Gala celebrates Panida's past, sets stage for future

SANDPOINT — It's no coincidence that the inaugural Panida Moms Red Carpet Gala is taking place on Mother's Day weekend.

Panida director Robb Talbott and the historic theater's board wanted to honor the "Panida moms" — Susan Bates-Harbuck, Jane Evans and Laurel Wagers. The trio led a community effort in 1985 to raise the $75,000 down payment in roughly three months, buying the theater and saving it from being torn down.

In 1996 — just over a decade later — the trio burned a copy of the theater's mortgage on the Panida's main stage to celebrate the community theater.

"We're trying to pay respect to the past, the things that happened here at the Panida, while blazing a path forward for our community and to help take the Panida into the next 100 years," Talbott said.

Without the "Moms," Talbott said, the theater wouldn't have been saved and wouldn't continue to be around as the community's heart in downtown Sandpoint.

"If it wasn't for those three ladies and their efforts, the Panida could very well not be here," he said. "It is very unlikely that the Panida would be here as a community space. At the time, the odds were that it was going to be knocked down. So for them to put that energy and effort into saving it, we're just very thankful for that and want to pay respect to that."

The gala also is a chance to raise some much-needed funds.

"The gala is going to be the first of many and it's going to be a really fun time," Talbott said. "It's also really going to help with funding. It's kind of an uncertain time and we've lost some grant opportunities because of federal funding and with all that changing."

Simply put, Talbott said, the gala offers both a chance to celebrate the almost 100-year-old historic theater that anchors Sandpoint's downtown and support its future.

"We have this unique space, so we should make the event as unique as we are," Talbott said.

Playing on the strengths of the theater's staff, board and volunteers, Talbott said a variety show fit in perfectly, building off the legacy of Holly Eve and past celebrations aimed at helping the Panida.

The board and staff wanted to take the community feel of past events such as Holly Eve — part fashion show and part celebration — and reimagine it. As before, the goal would be to raise funds for the theater's operating budget.

The gala is part variety show — with everything from comedy, belly dancing, live music and magic — part auction and part celebration of the theater's role in the community. Performers include illusionist David Davinci, comedian Kaleb Keaton, pianist Matt Goodrich, Celtic musicians The Gothard Sisters, Lake Pend Oreille Repertory Theater performances, and dancer Julie Wise.

Local photographer Woods Wheatcroft will be acting in the guise of paparazzi to greet guests walking the red carpet into the theater.  Appetizer bites donated by local restaurants — among them 113 Main, The Bank, Spuds, Peppered Mercantile, Beet & Basil and MickDuff's — will be served and there will be a cocktail hour and silent and live auctions. Among the auction items are a chauffeured lake cruise, a tropical island condo stay, a night on the town in Spokane and more.

A paddle raise will be held to pay for reupholstering the theater's love seats and putting a railing on the balcony banister. Hosting the event will be Kate McAlister and Dyno Wahl.

Because many items, performances and appetizer bites have been donated, Talbott said most of the $75 ticket price will directly benefit the Panida. The May 9 event begins at 6 p.m.

Last year, the Panida hosted 129 events, not including rehearsals. This year, the theater is on pace to hold more than 150 events; again, not including rehearsals. Looking ahead to May, Talbott said all but two of the prime days of Thursday through Saturday are booked. He deliberately kept those days free due to staffing restrictions.

"I think a lot of people don't quite understand what it takes to put on 129 events. It's a lot," Talbott said. "It's an extreme amount of effort and passion. We have two full-time staff. We have two part-time staff. We have 30 volunteers and we have eight board members, who volunteer for concessions and help out as well."

In comparison, similar facilities, such as Boise's Egyptian Theater, host similar numbers of events but have three to four times the staff.

Fundraisers like the Panida Moms Red Carpet Gala help ensure adequate resources to operate the theater, fund renovation efforts, make much-needed repairs to the HVAC system and upgrade the stage lighting rig.

"There are a lot of little things that we need to start doing, but we have to have the staff to run the events first," Talbott said. "That's the foundation of it all, having the staff and having the money to keep the lights on."

Tickets and information: panida.org