More than 400 people were in the audience March 21 at Crystal Gardens in Southgate for the first phase of the Trenton Rotary Club’s “Battle of the Bands,” a two-stage contest to select entertainment for a “Rock the River” concert during the organization’s annual “Roar on the River” in July.
Outperforming nine other groups were the Hid-den Agenda Band, Wyandotte Station and Wisteria. The three will compete in the second round of the battle June 11 at the Rack and Roll in Riverview, with the winner to be the opening act for the headlining group Category Five at the “Rock the River” concert.
The evening included drawings for a variety of prizes, including a guitar, which was won by Matt Hatty of Trenton.
Proceeds from the admission fee of $10 will fund “Roar on the River” events, according to spokes-woman Linda Francetich.
For additional information about the June 11 competition and “Roar on the River,” go to www.trentonroarontheriver.com.
Exchange Club benefit slated
Members of the Exchange Club of Dearborn are completing plans for the organization’s largest fund-raiser of the year, Monte Carlo Night, scheduled for April 16 at Park Place with proceeds from the black-tie-optional event earmarked for community pro-grams.
Only 200 tickets are being sold for the benefit, which features an opportunity to win 21 cash prizes totaling $10,000, plus many non-cash prizes, includ-ing jewelry, savings bonds and tickets to restaurants, sporting events and theater performances.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with appetizers and an open bar, followed by a formal seafood and steak dinner, dessert bar, dancing and games including blackjack, Texas hold ’em, craps and roulette.
Dearborn Mayor John O’Reilly Jr. will serve as master of ceremonies.
Tickets, $150, and information about sponsorship opportunities and program ads are available from Mark Karcher, (313) 277-4600; Marty Heger, (313) 565-3100; and Gary Kuhlmann, (313) 274-4499.
Co-chairing the fund-raiser are Heger and Kar-cher. Committee members include Kuhlmann, Mike Bewick, Hope Buxton, Dennis Scanland, Mike Hurite, Hugh Weller and Virginia Blow, club president.
Proceeds from the event are earmarked for edu-cation, assistance to military veterans, domestic-violence prevention and other community programs. Last year’s benefit raised $14,000, Heger said.
Park Place is at 23400 Park in Dearborn.
The club, which is celebrating the 85th anniver-sary of its founding, will receive a business recogni-tion award from the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce April 23 during a chamber luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton.
On-stage seats are available
A limited number of on-stage-seating tickets will be offered for each performance of the Tony Award-winning musical “Spring Awakening,” to be performed April 20 though May 9 at the Fisher Theatre.
The tickets cost $15 and must be purchased in person at the theater box office, 3011 W. Grand Blvd. For hours and more information, call 313-872-1000.
Tickets for general seating range from $24 to $79. They are available at the box office and all Tick-etMaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayinDetroit.com.
The musical, set in late 19th century Germany, is about teen-age self-discovery and sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teen-agers.
Indian cooking class scheduled
In keeping with the popularity of Indian cuisine, the Ritz-Carlton Cooking with Style class on April 12 will feature “Journey to India: Southern Regional Fare,” at 5:30 p.m. in the hotel kitchens.
The cost, $120, includes dinner with comple-mentary wines and table-setting ideas by Leslie Jacobs of Leslie Jacobs Associates. Guests can par-ticipate for dinner only for $75. For more information or reservations, call Jacobs at (248) 646-4517 or Colin Berens at (313) 253-4357.