By Sarah Kuper
Organizers for the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center at UAB have selected a family to chair this year’s VIVA Health Starlight Gala, rather than one individual or couple.
The seven co-chairs are the children and children-in-law of Mike and Gillian Goodrich. Elizabeth and Mike, Mary and Braxton, Ali and Charles, and Gracie have received the honor because of their involvement with the perform- ing arts center.
The Goodrich family may be known to some for their benevolence to and involvement with the Birmingham community, especially through the Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation.
The foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for residents of the Birmingham metropolitan area, the Black Belt and the state of Alabama.
One of the foundation’s many priorities is partnering with institutions such as the Alabama Symphony Orchestra to bring arts experience to schools.
This year’s gala marks the 20th anniversary of the event.
The featured star is world-renowned violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman.
Perlman was the musician featured at the first Starlight Gala, so organizers thought it a fitting choice for the 20th anniversary.
The gala is May 21 starting at 6 p.m. Perlman will perform after a cocktail reception.
Proceeds for the event go toward furthering the educational initiatives of the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.
Tickets are on sale now through the ASC website, alysstephens.org.
