community,” said Wright. “If this works, we can keep doing these and kind of bounce the party around to a different location every time.”

Part of the party will include a discussion by the Arts Alliance on creative place making and the Create Portage County initiative. Creative places proposed by the Arts Alliance include a working space, a creative classroom and a maker’s space with a 3-D printer, CAD and film software.

Also to discussed the party is something called the Idea Center though Wright said he couldn’t give any details about it at this time.

For more information on the Arts Alliance of Portage County, click here.