STARKVILLE — While libraries are typically quiet, the Starkville Public Library will be roaring Saturday night.
Starting at 6:30 p.m., the library is transforming into a 1920s jazz club as it hosts the second Grape Gatsby Gala.
Advance tickets are available for $25 at the library, but the price will increase to $35 at the door Saturday. The library is also still accepting individual and business sponsorships.
Phillip Carter, director for the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library System, said the gala is one of the library’s largest fundraisers every year, featuring wine, food and live music in a Prohibition-themed night. He said that patrons probably “won’t recognize the library” when they arrive.
“We also love using this event to pull people into the library and get them to think about the library in a totally different way,” Carter said. “If we just broke even and everyone had a great time and walked away … knowing that the library is more than just a place to get books, then I would consider that massive success.”
Library board president Sue Minchew said the gala was a wonderful chance to dance the night away last year. She is looking forward to doing even more dancing in the transformed library space again this year.
“It was fantastic,” Minchew said. “I couldn’t believe how wonderful it was. The library was absolutely transformed into a fantastic ‘20s-themed speakeasy. The circulation desk became a bar with a professional bartender. … The decor, you wouldn’t believe. It didn’t look like a library.”
Carter said the event was scheduled for this week as a part of National Library Week, which highlights everything libraries do for their communities.
Last year, the Grape Gatsby gala raised over $34,000 in tickets, sponsorships and donations.
Carter said donations are “desperately needed to help us shore up collections, programming and other needed services,” but there is no set dollar amount for this year.
How to go
■ WHAT: Grape Gatsby Gala
■ WHEN: Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
■ WHERE: Starkville Public Library, 326 University Drive
■ HOW: Advanced tickets are available at the library for $25. Day-of tickets will be available for $35.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 48 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 48 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion