Auction in photos

Whew! I just spent two hours on the phones and it was exhilerating! Thank you to all of our friends and members calling in, and keep it up. I'm still out of breath, so here are is a short collection of moments, quiet and not so quiet, over the last couple of hours (taken by our fabulous graphics intern Raphael)

awed and inspired

Maybe it's like being on the stock market floor (perhaps at least in years past) as people wave thier arms and shout bids as the hour closes and final bidding wars erupt. A set of four Ravens tickets are still going from the last quater hour, now approaching $1,300-- a touching tribute to both the love of the sport and the dedication to support CENTERSTAGE. And as the bid closes out the room of staff and volunteers erupt into cheers of gratitude.

None of the shy, quiet card waving of the typical auction, this is fast paced excitement as people vie for incredible offerings for a great cause. I'm consistently blown away today by the involvement of our volunteers and the excitement this event garners-- no wonder people talk about it all year! As we enter the busiest hours, things get more frantic. Listen in at 1090 am or WBAL radio online and you'll hear the chorus of cheers as a top bid breaks out from the pack echo behind the local celebrity auctioneers (right now listen for WJZ's Sally Thorner!)

The spirit of excitement-- for both the hard earned prizes won as well as the wonderful show of support-- is amazing.

Don't forget eBay!

Wow! what an exciting hour... an all access pass to the Maryland Film Festival topped at $400 (but don't worry, there is another one up for grabs at 7 pm). Right now we're seeing a great deals at the top of the hour for a stay in the Dominican Republic (I'm keeping my eye on that one) and a week in Duck, North Carolina!

On our eBay auction page, there are still some real steals, and a few hot collectors items-- including several items from the Tea at Five production with Kate Mulgrew, including her costume, which is going for a steal-- this item is up until 10pm tonight, so don't miss out!

*****

Whether running up and down the stairs or answering the phones, what keeps our volunteers running? A steady stream of food and refreshments has been graciously donated-- from home-baked cakes from our very own docents to ham and sandwiches, plus a box full of the unique Balitmore delicacy, Berger cookies! These sugar packed snacks, a local favorite, show up in bulk every year to keep the blood sugar pumped up for all the action.

*****

The water main break hasn't shut down the auction! In record time we had facilities set up (just in case) outside the theater, to be sure our volunteers were taken care of. So far we still have water, but just in case, be prepared, be prepared, be prepared!

And the excitement continues!

I've been hearing about the annual Auction for CENTERSTAGE since coming to the theater in September (and, as a local, have often followed the exciting list of items being auctioned each year for much longer). But that really doesn't prepare you for the great excitement--and incredible deals-- of the actual event. I won my first bid, getting a fabulous package of tickets to the opening night of the Maryland Film Festival and a poster signed by John Waters, but alas I was out bid on a stunning etching by artist Ruth Channing.

The bidding wars have already started, including a great deal on a catering package for an engagement party.

Here's a first-hand look inside the action, including Managing Director Debbie Chinn with Sydney Wilner our auction coordinator, and guest auctioneer Chris Noya from Stevenson University (the auction sponsor); floor leader Adam Rubin supervises a bidding war at the end of hour.

Exciting morning!

A loud buzzer just sounded in the room full of shouting volunteers and phones ringing like mad... a large sign is waved "2-Minute Warning" and the clatter of phones increases...

It's 11:20 am and the Auction for CENTERSTAGE is well underway-- phones have been going since 8 am. Adding to flurry is the breaking action on Calvert and Madison as the streets gush from the water main break early this morning is still flooding the area.

But while performances of Fabulation are unfortunately canceled (don't worry! the box office is frantically calling patrons, if you have tickets, email boxoffice@centerstage.org to reschedule), in here the show goes on!

This annual fundraiser has been the talk of the theater all month, and now we sit in the midst. Local celebrity auctioneer Dan Rodericks was among the volunteers making frantic calls this morning to help get portable toilets to the theater for when the limited water we still have is shut off.

Meanwhile, the last 15 minute segment is closing out and there are great deals being made-- a package to the Allenberry Resort Inn & Playhouse is going for a steal of $180m and the hour-long items (including a Christmas holiday in Orlando) are still going strong.

I'll be back to update you on the excitement, but don't forget to check out www.centerstage.org for all the items up in the next hour!

~Heather

Auction for CENTERSTAGE!

Sunday marks the 32nd Baltimore Sun Auction for CENTERSTAGE. This annual event features 16 fast-paced hours of auctioning off a bevvy of great prizes, from trips and dining around town to exotic location (and prime seats for next season's Orioles' and Ravens' games!) The auction will be broadcast live on WBAL 1090 AM all day.

Take a sneak peek at all the items being auctioned hourly in this weekends Baltimore Sun MAIN section, or visit auction.centerstage.org for a full list. Also, a great selection of items (including trips to see Jon Stewart's Daily Show and prime signed items from Star Trek Voyager's Kate Mulgrew's performance in Tea at Five) are up for bid now at ebay.centerstage.org.

In total, over 700 items are being auctioned off, with benefits going to support the artistic and educational endeavors at CENTERSTAGE.

Check it out, and look for the deals!!

~Heather

PS~
We'll be blogging regularly throughout the day to highlight all the excitement!