The Baltimore Sun Auction for CENTERSTAGE Begins 2/6

Exciting news as CENTERSTAGE gears up for its annual auction-just two weeks away: The online fundraising site, BiddingForGood, has just released their listing of "10 Auctions That Rocked 2012," and in 2012 The Baltimore Sun Auction for CENTERSTAGE made the list.

The 2013 Baltimore Sun Auction for CENTERSTAGE officially kicks off on Wednesday, February 6, with an online item preview. Bidding goes live on Sunday, February 10 and closes on Monday, February 25, at www.centerstage.org/auction.

And CENTERSTAGE is still welcoming donations to the online auction! To donate, contact Sydney Wilner, Auction Coordinator, at 410.986.4025 or swilner@centerstage.org.

For 36 years, CENTERSTAGE's annual auction has been one of the theater's largest fundraising events. Throughout its history, the auction has raised close to $5 million for the theater's artistic, education, and community programming. As CENTERSTAGE has come a long way over the last 50 years, the auction has as well. For more than 30 years, the auction was hosted by Baltimore radio station WBAL 1090 AM. Listeners called in when they heard their desired item mentioned on the air.

This year marks the third year the auction has been hosted exclusively online. With the click of a mouse, a purchaser is able to place a bid and view others bids in real time. Now people around the country-and the world-have the opportunity to bid on more than 500 hundred unique items and experiences.

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary, many generous vendors from Baltimore and around the country have graciously donated items. Just a sampling includes:

· A John Waters personalized recording for your voicemail

· 2 tickets to the Ravens opening game of the 2014 Season

· 2 tickets to the Orioles opening day game of the 2014 Season

· Condor Airline tickets to Frankfurt

· A years' worth of massages

· A years' supply of beer

· An ice skating party for up to 300

· Seadream Yacht Caribbean Cruise

· Tax Prep

· Artwork from Baltimore artists and artisans

· Restaurant gift certificates

· Tickets to area theaters

· Many travel getaways

The Annual CENTERSTAGE Online Auction is sponsored by The Baltimore Sun with additional support from M&T Bank, The Baltimore Life Companies, Chesapeake Plywood, LLC, Bay Imagry, Inc., Stevenson University, and WYPR.

CENTERSTAGE, the State Theater of Maryland, celebrates its 50th Anniversary Season in 2012-13. The professional, nonprofit company serves as a local hub and national leader for provocative, entertaining theater and as a catalyst for conversation in the community. Each year, a broad range of productions in two intimate performance spaces attracts a highly diverse audience of more than 100,000 people-including more than 8,000 fiercely loyal members. Under the leadership of acclaimed playwright, actor, and director Kwame Kwei-Armah (Artistic Director) and national arts leader Stephen Richard (Managing Director), CENTERSTAGE enters its 50th year with a renewed dedication to the production of world-class theater in the heart of Baltimore.

CENTERSTAGE's 50th Anniversary is made possible by presenting partner M&T Bank, and support from DLA Piper, The Rouse Company Foundation, T. Rowe Price and the T. Rowe Price Foundation, Ellen and Ed Bernard, Stephanie and Ashton Carter, James and Janet Clauson, Lynn and Tony Deering and The Charlesmead Foundation, Jane and Larry Droppa, Terry H. Morgenthaler and Patrick Kerins, Judy and Scott Phares, Phil and Lynn Rauch, Jay and Sharon Smith, and Barbara Voss and Charles E. Noell, III; with additional support from Kathleen Hyle, Kenneth C. and Elizabeth M. Lundeen, and Sylvan/Laureate Foundation; and season media partners Maryland Public Television, The Baltimore Sun, WYPR, and WBAL.

CENTERSTAGE is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. An agency of the Department of Business & Economic Development, the MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to non-profit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities. Funding for the Maryland State Arts Council is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

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