By Sarah Kuper
The Exceptional Foundation will host its third annual Dinnertainment event Sept. 9 at a private club in Mountain Brook. (For location details go to exceptionalfoundation.org).
Tricia Kirk, executive director at the Exceptional Foundation, said she hopes the benefit raises funds but also gives attendees a glimpse of daily life at the Exceptional Foundation in Homewood.
“If people saw what we really did all day and the fun we have, they would love it as much as we do,” she said.
Dinnertainment is unlike any other area non-profit gala in that the entertainment is provided by those who actually benefit from the fundraiser. Exceptional Foundation participants, individuals of all ages with special needs, will present songs, skits, videos and other performances
Kirk said the idea of having participants involved in the evening was born out of their love of karaoke.
“Karaoke day at the foundation is very popular,” she said.
She said the acts continue to evolve.
“At the dinner, we will see performances from the Four Tops, Stevie Wonder and even Adele,” she said.
Plus, the participants are introducing a more multimedia experience for guests.
Taking cues from the popular late-night sketch “Carpool Karaoke,” performers, with the help of staff, are mounting cameras on car dashboards and singing along to favorite songs in dramatic – and hilarious – fashion. The video results will play at the event.
The acts are practiced and rehearsed in the weeks leading up to the big event but, Kirk said, odds are a lot of what guests see on Sept. 9 will be ad-lib.
“As much as they practice, a lot of it is spur of the moment, they’ll say whatever comes to mind – it has sort of a cabaret type feel,” she said.
It is that atmosphere, Kirk said, that she believes can be very eye-opening for guests.
“Just because they have an exceptionality doesn’t mean they can’t have fun and a sense of humor,” she said. “This event shows everyone that the special needs community is just fine.”
She emphasizes that participants are excited to make viewers laugh “with” them and not “at” them.
Tickets to Dinnertainment are available online and cost $150. That includes a cocktail hour, seated dinner and, of course, the live entertainment.
Proceeds go toward programming at the foundation. Organizers are hoping to raise at least $175,000. They estimate 400 people already have reserved their tickets, and space is getting limited.
The Young Alabama CPA’s are the presenting sponsor.
Kirk adds that audience members should come prepared to participate along with the entertainers.
