Richard Marx & Michael Feinstein dazzle gala crowd at Allied Solutions Center
Submitted
In an evening marked by star turns and a few surprises, Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts raised over $708,000 on Saturday, Sept. 20 to support its arts and educational programming – a new record for the nonprofit organization’s annual gala.
The Center Celebration 2025 presented by Ice Miller began with cocktails and a musical welcome from Artistic Director Michael Feinstein as nearly 400 guests were seated for dinner in the Payne & Mencias Palladium concert hall, converted for the occasion. The live auction featured nine prize packages including luxury getaways and sports experiences.
Michael Feinstein, Artistic Director for Allied Solutions Center and Founder of the Great American Songbook Foundation, kicks off the Center’s annual gala fundraiser. (Photo by Sara C Imagery)
A video on activities at Allied Solutions Center highlighted students from the Prism Project, a performing arts day camp for youth with disabilities, as well as Carmel retirees Pat and Rafik Bishara, who attend performances frequently as part of a regimen to slow the progression of Pat’s Alzheimer’s disease. Asked to stand and be recognized at the event, the Bisharas were applauded by all in attendance.
Headliner Marx took the stage after a warm introduction by Feinstein, charming the crowd with movie-star charisma and accompanying himself on piano and acoustic guitar amid a sea of white candles. The set included enthusiastic audience sing-alongs of his 1980s hits along with tunes he wrote for other artists and even a touch of the Great American Songbook.
Pop-rocker Richard Marx delivers the headline performance during last Saturday’s Center Celebration 2025 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium. (Photo by Sara C Imagery)
Proceeds from the auction, table reservations, sponsorships and direct donations will support the Center’s arts and educational programming, which includes mainstage performances by national and international artists, children’s concerts and camps, vocal and instrumental music classes, speaker presentations and reading clubs. President/CEO Jeffrey C. McDermott announced the $708,805 total as he invited guests to stay for the after-parties.
“I have attended every annual gala in the 15-year history of Allied Solutions Center, and it’s always inspiring to see the community come together to support our mission,” McDermott said. “This event was a success not just because our guests donated to us so generously, but also because we were able to shine a spotlight on the many educational offerings provided to our community at little or no cost due to that generosity.”
This year’s Gala Steering Committee was co-chaired by Carmel residents Michael and Caroline Garvey, in their second year, and David and Annette Greene, who will lead next year’s planning. In addition to Ice Miller, sponsors included First Merchants Bank, Jet Access, JLBS Construction, Studio M Architecture and Planning, Shiel Sexton, Current Publishing, Jaguar Indianapolis/Land Rover Indianapolis/Tom Wood Volvo Cars, Will and Yasmin Stump, Open Gate Design & Travis at LM Homes, Anheuser-Busch, E&J Gallo Winery, St. Elmo Cocktails and Oberer’s Flowers.
The Center Celebration 2026 presented by Ice Miller is set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Payne & Mencias Palladium. Table reservations are available at this year’s price levels through Oct. 22. More information is available at TheCenterPresents.org/Gala.