Franco Center to hold third annual benefit gala on Nov. 4

LEWISTON – Hundreds of local people plan to wear their best clothes – donning evening dresses, suits and tuxedos – to raise thousands of dollars to keep the lights on and the heat humming inside the Franco-American Heritage Center.

The third annual gala will feature the growing Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, soloist Michael Lewin and receptions before and after the evening performances.

“It’s going to be a very elegant evening,” said Rita Dube, the center’s executive director. “And we’re hoping to fill the place.”

The money is needed.

Though the center is about to begin two new restoration projects, replacing the slate roof and repairing a stone buttress at the front of the former Catholic church, paying the everyday expenses remains a challenge, Dube said. Both restoration projects are being funded through dedicated USDA grants, hundreds of thousands of dollars that cannot be used to pay utilities or fund the staff.

The first gala, held in 2004, raised about $10,000. Last year’s event raised about $7,000, she said.

“I think we’re going to do well,” said Dube. If enough money is raised, the center hopes to spend some on new music stands and chairs for performers.

After all, the orchestra, which plays four concerts here each year, is growing so quickly that the center is running out of chairs.

The community orchestra has grown from about 40 members just two years ago, when the first gala was held, to about 70 members today, said Martin Jones, president of the orchestra.

“We have new players in several sections,” he said.

It has made the orchestra sound bigger than ever, adding scale and scope to the all-volunteer group.

It’s added more work for Rohan Smith, who conducts the orchestra. But it has given him more options at the same time.

“We can play pieces we couldn’t before,” Jones said.

The difference may be felt when the orchestra tackles Ravel’s “Bolero.” The piece begins with sounds that resemble Flamenco dancers. As the work goes on, more instruments suggest the addition of more dancers. The sounds build to a rousing climax.

“At the end, every instrument is playing,” Jones said. “It’s thrilling.”

Dube hopes the excitement is spread to all who attend the evening.

“How often in Lewiston, Maine, can you wear a tux?” she asked, though people are invited to dress more casually if they wish.

For people who have attended before, there will be some differences. All tickets for the performance will be for reserved seats. And unlike before, all gala events will be held at the center.

A wine and cheese reception is scheduled before the concert, with hors d’oeuvres by Davinci’s Restaurant. A champagne reception will follow the performances.