Posted 11:15 am Friday, August 03, 2012
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Black Tie Bingo Scheduled August 11 To Benefit Downtown Revitalization
By JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS
jsimmons@tylerpaper.com
Those scandalous days of the secret speakeasy are back, at least temporarily, as Heart of Tyler prepares to roll out its fifth annual Black Tie Bingo.
jsimmons@tylerpaper.com
Those scandalous days of the secret speakeasy are back, at least temporarily, as Heart of Tyler prepares to roll out its fifth annual Black Tie Bingo.
Set to the roaring 20s theme of “Putting on the Ritz,” the Aug. 11 event is expected to be the “cat's pajamas,” Debbie Johnson Arredondo, Heart of Tyler public relations chairwoman, said.
“This is like a real speakeasy,” she said. “You buy a ticket to learn the location. I think it's going to be the best Black Tie Bingo we've had.”
Ingrid Young is credited with organizing and chairing the event.
The occasion, set for 6:30 to 11 p.m., is expected to include “high-stakes” bingo, mystery, flappers, gangers and a few other surprises at a spot known only as “HOT Spot 226.”
A speakeasy, which grew in prominence from 1920 to 1933 during prohibition, refers to an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages illegally.
“It really is a fun event and every year it takes a totally new angle,” Main Street Director Beverly Abell said. “You haven't really lived until you see a bunch of people in tuxes and gowns playing bingo.”
The event is expected to feature Charleston dances, games, “giggle water,” hors d'oeuvres and a variety of door prizes.
Jazz musicians and dan-cers from Tyler Junior College have been tapped as entertainers.
Elliott's Jewelers is providing a special grand prize to commemorate the occasion: an 18-karat white gold vintage design filigree diamond necklace that retails for $2,450.
In a separate gift opportunity also from Elliott's, guests can buy silver trinket boxes for $35 with a surprise gem tucked inside.
For now, at least, the place to find all this fun remains a mystery.
“We won't reveal the secret location until you buy your tickets,” Mrs. Arredondo said.
Tickets are $100 each and all proceeds benefit the Heart of Tyler, a nonprofit devoted to downtown revitalization.
Ingrid Young is credited with organizing and chairing the event.
The occasion, set for 6:30 to 11 p.m., is expected to include “high-stakes” bingo, mystery, flappers, gangers and a few other surprises at a spot known only as “HOT Spot 226.”
A speakeasy, which grew in prominence from 1920 to 1933 during prohibition, refers to an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages illegally.
“It really is a fun event and every year it takes a totally new angle,” Main Street Director Beverly Abell said. “You haven't really lived until you see a bunch of people in tuxes and gowns playing bingo.”
The event is expected to feature Charleston dances, games, “giggle water,” hors d'oeuvres and a variety of door prizes.
Jazz musicians and dan-cers from Tyler Junior College have been tapped as entertainers.
Elliott's Jewelers is providing a special grand prize to commemorate the occasion: an 18-karat white gold vintage design filigree diamond necklace that retails for $2,450.
In a separate gift opportunity also from Elliott's, guests can buy silver trinket boxes for $35 with a surprise gem tucked inside.
For now, at least, the place to find all this fun remains a mystery.
“We won't reveal the secret location until you buy your tickets,” Mrs. Arredondo said.
Tickets are $100 each and all proceeds benefit the Heart of Tyler, a nonprofit devoted to downtown revitalization.
More than $100 million has been spent over the years to breathe new life back into downtown through property renovations, public investments and sales, Mrs. Abell said.
“This (revitalization) has been 20 years of hard work,” she said.
For information on ticket purchases, call 903-593-6905 or visit www.heartoftyler. com/BlackTieBingo.htm.
Black Tie Sponsor is Boozer DentalWorks with support from these Top Hat supporters: R.W. Fair Foundation; Garrett & Associates, General Contractors; Kitchens Unique; Regions Bank; Elliott's Jewelers and Giglio Distributing Company.
Game and ticket underwriters include Brookshire's Grocery Company; Butler Architectural Group; Findlay Craft, LLP; Freese and Nichols, Inc.; Latta Family Dentistry, Paul N. Latta, DDS; and Southside Bank.
Event hosts include Debbie and Price Arredondo; Liz and Brian Ballard; Cindy and Allen Bell; Lori and Brian Bell; Lori and Travis Booher; Stephanie and Kent Boozer; Gillian Brasfield; Ann and Mike Butler; Nancy and Russell Cooper; Cornerstone Brokerage, Audrey Pongetti; cue: creative, Ron Stafford; Marcia Daughtrey; Linda and Jim Denson; Dobbs and Tittle, P.C.; Easy Roofing; Kelly and Sen. Kevin Eltife; Emily and Jim Evans; Wanda and Jose Feliciano; Forrest Meadows, LLC; Laurie Ann and Stan Frank; Gollob Morgan Peddy; Hon. Judge Judith Guthrie; and Matthew Watson.
Also, Ginger and Fred Haberle; Michelle and Martin Heines; Micheal Jones; Rosemary and Walter Jones; Mary Kay and Bill Lust; Diane and Sam Mezayek; Ally and Julian Rayzor; Rega of Paris Home Consignment; SWS Financial Services, John T. Payne; Lynne Short; Patrice and Jerry Stine; Barbara and Brian Stone; Stonebridge Heating & Air Conditioning; Stephen Taylor; Vasso & Associates, Ameriprise; Watkins Insurance; Audrey and Alan Wharton; Trudy and Jeff Williams; Willow Wellness Center, PA; and Ingrid and Bobby Young.
“This (revitalization) has been 20 years of hard work,” she said.
For information on ticket purchases, call 903-593-6905 or visit www.heartoftyler. com/BlackTieBingo.htm.
Black Tie Sponsor is Boozer DentalWorks with support from these Top Hat supporters: R.W. Fair Foundation; Garrett & Associates, General Contractors; Kitchens Unique; Regions Bank; Elliott's Jewelers and Giglio Distributing Company.
Game and ticket underwriters include Brookshire's Grocery Company; Butler Architectural Group; Findlay Craft, LLP; Freese and Nichols, Inc.; Latta Family Dentistry, Paul N. Latta, DDS; and Southside Bank.
Event hosts include Debbie and Price Arredondo; Liz and Brian Ballard; Cindy and Allen Bell; Lori and Brian Bell; Lori and Travis Booher; Stephanie and Kent Boozer; Gillian Brasfield; Ann and Mike Butler; Nancy and Russell Cooper; Cornerstone Brokerage, Audrey Pongetti; cue: creative, Ron Stafford; Marcia Daughtrey; Linda and Jim Denson; Dobbs and Tittle, P.C.; Easy Roofing; Kelly and Sen. Kevin Eltife; Emily and Jim Evans; Wanda and Jose Feliciano; Forrest Meadows, LLC; Laurie Ann and Stan Frank; Gollob Morgan Peddy; Hon. Judge Judith Guthrie; and Matthew Watson.
Also, Ginger and Fred Haberle; Michelle and Martin Heines; Micheal Jones; Rosemary and Walter Jones; Mary Kay and Bill Lust; Diane and Sam Mezayek; Ally and Julian Rayzor; Rega of Paris Home Consignment; SWS Financial Services, John T. Payne; Lynne Short; Patrice and Jerry Stine; Barbara and Brian Stone; Stonebridge Heating & Air Conditioning; Stephen Taylor; Vasso & Associates, Ameriprise; Watkins Insurance; Audrey and Alan Wharton; Trudy and Jeff Williams; Willow Wellness Center, PA; and Ingrid and Bobby Young.
