Mar 9, 2012 3 min read

Friends of Market Street Arts, the non-profit group responsible for Brownsville’s Market Street Arts Festival, has selected Salvador Dali and his wife/model, Gala, as the theme for its March 24 fundraiser at 33 Market St. in downtown Brownsville. Festivities will begin at 6:30 pm.

According to Friends Executive Director Susan Sparks, the Dali+Gala, a brain-child of Market Street Academy Director Emily Lapisardi, “is a clever, artsy premise, which simultaneously provides funding and increases community and regional visibility. The Salvador and Gala Dali theme provides a bit of wit and scope for creativity, while also allowing flexibility.” Lapisardi explained the title: “The plus sign is silent, but it creates the visual image of Dali’s artistic partnership with his wife, Gala.”

The Dali+Gala, a ticketed event, held on all three floors of 33 Market St., will feature performances by WQED personality Anna Singer; Pittsburgh-based pianist and singer Ray Blackwell; photos taken and transformed into a Dali artwork by Susanne and Randolf Widmer; conversations with Gala Dali portrayed by Lapisardi; an auction featuring the works of regional professional artists; a Dali Gala-ry, a “make and take” art project, which provides blank masks to be painted and decorated.

Guests may don Dali-esque moustaches with the assistance of famed designer Coco Chanel, portrayed by Jamie Kegg. They also may write or draw their dreams and visions for this year’s Market Street Arts Festival on the “idea wall,” and enjoy tapas-style refreshment, including eye-ball cookies and other Dali inspired delights.

“We are thrilled that Anna Singer and Ray Blackwell have agreed to perform at the Dali+Gala,” Lapisardi said. “Anna is well known for her ebullient personality as one of WQED-fm’s radio hosts, but she is also an internationally renowned operatic soprano.

“Blackwell, who performs internationally as well, is a vocal coach at Carnegie Mellon University. Anna and Ray were the perfect choice for the Dali+Gala because of their strong advocacy for creative endeavors in the region, and their delightfully unexpected recital programming.”

Reservations for the Dali+Gala are encouraged. A donation will be expected with reservations, Sparks said.

“And though we plan activities for all three floors, there are limits to the number of people we can accommodate, so it behooves Dali enthusiasts to sign up early for this clock-melting good time,” Sparks added.

Reservations may be secured through the Friends’ e-mail site at MarketStArts@gmail.com or by calling The Market Street Academy at 724-880-3801.

Guests will be provided with some means of identification at check-in, which will allow them to participate in the activities and circulate freely through all three floors of the former Odd Fellows Hall.

, now Market Street Academy and Performing Arts Center.

“Dali was a bit of an odd fellow himself,” Lapisardi quipped, “so that seems fitting.”