By Sam Robinson
Retired basketball player and president of basketball operations for the Pacers, Larry Bird, and his wife, Dinah, will be the guests of honor at Indianapolis Opera’s sixth annual Lobster Palooza fundraiser event on July 18.
The event takes place at the Frank and Katrina Basile Opera Center on 4011 N Pennsylvania Street in Indianapolis. It lasts from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $150 per person, and casual dress is required.
Kevin Patterson, the general director of the Indianapolis Opera, said that the event is important because the Indianapolis Opera is the only professional opera house in the state, and that the programs it offers give surrounding communities to experience it. The event raised nearly 50 thousand dollars last year.
“Even though we’re fortunate to have the arts here in Indianapolis, we think its important to spread that out,” Patterson said.
The Indianapolis Opera has eight-week classes in the fall and spring that teach people of all ages about opera and music. It also has a program that brings the opera to senior citizens.
“Even though they’re not able to get into the community like they used to, we want to bring that to them,” Patterson said.
Patterson said he appreciates Larry Bird’s support for the organization, which goes beyond his image as a famous Hooser basketball player. Patterson said that support from Bird signals the equal value of arts and sports in the community.
“I think it wouldn’t be misstating him to say he wants to live in a community with the arts as well sports,” Patterson said.
The dinner consists of soft-shell clams, corn on the cob, clam chowder and Maine lobster. Chicken and vegetarian dishes are also available. There will be music and dancing after the dinner, provided by Indianapolis-based band Henle and the Loops. For more, visit IndyOpera.org.
