Singer Sara Evans to perform at Mesquite ISD event

by Kenny Green of Star Local News

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Country singer Collin Raye will also perform.

Another powerful voice is headed to Mesquite.

The MISD Education Foundation has booked award-winning country music singer Sara Evans as the featured performer for its annual fundraising dinner and concert event April 14 at Mesquite's Resistol Arena, 1818 Rodeo Drive.

“This is an annual event. Every year we have a gala committee that who we think our donors and the community would enjoy,” said Linda Lentz, foundation executive director. “A lot of it comes down to artist availability and price. This year Sara Evans was a popular choice for the committee because we all know who she is.”

This is the sixth year the foundation has hosted the concert-fundraiser. Past performers include Robert Earl Keen, Lonestar, Three Dog Night, KC and the Sunshine Band and Martina McBride.

“This is a spectacular event that past gala sponsors and concertgoers look forward to all year,” Lentz said. “It’s so special to have someone of Sara Evans’ stature perform for us in such an intimate venue. And the concert is just part of the fun. We hope to attract even more community-minded citizens and fans of Sara to our event.”

Tickets for the concert only will go on sale Monday, March 5 at ticketmaster.com or at the arena’s box office, 1818 Rodeo Drive. The cost of tickets ranges from $18 to $85.

Table sponsorships for the event are available at $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 and may be purchased from the MISD Education Foundation by calling 972-882-8779 or going to mesquitefoundation.org. A table sponsorship includes a pre-concert meal at 6 p.m.

The event will also feature a live dessert presentation at 7 p.m. with opening act, Rockwall resident Collin Raye to perform following the presentation at 7:15 p.m.

“We added an opening act because we are always trying to change things to offer a better quality event,” Lentz said. “We are looking forward to him and feel most people will be familiar with at least one of his songs.”

When Raye’s set ends at 8 p.m., the foundation will begin its live auction until 8:30 p.m. when Evans will take the stage.

The foundation would like to raise $100,000 or more this year through the event.

All the money raised is dispersed into the school district. The foundation has a mini-grant process that allows teachers to submit proposed programs for funding. The applications for funding are submitted and then entered into a blind screening process during which the foundation’s committee evaluates the programs and determines which ones receive funding.

“We want to reach six figures this year,” Lentz said. “This is the largest fundraising event of the year for us and we are hoping to raise a lot of money. Now more than ever, [with the state budget cuts], foundations are at the forefront of school districts trying to help educate the kids.”

The foundation will also hold live and online auctions as part of the event. The online auction is scheduled to begin approximately one week before the concert and will conclude a few weeks after the gala. Those interested in participating in the online auction can view the items and bid at mesquitefoundation.org. Among the items expected to be auctioned include sports packages, vacation home stays, autographed memorabilia and a diamond drawing, which features 199 cubic zirconia rings and one real diamond ring. A random participant in the drawing will learn that they have won a real diamond ring during the event.

“There will be no silent auction this year since we are offering a special guest (Raye). We really wanted to be able to keep things moving and we are focusing more efforts on our online and live auctions,” Lentz said.

For information on the foundation and its events visit www.mesquitefoundation.org.

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