FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2008
Contact Ben Chambers, (770) 537-5756

Sara Evans: TICKET sales open July 1

Sara Evans

If you’re yearning to see Sara Evans live, you’ve still got a chance.

Despite robust demand for corporate sponsorships, West Central Technical College announced today that on July 1 it will open a limited block of tickets for its August 9 “Black Tie & Boots” benefit concert.

“We have seen a tremendous increase in the number of corporate sponsorships this year. Although seating is limited, we have added additional seating capacity to accommodate the demand for tickets,” Director of Institutional Advancement Dawn Cook said.

The seventh annual concert includes valet parking, a professional photographer and a seated dinner, so Cook and her staff have to consider not only seated capacity but also room for guests to comfortably maneuver throughout the venue.

“As our sponsors know, this is an elegant evening,” Cook said. “It is a black tie event with a wonderful meal and a stellar performance from one of country music’s top performers today. It is a great way for organizations to reward their employees for a job well done or simply to share an evening with family and friends.”

Ashley Monroe

Cook also announced the opening act for this year’s concert, rising star Ashley Monroe, perhaps best known for a 2007 duet with Ronnie Dunn, “I Don’t Want To.”

“The real, ‘real thing’ doesn’t come around often,” raved Dunn about Monroe. “She has the soul of a sad angel and sings like one, too.”

But there’s no doubt who the headliner is. Sara Evans, one of Nashville’s biggest names, recently released her “Greatest Hits” album and took a brief spin on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Her hits include “No Place That Far,” “A Real Fine Place to Start” and “Born to Fly.” Crimson Tide fans may already know she married former University of Alabama quarterback Jay Barker earlier this month.

The seventh annual concert is very close to selling out, Cook said. The limited number of individual and group tickets will go on sale July 1 at $100 per person or $750 per table, but corporate sponsorships which include tickets are still available.

The “Black Tie & Boots” benefit includes a seated meal at 7 p.m. and the concert at 8 p.m. and is the WCTC Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year, Cook said.

 “The proceeds go toward student scholarships, program improvements, facility upgrades and faculty development. The event is absolutely crucial,” she said. “Our Foundation is giving $20,000 in student scholarships this year because of ‘Black Tie & Boots’ and events like it.”

Past country artists who have performed at the annual concerts are Mark Wills, Patti Loveless, Diamond Rio, Crystal Gayle and Lee Greenwood, and Jo Dee Messina, who rocked West Central last year.

“This is our seventh year doing this,” Cook said, “and it has become such a community event that people in the west Georgia area eagerly anticipate the entertainer each year,” she said. “There is a lot of community awareness and networking that builds from this fundraising event each year.”

President Dr. Skip Sullivan said the College has come to rely on the Foundation’s support.

“When you look at the way they are supporting our students with scholarships, our faculty with reimbursement for continuing education, our plans for future growth through facility improvements, the Foundation is an essential part of our College going forward. We cannot do what we need to do for students without the Foundation and its support.

“I encourage people to come out and see Sara Evans, have a good time and do something good to support our community and our students,” Sullivan said.

For more information about becoming a sponsor or to purchase tickets, contact Cook at dcook@westcentraltech.edu or (770) 537-6010.

West Central Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas and Haralson counties, offers over 90 associate degree, diploma and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Central last year served over 10,000 students including credit enrollment, adult education, ESL classes, continuing education and corporate training. West Central is one of the fastest-growing technical colleges in Georgia.

Other News