Theatre Aspen to Honor Philanthropist Betty Gates at HOT! HOT! HOT! Gala, 3/7

Theatre Aspen announced that its annual costume fundraiser takes place Saturday, March 7th, featuring the theme "HOT! HOT! HOT!" The organization, celebrating its thirty-second year, will hold the gala at the Hotel Jerome, with dinner, DJ, silent and live auctions, special entertainment and dancing. Last year's "Disco Ball" sold out, with more than 220 guests attending.

Theatre Aspen's winter gala is the not-for-profit's most important fundraising event, raising money for an extensive year-round education program and an award-winning summer repertory theatre, as well as a new, end-of-summer festival for new and innovative works of theatre.

Theatre Aspen is taking the opportunity to honor longtime board member Betty Gates. Betty and husband Bob moved to the valley in 1984 and Betty quickly became an Aspen arts supporter, joining the boards of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Theater Masters, Les Dames d'Aspen. The National Jewish Hospital in Denver honored both Betty and Bob for their philanthropy in the Roaring Fork Valley. "We like to help those organizations that are really in need rather than established ones," says Gates. "We like to help them get on the right track and most often financial assistance is the best way."

This year's special guest auctioneer is Robbie Gordy, a Features Writer and Charity Auctioneer at Christie's New York. A Fulbright Scholar and graduate of London's Courtauld Institute of Art, Robbie studied nineteenth-century European painting and sculpture, as well as Modern and Contemporary art, before joining Christie's London salerooms. He serves as a Charity Auctioneer for philanthropic organizations across the United States.

The 2015 season will be formally unveiled at the event. As previously announced, the Hurst Theatre opens June 26th, with the Tony® Award-winning musical CABARET. The season also includes Pulitzer Prize nominee Other Desert Cities, by "West Wing" writer Jon Robin Baitz, and a "magical play with music" to be announced at the gala. Younger audiences will be treated to Junie B. Jones The Musical, based on the Barbara Park book series, which will be presented on weekend mornings.

Sponsors for this year's gala include ANB Bank, the Hotel Jerome, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Christie's, Aspen Sojourner and Aspen Magazine.

For more information contact Development Associate Emma Bauer at 970-300-4421 or call the general number at 970-925-9313.www.theatreaspen.org.