TASTE OF SPENCER Fundraiser Party and Auction Announced

Make a splash at the Spencer Theater's "Taste of the Spencer" fundraiser, a spectacular evening of gourmet food tastings, generous pours of fine wine, and live and silent auctions of over 200 items from far and wide! The festive night raises money for the operations of the rurally located, non-profit performance hall and its mission to help expand the cultural horizons of residents and visitors in New Mexico.

Kicking-off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 on both levels of the Spencer's Crystal Lobby, the "Taste" affair features delectable foods like prime rib and roasted turkey carving stations, jumbo shrimp cocktail and smoked salmon, a signature variety of vegetarian and grilled hors d'oeuvres, and numerous sweet & savory desserts (all foods are being prepared by the Spencer's executive chef and catering/hospitality crew.). While noshing, bid on the finely displayed silent auction items. The rapid-fire live auction will be held on stage with table seating (enjoy your dessert, fresh coffee and drinks while bidding) and will be steered by auctioneer Steve Talbot. Free giveaway prizes for bidders present during the live auction will further spice the evening of fun.

Hot ticket items this year are dreamy stays in Puerto Vallarta and Honolulu, a $10,000 shopping spree at Santa Fe Furniture & Gifts, a 1887 Colt Sheriff's model single action army revolver.45 caliber with very rare 3" barrel, a 2017 John Deere Compact Utility Tractor, pallets of cut paver stones, designer garden accent pieces, western bronzes by Ken Payne and Lincoln Fox, a custom-made leather mountain saddle with a 15 1/2" seat by Rick Simpson with custom-made silver pedants by Simon Gomez, an Auerbach mink shall, a Pendleton pure virgin wool blanket, a 6 person Hot Tub Spa and a 2 person hot Tub Spa, a trip to Cuba, a private villa in Lisbon, Portugal, a trip to Bali with private villa, deep sea fishing in the Yucatan, a dazzling John Hardy braided sterling silver with black sapphire bracelet, ancient Danish metalwork, hand-crafted cast iron woks and fire pit, authentic pueblo pottery from the historic Bennett's Trading Post, a 1960 diamond & emerald gold necklace, Chihuly glass bulbs, a Polaris ATV, a flatbed trailer, a Cozzia massage chair, Sedona & Santa Fe getaways, a classic car from the Ron McWhorter collection, a 2016 Kawasaki Vulcan Cruiser, income tax preparation for the 2017 tax year, a Mata Ortiz oval pot and medicine bowl, group wine tastings in Napa Valley and in Texas hill country, a 2017 Lincoln Continental, a 2017 Cadillac Escalade, a 1983 Zimmer Golden Spirit, a 2016 Honda CRF250 dirt bike, an Amazon Fire Tablet, exclusive golf club membership, symphony tickets, Robert Flaherty Photography, country superstar autographed guitars, vehicle oil changes, personalized treatments at Fusion Medical Spa; Early American, Western, European and Asian antiques & fine art, original quilt work. heirloom silver, $1,200 in legal services provided by JulieAnne H. Leonard PC (estate planning, family law, elder law or civil litigation), bed & breakfast stays, kitchenware, home furnishings, auto care, landscaping, beauty salon gift baskets and treatments, craft beer, fine vodka, wine & spirits - and just countless objet d'art! A full listing of items is available online at www.spencertheater.com or call 575.336.4800.

It's all part of the 10th annual "Taste of the Spencer," the much anticipated party that is truly a community-wide effort. Funds raised during the "Taste" are critical to the venue's annual operations. In a separate appeal pitched during the live auction, monies are to be raised for a 11'x 20' foot electronic sign to improve advertising promotional display of performances & special events. The state-of-art sign will be located at the state Highway 70 entrance to Ruidoso.

"We are so incredibly pleased and thankful for the tremendous response to our fundraiser," says Charles Centilli, Executive Director of the Spencer. "Package trips, art, antiques, jewelry, wine, household items, collectibles, health and legal services- it's all been pouring in over the last few weeks. We're honored to have such generosity from individuals and businesses. All these donations -- and the overall participation by everyone attending the June 17 party helps to further the Spencer's mission and secure its state-of-art performance future. We thank you for your support!"

Centilli goes on to say the annual "Taste" auction directly supports the mass appeal of the two-decade-old facility, which continually draws patrons and tourists from all over the world.

"We hope everyone will come out and enjoy the party and all this great food, wine and coffee while sharing in the fun of supporting this magnificent theater. Surely there'll be several items in the auctions that'll win your bid! Who knows, you might just walk out of here with a dream item - or simply an amazing bargain on something that's just right for you!"

Tickets to the "Taste of the Spencer" are just $65 (all inclusive) and are available at www.spencertheater.com or call 575.336.4800. All auction items are listed on the theater's website at www.spencertheater.com for viewing and information.