You can’t hurry love, but you can hurry into next year with the Former Ladies of the Supremes.
The musical group will headline a benefit concert at Centennial Hall on New Year’s Eve.
According to Lance Mitchell, one of the show’s organizers, the proceeds from the performance will support the Helping Hands Food Bank of Juneau.
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“The Supremes. What a way to start the year,” Mitchell said in a Tuesday phone interview with the Empire. “It’s going to be a fun thing. Just good, clean fun.”
Mitchell explained that the evening will also include performances by local artists Brown Sugar, Sherry Patterson, Eliza Valentine and the comedy of Corin Hughes-Skandijs and Alicia Hughes-Skandijs.
Mitchell said the Former Ladies of the Supremes includes artists Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene and that the dance floor will be open. Mitchell said a full bar will be available.
T.K. Maguire’s will cater a surf-and-turf dinner before the show, Mitchell said.
Karen Fortwengle, the Helping Hands Food Bank director, said the fundraiser will help the organization operate as the local need for food grows.
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“Ever since the pandemic, the need has become greater, but the need is increasing now that government help is going away,” she said in a Wednesday phone interview.
She said the food bank serves 200 families each week, and all money raised will go directly to operations.
This picture shows the publicity photo for the upcoming concert featuring the Former Ladies of the Supremes. (Courtesy image/Lance Mitchell)
“We are always looking to raise money to pay rent and electricity. We purchase food when we can’t get donations to make sure people have their basic needs met,” Fortwengle said, adding that the food bank is also in need of a new-to-them van.
The Helping Hands Food Bank operates from a warehouse in Switzer Village from 5:30 to 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday evenings. Fortwengle said a new sign directs customers to the area.
“We don’t ask questions,” Fortwengle said. “We just say our doors are open and we are here to help.”
• Contact reporter Dana Zigmund at dana.zigmund@juneauempire.com or 907-308-4891.
Know & Go
What: New Year’s Event featuring the Former Ladies of the Supremes and local artists.
When: Friday, Dec. 31. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for dinner, followed by the show at 7 p.m.
Where: Centennial Hall, 101 Egan Drive, downtown
Admission: Tickets for dinner and the show cost $150. Show-only tickets cost $100. Tickets are available from the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, at Hearthside Books, and online at Eventbrite. Organizers will check vaccine cards at the door and social distancing and masking protocols will be in place.
