For more information contact UAS Information Officer Kevin Myers at 796-6530 or by email.

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January 29, 2004
UAS Winter Soiree; a good time for a good cause

UAS is putting on its top hat and tails in preparation of the second annual Winter Soiree. The Egan Classroom Wing and Library get an elegant makeover to become a casino, piano bar and ballroom. The Winter Soiree has taken the place of Tuxedo Junction as the University's top scholarship fundraiser. The event is held on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 7pm to midnight. Last year's event raised $15,830 from ticket sales, silent auction, raffle and from money donated in the casino.

"The Soiree was going to be a biennial event, but last year's was so successful and so much fun that we decided to have it annually," said UAS Chancellor John Pugh. "There was a lot of support from the community to make it an annual event, and then First National Bank Alaska came forward with the very generous offer of sponsoring the event again this year, so it made it an easy decision."

The event is packed with entertainment Thunder Mountain Big Band, Comic "Mad" Chad Taylor, DJ Science a.k.a. Jeff Hermann, Psychedelic Psax, Monte Carlo-style entertainment and a Silent Auction. This year they have added a desert-piano bar to the Hors 'd oeuvres buffet. There is also a no-host beer and wine bar, so you must be 21 to attend.

"We call it Monte Carlo- style entertainment because there's no pretense that you'll be taking any money home with you," said UAS spokesman Kevin Myers. "You make a donation to a scholarship and in return you get chips to use in the casino room. There are roulette, blackjack and poker tables. It's a lot of fun, and the money goes to help students."

Much of the entertainment is homegrown such as the Thunder Mountain Big Band, which is comprised of local musicians and vocalists who play the best in modern-day big-band jazz; and Psychedelic Psax, which is lead by Guitarist Ford. Ford lists as his jazz influences Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Dave Brubeck.

Perhaps the biggest name is California based "Mad" Chad Taylor, who has been called the Evil Knievel of comedy. His act usually includes juggling chainsaws, lighting body parts on fire and catching an anvil with his head. "It's amazing how many people want to watch you do something stupid," said Taylor. Taylor has performed his brand of Extreme Comedy in venues all over the world, including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."  

"We're trying to make the night as much fun for people as we possible can," said Lynne Johnson of the UAS Development Office. "But the real reason for the event is to raise money for our scholarship funds. So we hope people will come out and support us."

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