41st annual Street Scenes fundraiser coming to Carmel Catholic High School

Posted February 03, 2015 10:00 pm

Daily Herald report

Students recreate a USO show at Carmel Catholic High School's annual Street Scenes Gala last year. The 41st annual gala will take place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13 and 14, at the school. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Courtesy of Carmel Street Scenes

Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein is set to kick off its annual Street Scenes fundraiser, "Carmel Street Scenes Celebrates Superheroes."

The 41st annual event is Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13 and 14. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. each evening and the party will continue well past midnight. It is open to the general public ages 21 and older. Tickets cost $20 in advance by calling (847) 566-3000; $25 at the door.

Street Scenes has earned a reputation as the biggest theme party of the season in Lake County and the most significant community builder. This year, more than 50 live bands will entertain guests and there will be food and drink, comedy showrooms, and a Las Vegas-style casino.

An additional highlight will be the Cabaret-style Student Show in the auditorium featuring a professionally choreographed, one-hour performance featuring singing, dancing, and costumes. The Student Show stars Carmel students.

All proceeds benefit Carmel Catholic High School.

"Carmel Street Scenes is the best thing that ever happened to February. We like to say it is Lake County's much-needed winter break. For one weekend per year, Carmel Catholic High School is completely transformed into a party town atmosphere, with live music, a great casino, comedy clubs, food and drink from popular area restaurants, pancake breakfast in the wee hours of the morning.

"It's really an event you have to experience to understand why it has stood the test of time over the span of four decades," said Bob Knudson, the event's general chairman.

During Street Scenes, more than 30 rooms of show venues and concessions will spotlight bands and acts such as: Blind Logic, Johnny Bee and the Stingers, Wichita Jacks, Stuck at Zero, Chick Repellent, PlanB, Silver Machine, Two Easy, Elvis, Get Back, Blue Eyed Leo, Bob Musial and Friends, Blues Monkeys, Prairie Fogg, Brass From The Past, Joe Powers Country Band, The Mojo Daddies, Blush, 3 If By Air, Furious Fuzz, Manic Impressive, Bryan Vyborny, SageBrush, Six Speed Tranny, Stu-The Piano Guy, Not Even Trying, the Irish Pub and many more.

This year's showrooms include The Grayslake Show, Lake Zurich Show, Waukegan Show, Improv Playhouse and more. The Carmel cafeteria will feature entertainment from Brass from the Past.

The school gymnasium is also transformed into a Las Vegas-style casino with blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, wheel of fortune and other popular games. The casino opens at 8 p.m. on both nights and it is traditionally one of the hottest spots during Street Scenes weekend.

Food available for purchase includes gourmet corned beef sandwiches, tenderloin sandwiches, pizza, gourmet pastries, Italian beef and more.

Lake and McHenry County seventh- and eighth-graders, along with Carmel students, are invited to Street Scenes Student Night Thursday, Feb. 12, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 in advance, $6 at the door.

Students will be able to enjoy several of the shows - including the Student Show - along with food and games at reduced prices.

The Street Scenes annual gala takes the collective effort of more than 1,000 adult and student volunteers to ensure success. For Carmel students, their major focus is to make the Ad Drive a success. Carmel parents and other adult friends lend their support to Street Scenes as entertainers, artists, bartenders, stage crews, electricians, short-order cooks, ticket sellers, printers, seamstresses, waiters and waitresses, set up and take down crews, and in many other ways.

Visit www.carmelstreetscenes.com or call (847) 566-3000 for more information.

Tickets to Carmel Catholic High School's 41st Annual Street Scenes Gala are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Proceeds support Carmel Catholic educational programs. Attendees must be 21 and older. For advance tickets, call (847) 566-3000. Courtesy of Carmel Street Scenes

Carmel's Street Scenes Gala features a professionally choreographed, one-hour, cabaret-style Student Show. Other attractions include more than 50 live bands, food and drink, comedy, and a casino, which opens at 8 p.m. both nights. Courtesy of Carmel Street Scenes

The theme of last year's gala was "Carmel Street Scenes Salutes the Troops." This year's theme will be "Carmel Street Scenes Celebrates Superheroes." Courtesy of Carmel Street Scenes

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