Going Once, Going Twice

(Photo: Andie Petkus)

Northwest Academy held its annual-themed fundraiser, Club Cabaret, at the Portland Art Museum on Saturday, February 22. Student performances are a large part of Club Cabaret. There are dance presentations, vocals pieces and art on display all done by the students.

“My favorite part of this year was the students,” Julia Cain, school registrar and college counselor, said. “The performances, the student greeters and the students on the floor are all great.”

The event is a complicated affair and requires many hours of planning.

“I do not have to do that (direct) anymore,” Mary Folberg, Head of School, said. “That allows me to do a lot more talking and schmoozing with people who come.”

Each year a theme is picked for Club Cabaret. This year’s Club Cabaret theme was one night in Rio de Janeiro. The themes have ranged from jazz clubs to New Orleans Mardi Gras.

“It comes from a lot of sources,” Folberg said. “Sometimes I have an idea, or parents will come up with a theme, the development office, sometimes Wade Willis has an idea.”

Club Cabaret consists of a silent auction, a wine wall, a live auction, a dinner and entertainment by members of the school community throughout the night.

“I thought the audience was particularly enthusiastic this year during the paddle raise,” David Wagstaff, Dean of Students, said.

All of the proceeds from Club Cabaret go towards the Scholarship Fund to help Northwest Academy students with financial aid.

“The best part of Club Cabaret is the whole reason we do it, and that is to help students be here, who might not be able to come here,” Folberg said. “It is hard to charge as much as we do here.”

Folberg said that Northwest Academy strives to have an economically diverse school, which would not be possible without Club Cabaret to fund the scholarships.

Northwest Academy’s Club Cabaret has grown from its beginnings in 2001. It was first held in the Main Street building, but over the years has moved to various venues and is currently held at The Portland Art Museum.

“We only had nine tables, as I remember,” Folberg said. “Now we are up to 30 tables and are at The Portland Art Museum.”

To create each Club Cabaret, many people have to donate much of their time into piecing together the elaborate experience. For the past seven Club Cabarets, Northwest Academy front desk receptionist Wendy Bell has created the costumes.

“I do enjoy making the costumes,” Bell said. “The show is good. Well, that’s because I make the costumes, but the show is good.”