For one night every year, a patch of Tacoma basks in the glow of Hollywood. While the stars are strolling the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Tacoma’s celebrities will walk the red carpet at Theatre on the Square.
This Sunday, the tradition continues when the Grand Cinema hosts its annual Academy Awards Party complete with paparazzi, movie characters and a chance to win a golden ticket.
A big screen will show the 85th Annual Academy Awards hosted by Seth MacFarlane.
Philip Cowan, the Grand’s executive director, said watching the event with fellow Oscar fans is like watching a movie in a theater.
“There’s a buzz with a large crowd that you don’t get with a solo experience,” Cowan said.
The event is a fundraiser for the theater’s conversion to digital projectors. The nonprofit has raised $116,000 of the $344,000 it needs by the end of the summer.
Tickets for Sunday’s party includes snacks from Maxwell’s Restaurant + Lounge, desserts by Corina Bakery and cupcakes from Hello Cupcake. A no-host bar will be provided.
This will mark the ninth year the Grand has hosted the event. Ticket holders will enter via red carpet complete with camera-toting paparazzi.
Cowan said many of the audience members dress up in Oscar-worthy duds or as movie characters. There’s always classics such as Marilyn Monroe, he said, but many choose costumes themed to current movies. Past years have included “Black Swan” ballerinas, “The King’s Speech” royalty, George Clooney from “The Descendants,” Harry Potter and Avatars.
“This year I’m expecting several Abe Lincolns,” Cowan said.
During commercial breaks a costume contest is held. The winner will receive $50 gift certificates to Maxwell’s, and Stanley and Seafort’s.
Audience members will be given an Oscar ballot of 24 award categories. The most successful guesser gets an unlimited “Golden Ticket” movie pass to the Grand for a year.
A silent auction with vacation packages and a raffle with more than 30 prizes round out the fundraising effort.
2012 Academy Awards Party and Fundraiser
When: Doors open at 4 p.m., awards telecast begins at 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Theatre on the Square, 901 Broadway, Tacoma
Tickets: $35
More information: 253-593-4474, grandcinema.com
Craig Sailor: 253-597-8541 craig.sailor@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/getout
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