Annual affair returns Feb. 6

For the City Times

An evening of visual art, design, dance and theater experiences at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will feature emcee Susan Spencer Varela, a 1989 alumna and Broadway actress.

Arts Bash 2016 will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, from 7-10:30 p.m., at the Noel Fine Arts Center, 1800 Portage Street. The event features student dance and theater performances, an art sale, CinePoint 2015 student videos, students drawing portraits and the popular “Blood, Guts and Gore” stage makeup demonstration. Local establishments will provide food and beverages.

A sale of donated artworks by professional artists, faculty, alumni and current students from the Department of Art and Design begins at 7 p.m., followed by student performances at 7:30 p.m. A dance party will begin around 9:30 p.m. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine and beer will be served, and a cash bar will be available. Guests are encouraged to wear expressive attire.

“I’m thrilled to be back at UW-Stevens Point and honored to be hosting this incredible event,” said Spencer Varela.

Her Broadway and national tour credits include “Les Misérables,” “Little Women: The Musical,” “Evita” and “Cats.” She has performed at Radio City Music Hall in “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber” and in regional productions of “Into the Woods,” “Passion,” “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and “Sweeney Todd.” She is featured in commercials for Kohls, Olay, Steinhafels, Fleet Farm and the Wisconsin Lottery and was in the TLC show “A Baby Story” with her husband, actor Andrew Varela.

The primary fundraiser for the Departments of Theatre and Dance and Art and Design, Arts Bash has raised more than $250,000 for student scholarships and programs since its inception in 2003.

Tickets are $50 in advance through Jan. 29 at the UWSP ticket office, tickets.uwsp.edu or $75 at the door. For more information or sponsorship inquiries, contact Julie Sittler at (715) 346-3956 or [email protected]. Event photos and links also are on the UW-Stevens Point College of Fine Arts and Communication Facebook page.