LIVE AUCTION ITEMS

Join us in-person on November 5th to bid on these exciting items!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

CHEF’S CHOICE: DINNER FOR EIGHT COOKED BY A LOCAL LEGEND — Arthur Gordon founded the Irregardless Cafe in 1975 and was the chef and guiding force behind this mainstay of the Raleigh dining scene for 45 years. Today Arthur and his wife, Anya Gordon, who sold Irregardless at the end of 2019, are renowned for their dinner parties. They will host a four-course pescatarian dinner for eight, complete with cocktails and wine, at their Midtown Raleigh home at a mutually convenient time. VALUE: $1,200.

UNIQUE BURNING COAL EXPERIENCES

ROLE PLAYING: If you’ve ever yearned to appear in a Burning Coal play, your time has come. A walk-on role in our production of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard – yes, there will be a line of dialogue – can be yours. Whether you tread the boards for a single performance or a weekend of the play is up to you. (Alas, applause cannot be guaranteed.) The Cherry Orchard runs Thursdays through Sundays, April 6 – 23. VALUE: What’s the price tag for launching an acting career?

THE PLAY’S YOUR THING: Broadway has the Schubert Theatre, Belasco Theatre, etc. Why shouldn’t Raleigh have your theatre? We’ll call our next production Milima’s Tale at the (YOUR NAME HERE) Theatre in the Murphey School Auditorium. Treat yourself, or honor a loved one. VALUE: The naming rights for the Carolina Panthers’ stadium fetched $7 million per season. Just sayin’.

BRING ON THE BLING

DIAMONDS ARE YOU-KNOW-WHAT: This “Circle of Life” pendant from Diamonds Direct pumps up the glamour. Set in 14k white gold, this diamond necklace features 18 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 1.80 caratsl. VALUE: $2,500.

GETAWAY PLAN

TROPICAL COSTA RICA

Imagine taking a deep breath and savoring the sweet aroma of tropical flowers as balmy breezes soothe your soul.  From the moment you arrive, Costa Rica will enchant you with its pristine beaches, exquisite vistas, lush rainforests, and amazing wonders of nature found nowhere else in the world! 

Imagine the two of you lounging next to a glistening pool sipping cool cocktails, or relaxing on a sugar sand beach as warm waves gently sweep ashore.  

Your week in Costa Rica can be as relaxed or as exciting as you wish.  You’ll stay at a 4-star resort and relax in sublime luxury.  You might want to explore the rainforest, see a volcano, and swing through the jungle canopy on a thrilling zip-line ride! 

This once-in-a-lifetime vacation is your chance to relax and unwind in this land of unmatched pleasure and beauty.

This incredible package for two includes your 7 days, 6 nights deluxe accommodations, round trip airfare, and memories of the most invigorating and relaxing adventure of your life!

Your AmFund Travel Specialist will book it for you, and you have 3 full years with no blackout dates.

*Minimum Starting Bid: $4900

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS HIGH: Enjoy a week in the beautiful Longview Lodge, which sleeps up to 13 people in the mountains high above Boone, NC. ADDED BONUS: A cocktail party at a nearby mountain home.

Sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet in this tastefully decorated High Country retreat for seven nights. Just ten minutes from downtown Boone!

Among the many highlights: a master bedroom with a gas fireplace; a bay window with a mountain view and an ensuite bath; a formal dining area and kitchen  stocked with everything you need for a large group meal or a romantic dinner for two; a living area with a large flat-screen TV, wood-burning fireplace, and a second kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop; a game room with a pool table and ping pong table; and a large two-story deck that  includes a six-person hot tub overlooking the mountains and a fire pit for chilly evenings. 

Keep in mind this home does not have air conditioning, but you are at a higher elevation.

Find photos and many more details at https://www.carolinacabinrentals.com/Longview-Lodge/

BONUS: WHILE STAYING AT LONGVIEW LODGE, ENJOY AN EVENING’S ENTERTAINMENT AT THE GRACIOUS AND FUN BOONE MOUNTAIN HOME OF GEORGIA AND ALEC DONALDSON: Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served on the deck. Bourbon cocktails are a specialty (particularly Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, Paper Planes, and Brown Derbies), but if you prefer another spirit, let them know. (The Wedding Veil is an especially delicious gin drink.). Hors d’oeuvres will include a selection of Georgia’s homemade NC State Fair 2022 prize-winning pickles. The cocktails will feature her homemade brandied cherries, which put Luxardo cherries to shame.

Any mutually agreeable week in June, July, or August 2023, excluding holiday weeks.

