French Morocco comes to Charles City
Bob Frascht and Arts Center Director Jacqueline Davidson share a laugh as they open another bottle of sparkling wine at the Charles City Art Center's Play again Sam event Saturday night. Press photo by Thomas Nelson.
Larry Johnson at Play it again Sam enjoys his meal at the Charles City Art Center. Johnson was dressed like Rick, the main character from the film "Casablanca." Press photo by Thomas Nelson.
The scene at the Charles City Art Center's Play it again Sam event Saturday evening. The event included dinner and a showing of the Academy Awarding-winning film "Casablanca." Press photo by Thomas Nelson.
Bob Frascht helps Phyllis Meyer pick out a drink at the Charles City Art Center's Play again Sam event Saturday night. Press photo by Thomas Nelson.
A sign outside the Charles City Art Center displays "Play it again Sam," advertising the event of the same name inside. Press photo by Thomas Nelson.
Sam Crosser plays the piano as Erik Jordan sings "As time goes by" to the group of couples eating dinner at the Charles City Art Center. Press photo by Thomas Nelson.
By Thomas Nelson, tnelson@charlescitypress.com
Of all the art centers in all of Iowa, Charles City’s had to do a fundraiser in the style of the Academy Award-winning film “Casablanca.”
The event was called Play it Again, Sam and was a dinner and movie-screening fundraiser for the Charles City Arts Center.
The event was modeled after the film “Casablanca” which is set in French Morocco in 1941.
Sam Crosser played the piano throughout the event, charming guests as Erik Jordan, one of the Art Center caretakers, acted as a server and sang “As time goes by” to the group of couples eating dinner.
Folks that came to the event were welcomed with letters of transit that guaranteed their seat, and also acted as a major plot point in “Casablanca.”
The entire Art Center was full of residents including Charles City Mayor Dean Andrews and Floyd County Supervisor Linda Tjaden.
“In 1941, in Europe, the politics were terrible and the weather was cold and frigid,” said Arts Center Director Jacqueline Davidson, which is similar to how Charles City is now, weather wise.
“Casablanca” is one of Davidson’s favorite movies and with the cold weather, she wanted to do something set in a place with warm weather in a different era, she said.
“We had to do a lot of research.”
“Let us take you on journey,” Davidson said. “The nicest thing is Sam Crosser is the piano player, so we can legally say, ‘Play it again Sam.'”
More than 40 people showed up to enjoy sparkling wineFrench Moroccan food at the Art Center.
The event’s success wasn’t always guaranteed.
“This time last week I was in tears,” Davidson said. Not many people had made reservations, and she was getting nervous.
A belly dancer was scheduled, but canceled prior to the event.
“Then all of a sudden it exploded,” Davidson said.
The center was full of Charles City residents shortly after openning its doors.
There aren’t many nice places left in Charles City to go to dinner, Davidson said she was told by residents.
“In the middle of January why not just experience the whole feeling to it,” Davidson said.
There aren’t any guarantees that the Art Center will have this event again next year, but if it does there will be a belly dancer, Davidson said.
The event is a fundraiser for the Art Center the proceeds go back into the center.
“It will do us a great bit of good,” Davidson said.
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