Legendary entertainer Ben Vereen sang favorite songs, along with his special comic and dance routines, at the gala opening Feb. 26 for the Northshore Performing Arts Center located on the Bothell High School campus.

Fresh from a three-night engagement at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Vereen absolutely wowed the enthusiastic crowd. His enormously engaging interaction with the audience brought laughs, awed silence, and many standing ovations as he first sang a melody of Frank Sinatra’s hits, starting with “Chicago.” “The Candyman Can,” “Bojangles,” and “That Old Black Magic” were some of many favorites made popular by his mentor, Sammy Davis Jr.

A vibrant pre-concert party honored the Heritage Club, Northshore Performing Arts Center Foundation board members. While enjoying hors d’oeuvres prepared and served by Northshore Culinary Arts NEVA students, honorees and friends rightfully celebrated the completion of an exquisite public and educational facility. Without a doubt, the consensus of this very happy group can be summed - “Our dream has come true!”

A second party followed the performance. Again the culinary arts students presented an impressive array of fruits and pastries.

The Northshore community owes a great deal of appreciation to the following major players in the creation of a community treasure:

Heritage Club Members: Neil and Kirby Larson; John and Norma Stoutenburg; Kent and Barbara Chaplin; Jim and Rosemary McAuliffe; Richard and Lois Worthington; Jack and Judy Cornwall. NPACF Board: Ed Parker, Executive Director; Neil Larson, President; Rosemary McAuliffe, Vice President; Barbara Chaplin, Vice President; Norma Stoutenburg, Secretary/Treasurer; Jack Cornwall; Arthur Dunn; Dan Givens; John Keener; Kirby Larson; Mark Mills; Kay Mimier; Manny Ocampo; Vicki Opsata. Northshore School District: Karen Forys, Superintendent; Dan Vaught, Executive Director of Support Services.

Performances at NPAC evolve with contributions of time and talents of many volunteers. Northshore Theatre Guild members serve and support the theatre in a variety of areas such as: ushering, hospitality, providing guests transportation to and from the airport, public relations in the community, promotional material distribution and creating lobby displays. If you are interested in joining this club, contact NPACF at (425) 489-6018.

For additional information: On-line: http://www.npacf.org or by phone: (425) 489-6018.