VALUE FOR BOTH: $3400

Bidding is open now through Sunday, November 6th at 5 P.M. for the Online Silent Auction! Click here to place your bid now.

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS

PLAY TIME

THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE: Attend a series of plays at local theatres in the company of Burning Coal Artistic Director Jerome Davis. After each show, discuss the focus, characters, and relevance to today’s world over a cup of coffee or dessert. VALUE: Tickets for the plays alone are valued at $242; Jerry’s insights are invaluable. The plays:

           Raleigh Little Theatre – Hands on a Hard Body (June 2023), Value: $54

Theatre in the Park – Noises Off (June 10-26, 2023)  Value: $42

The Justice Theater Project – tiny beautiful things (April 13-23, 2023) Value: $46

PlayMakers – Hamlet (January 25- February 12, 202.

WOLFGANG AT HIS BEST: Two tickets to the North Carolina Opera’s production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s masterpiece, “Don Giovanni.” The devilishly charming Don Juan has seduced one woman too many, and the tables are turned against him on this day. Tickets are for either Friday, Jan. 27, or Sunday, Jan. 29. VALUE: $210.

BODY AND SOUL

THE NEIGHS HAVE IT: Enjoy a three-hour horseback outing for two — no horse experience required. This outing at the Halvorsen Family Farm in Youngsville includes an introduction to horsemanship, familiarization with your horse; an arena ride; a trail ride around the farm; and a good time! The outing is valid through June 30, 2023. Requirements: age six and up, closed-toed shoes, long pants, and a waiver signed before riding. VALUE: $500.

ONE-ON-ONE YOGA: Enjoy a 1-hour private yoga class at Alchemy Studio in Raleigh. This alignment-based yoga session can be gentle or advanced. Sarah Wechsberg, the owner of Alchemy Studio, is looking forward to practicing with you in her home studio, where she teaches weekly classes and privates. Sarah is trained in alignment-based yoga, gentle yoga, Reiki, and other healing modalities. This a great holiday gift idea. Be good to yourself — or someone you love. VALUE: $120.

YOGA TIMES EIGHT: Enjoy an eight-week group yoga class at Alchemy Studio in Raleigh. Heal your body and mind with gentle-flow yoga classes led by Alchemy Studio owner Sarah Wechsberg in her home studio. Sarah, who has been teaching for nine years, is trained in alignment-based yoga, gentle yoga, Reiki, and other healing modalities. A great antidote for holiday excesses! VALUE: $120.

CHILL AT THE CAPITAL GRILLE – A $150 gift certificate to The Capital Grille at Raleigh’s North Hills, which The News & Observer calls a “swanky steakhouse worth the splurge.” VALUE: $150.

BEYOND CATEGORY

YOUR PET DESERVES THIS!!: Simmie Kastner will produce a watercolor portrait of your pet. The unframed portrait, 7.9 x 7.9 inches, will be painted with high-quality paints on acid-free paper to last indefinitely if framed properly and shielded from the sun. Once the winner supplies a range of color photos of their pet, Simmie will choose the one that works best to convey the pet’s true spirit. The painting will take about 18 hours of Simmie’s time. The time frame is three months or less from receipt of the photos. VALUE: $150.

WHY WAIT FOR ANTIQUES ROADSHOW?: Tour Leland Little Auctions’ fabulous new facility in Hillsborough, then appraise an item by one of Leland’s experts. After the tour (and find out if your item has just made you a billionaire), employee Georgia Donaldson will take you to lunch in downtown Hillsborough. Two people; any mutually agreeable weekday.  VALUE: Priceless – like your family heirloom!

DREAM GARDEN: Wow, your neighbors and friends after receiving a garden design consultation and landscaping/planting plan.

Want your own garden to compete with the Island of La Grande Jatte? Or the idyllic setting of Camelot? Well, when not performing in Burning Coal shows such as Sunday in the Park with George and Camelot, Alec Donaldson’s other avocation is garden design. Let him give you the benefit of his 30+ years of gardening and give you a garden in which you can be the star. (He might sing for you, too!) Garden design consultation and design services for up to a half-acre plot. VALUE:  $1,500.  A separate incremental fee may be necessary for larger home sites.

DOUGH LOVERS’ SPECIAL: A $50 gift certificate for Vic’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria on Lake Boone Trail, plus a $25 gift certificate for Yellow Dog Bread Co., will have you rolling in dough. Although to be clear, the Vic’s certificate is good for any of the many Italian specialties on their menu (but only at the Lake Boone Trail location.)

VALUE: $75.

