On Thursday, in celebration of the Bohm’s five year anniversary since its reopening, Friends of the Bohm hosted their second annual Toast to the Bohm fundraiser with a theme of “Casablanca.”
Friends of the Bohm is a non-profit founded in 2011 with the goal of restoring and maintaining the Bohm theater. Friends of the Bohm accomplishes this by having memberships and holding fundraising events like the one held on Thursday.
Upon entry, the attendants were greeted by loudspeakers playing Middle-Eastern music. Carts adorned with Moroccan-themed goods surrounded the far left door that led to the theater. Those who entered through that door were greeted by Aurelia Wade, who worked a stand that provided the guests with Henna tattoos upon request. Making their way to the stage, guests also witnessed a styrofoam replica of a plane suspended above their heads.
The event on Thursday started with attendants gathering in the theater for conversation, appetizers and champagne. Once all attendants arrived, they made their way to the stage, where they took their seats and helped themselves to Moroccan-themed cuisine.
After dinner was completed, desserts and wine were brought out, and the attendants settled in the theatre to prepare for the movie. Once the screen and projector were set up, “Casablanca” played.
Event organization
Firekeepers Casino catered the event, supplying food and tables. Champagne and non-alcoholic beverages were provided by Albion College alumni, Richard Reed. Wine was provided by Friends of the Bohm board member, Richard Lewin, and desserts were donated to the event by Albion local, Terri Nelson. Vice-chair of the Friends of the Bohm board, Gail Reed, was the event coordinator.
Above everything, Reed credits the Albion community with the success of the event.
“There has been tremendous support from people that are in the town,” said Reed. “We charged $125 for this event. This is the third event in Albion at that price, and tickets had sold [out] in the first week.”
Originally, only 65 tickets were made available for the whole event. Demand was so high after the original tickets sold out that additional tickets, which only gave attendees access to the desserts and the movie, were sold for $25.
Many of those who attended the event, like Albion College Alumni, Marcia Starkey, grew up in Albion when the Bohm was still in disrepair. They expressed how happy they were to see how far it has come.
“I grew up in Albion when the theater was still run down,” said Starkey. “It’s kind of fun to see the theater all dressed up like this.”
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