‘Friday Night Live’ delivers laughs for Art
by March 28, 2009 11:46 am 74 views
story and photos by Linda Kaufenberg
The Fort Smith Art Center presented “Friday Night Live” Friday, Mar. 27, at Golden Living’s headquarters in south Fort Smith. Looking for a little something different to do on a Friday night, the event featured two comedians. In addition, attendees got a little something familiar with dinner and live and silent auctions.
Emcee for the event was Jimmy Haas of the Fort Smith Radio Group. The auctioneer was Paul Rainwater from Rainwater’s Clothing. At one point in the bidding, individuals in the audience bid on if Rainwater could complete 10 push-ups. Dropping to the ground in his suit, Rainwater did 20 push-ups, so the amount was doubled with all money going to Fort Smith Art Center.
Nineteen items were included in the live auction — the major item being one-week accommodations in France given by Marget and Peter Lippincott. Two bidders were active in the bidding war at $4,000. The Lippincotts offered a week to each bidder at $4,500.
In addition to funding day-to-day operations, the FSAC also is working to raise money to match the donation of a building. Arvest Bank donated a former branch back facility — acquired in its $211 million purchase of Superior Federal Bank in late 2003 — at 1601 Rogers Ave. to the Fort Smith Art Center so that center officials can expand their space to exhibit art, photos and provide other services. The donation, however, is contingent upon art center officials raising $200,000 by June 1.
Brent Dawson, voted 2006 funniest man in Dallas, opened the night riffing the serious and not-so-serious. He said, “I went to the doctor’s office the other day and they x-rayed my chest. Did you know that gas bubbles show up on x-rays? It was very embarrassing when the gas bubbles did not show up on the second x-rays.”
The headliner was Scott Long. He has entertained audiences for 15 years and has written for the Emmy-nominated NFL pre-game how on Fox for the last three years.
“Friday Night Live” committee included Chairman Sharon Reeder, Anne Hebert. Jan Morris, Barbara Peterson, Dolores Chitwood, Debbie Finley and FSA staff.