CAROLINA (BREWING) ON MY MIND: Two cases of six-packs – that is, eight six-packs altogether – from Carolina Brewing Co., which has been brewing tasty liquids since 1995. Plus, coasters, glasses, and two hats. The beer will consist of two six-packs of Pale Ale, Epic Hazy IPA, Blackberry-Lemon Summer Wheat, and Fruit Punch. VALUE: $80 for the beer alone.

FOR ART’S SAKE: NC Museum of Art Dual/Family membership. As a Dual/Family member of the N.C. Museum of Art, you’ll enjoy free admission to exhibitions, invitations to special events, discounts in the Museum Store, and so much more. Membership is good for one year. It’s a membership even Groucho would love! VALUE: $75.

FOR GOODNESS SAKE (pronounced sah-keh): A 1.8-liter bottle of Ryujin “Dragon God” Ginjo Namazume Sake from Raleigh’s Koi Grill & Sushi. Aromas of lush fruits with a light umami flavor and mild acidity make this a wonderful sake to enjoy alone or paired with your favorite sushi rolls. VALUE: $120.

DO YOU RAKU?: This 14.5’ x 22” Raku pottery, created by local artisan Elizabeth Reynolds, features three large leaves and is ready to hang on your wall. For the uninitiated, Raku is a Japanese method of firing pottery with a unique look. 

SAVING FACE: Your face will love you for this! You get a 50-minute facial at Hand & Stone Spa at Waverly Place in Cary, plus a $20 gift card for additional services and products. And, on top of that, you’ll receive a gift basket containing an assortment of Clarity and Dermalogica beauty products. VALUE: $300.

PHOTO OP: Become immersed in a 45-minute photo shoot by Frolic & Co. Photography – either on location or in Frolic & Co.’s downtown Raleigh studio. The photo shoot can be used for a portrait session for an individual, couple or family. Includes one 8×10 print. VALUE: $250.

BOUTIQUE EXPERIENCE: Indulge yourself with this $100 gift card from Galatea Boutique. The gift card for this independently owned boutique, which features locally made fair trade and unique designer items,  is good for 12 months. Galatea has been in business for more than 25 years and currently has a mobile outlet, Galatea To Go. VALUE: $100.

THE WINNERS CIRCLE

PRIVATE WINE CLASS FOR 20 AT TOTAL WINE & MORE: Treat your friends, family, and fellow wine lovers to a private wine tasting for up to 20 people at a Total Wine & More store. Learn about the famed appellations and grape varietals that make each wine region so unforgettable. Taste a variety of premium, hand-selected wines and discover hidden treasures from the wine region of your choosing. A wine expert will present and discuss each delicious wine during your two-hour class, which can be arranged as a seated class-style or more casual walk-around event.  The winner can choose from a wide variety of classes. VALUE:  $500.

CLASS ACT: Two tickets to any First Course or Second Course wine classes at The Raleigh Wine Shop. The shop’s dedicated classroom space at 317 South Bloodworth Street in Raleigh includes a multimedia system to enhance the sessions. The fun and educational classes are designed to enhance your enjoyment of wine. VALUE:  $70.

Sponsorship Details:

$250 Associate Producer
– Two tickets to the show
– Recognition during the event and on social media
– Recognition with live link on the website and program

$500 Executive Producer
– Four tickets to the show
– Recognition during the event and on social media
– Recognition with live link on the website and program
– Recognition in weekly e-newsletters

Pay for your sponsorship by clicking here.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Paul Leone, Slee Arnold and Ken Spry, Dr. Jeff M. Morrison and Suzanne Morrison, Eric Hale and Anna Brown, Cecilia Zuvic, Deborah and Tom Keefe, Linda and Jim Martin, Andrew and Gwen Whiteman, Betsy Buford and Donald Matthews, Robert and Connie Shertz

#1 Support the Work

Burning Coal is here to create thought-provoking live theatre in the Triangle, for the Triangle.  This 26th Season we are producing 3 plays written by women (one of them a commissioned world premiere). All 4 of the Main Stage plays have a environmental awareness component.

#2 Support the Artists

Buy purchasing a ticket to this fundraiser, you are paying an artist. Burning Coal brings together the best artists from Raleigh to London to collaborate and create theatre that is experienced, not simply seen. We do that by paying them as much as we can. With your help, we can continue to elevate our local talent and connect with more world-renowned artists.

#3 Keep it accessible

All fundraisers raise funds to pay our artists and support the work you see on stage. It also helps us keep ticket prices low to make Burning Coal accessible to everyone.