First Stage’s 2011 Wine Dinner Surpasses Attendance and Revenue Goals

First Stage's 2011 Wine Dinner, was held on the evening of Friday, May 6, 2011 at the Westmoor Country Club, Brookfield. Guests turned out to enjoy the wines, culture and cuisine of Argentina in support of First Stage, Milwaukee's second largest theater company.

In just its second year First Stage's Wine Dinner surpassed attendance and revenue goals with 100 guests in attendance and over $32,000 raised during the evening. All proceeds from this event support First Stage's mission of transforming lives through theater, providing valuable financial support for First Stage's enriching Theater Productions and education programs.

Highlights of the evening included music by classic guitarist Peter Baime, a tango demonstration and performance by the Bailando Latin Dance Company, an extensive tasting of wines from around the world and a 5-course dinner inspired by the flavors of Argentina with featured wines by Vina Cobos Felino. Throughout the evening guests bid on a variety of silent and live auction items including remarkable wine lots, tickets to performing arts and more. A two bottle lot of Marcassin Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were highlights of the voice auction.

First Stage would like to thank Co-Chairs Janet and Greg Schmeling and Wine Dinner Committee Members Amy and Bob Arzbaecher, Amy and Jon Hopkins, Michele and Dan Nelson, and Barbara and Thomas Slawski. First Stage also thanks our generous sponsors, contributors, and auction donors who made this event possible.

About First Stage
Celebrating our 25th anniversary in the 2011-2012 season, First Stage has become one of the nation's most acclaimed children's theaters and the second largest theater company in Milwaukee. First Stage is committed to new play development, presenting nearly 40 world premieres in its history, collaborating with renowned artists such as Harry Connick, Jr. and Stephen Schwartz, and award-winning authors Lois Lowry and Cornelia Funke. In addition to professional Theater Productions for families, First Stage transforms lives through theater with its unparalleled Theater Academy that fosters life skills through stage skills, the largest theater training program of its kind in the nation; and our dynamic Theater in Education programs that promote active learning in our schools and community, serving nearly 20,000 each year. First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education and Americans for the Arts, as well as Theatre Wisconsin and Milwaukee Arts Partners, and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).

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