Carmel hopes fundraiser leads to easy street

Carmel Catholic High School is in the process of transforming its halls into streets and classrooms into stages as the school prepares for its Street Scenes fundraiser.

The 34th annual event celebrates the college experience this year with the theme: "Street Scenes Goes to College."

To learn how this event mixes martinis, sketch comedy, poker and parody, check out these 10 tips:

1. Street Scenes will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8-9. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Attendees must be 21 and older.

2. More than 30 rooms of show venues and concessions will spotlight bands and acts such as Hello Dave, Red Eye Express, Manic Impressive, 8 Miles South, Betty Soul and One Track Mind.

3. The Carmel Cafe will transform into "Mardi Gras at Carmel" with entertainment from Vintage Vibes.

4. Thirsty? Street Scenes will feature an Irish pub, martini lounge and margarita room.

5. This year, Carmel will begin the "Take a Cab on Us," program, giving people free cab rides home at the end of the evening.

6. Craps anyone? The school's gymnasium will be turned into a Las Vegas-style casino with blackjack, poker, craps, roulette and Wheel of Fortune.

7. Showrooms feature comedy skits based on the performers' perspective on the college experience, including "Bada Bing Bada Boom: The Soprano's Graduate," "My Big Fat Greek Sing-Off," "Parents Weekend at Spend More University" and "Intelligence Optional University."

8. Lake and McHenry county sixth- through eighth-graders are invited to student night Feb. 7, tickets are $5 in advance, $6 at the door.

Seniors are invited to attend a 2 p.m. showing Feb. 3, free of charge.

9. Last year, Street Scenes raised approximately $420,000 for Carmel's educational programs and drew nearly 7,500 people.

10. The vaudeville-type event is the school's largest fundraiser. Since 1974, 186,100 people have attended and nearly $7 million has been raised.