The Tom Franke Gala is an annual fundraiser event for The Franke Center For The Arts. Join your fellow supporters of the arts for a magical night of music, entertainment, food and drinks benefitting The Franke Center–all in memory of one of The Franke Center’s founders and champions, Tom Franke.
The Gala is a two-part event. The first part is a mixer with dinner, special cocktails, prizes, and live entertainment in the Franke Center’s Downstage Club. The second part will be a Mainstage performance by The Dave Bennett Quartet.
THE FRANKE DOWNSTAGE CLUB – 5:30PM
The Gala
Join us for a special evening for Franke Center supporters! We’ll reflect on a fantastic 2024-2025 season, announce our next season, and honor a few special individuals. The night will include food, drinks, music, prizes, and more!
Your ticket will include a delicious dinner (menu TBA) and there will be live performances by some Franke Center favorites that you won’t want to miss.
All proceeds from the night will go to benefit Franke Center programming!
Mainstage – 8pm
The Dave Bennett Quartet
The Dave Bennett Quartet presents an intense and emotional musical experience. Bennett and his band perform hard driving swing, rockabilly, jazz, pop, gospel, and original songs. Listeners will recognize the influences of Benny Goodman, Pete Fountain, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles, Chris Isaak, Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins.
“We cover different genres.” Says Bennett. “So our audiences can have a ball hearing songs that they’ve grown up with and while introducing them to my own original music. My band and I have the greatest job in the world!”
Dave Bennett – Clarinet, Guitar, Piano, Vocal
Jeff Kressler – Piano
Ed Fedewa – Bass
Pete Siers – Drums
