ASHLAND — A lovely Italian night will be the backdrop for the Paramount Arts Center’s Spring Gala, scheduled for April 21 at Fannin Automotive Family Dealership on U.S. 60 in Summit.

Lisa Gallaher is the chairwoman with her husband, Damian, as chairman. She said the theme, “Bella Sera, which means “beautiful evening” in Italian, was inspired by her husband’s Italian heritage. The two were married in Favaro, Italy, and a picture of a comparable small Italian town, Cinque Terra, is on the cover of the invitation.

She said the decor will include potted olive trees at the front doors of the dealership, string lights above the seating area and green tablecloths topped with baskets of lemons.

The food will carry out the theme, too. Former Bellefonte Country Club chef Chris Ross, who recently moved to Louisville, will return to prepare the food, which will consist of hors d’oeuvres, followed by caprese salad and Tuscan bread salad, assorted breads, beef tenderloin with Parmesan polenta, prosciutto balsamic Brussels sprouts garnished with a housemade ricotta and spinach tortelloni and desserts including lemon tiramisu, chocolate expresso truffle and creme brulee.

“We’re really excited about the food,” Gallaher said. Italian wines will be served and, she said, Starbucks will offer an expresso bar.

“We’ll have cafe tables set up around the expresso bar so people can get a drink and have dessert,” she said.

The Sensations, a dance band from Lexington, and a special guest to be revealed later will provide entertainment. Music will range from beach music to classic rock to disco to Motown.

Although she has been a Paramount volunteer for years, this is the first time Gallaher has been chairwoman of the gala; she was co-chairwoman last year for chairwoman Kathy Layman.

“Being chair of the gala takes up two years of your life,” she said, noting the co-chairwomen position is grooming for the top job the next year. The importance of the event isn’t lost on her, though.

“Proceeds from the gala make up 20 percent of the Paramount’s operating budget,” she said, noting she’s hoping to bring in a good profit for the theater this year.

Gallaher said anyone who does not receive an invitation but would like to attend is welcome to call the Paramount and request an invitation.

She said tickets are selling well this year and she said she hopes the Paramount will sell at least 500 tickets.

The gala’s annual drawing for cash prizes returns this year. Each ticket is $100. The first ticket drawn will win $20,000; the second will win $10,000 and the third through seventh tickets will win $1,000 each.

The drawing will be at the gala, but winners don’t have to be present to win. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold.

Tables may be reserved by calling Sharon Walkter at (606) 324-1787 or (740) 646-6250. Tables are available at the following sponsorship levels:

Platinum Sponsorship — $10,000; Three tables for eight; full-page ad in program book; listing in program book; recognition on table cards. $7,840 is tax deductible.

Gold Sponsorship — $6,000; Two tables for eight; half-page ad in program book; listing in program book; recognition on table cards. $4,560 is tax deductible.

Silver Sponsorship — $3,000; One table for eight; quarter-page ad in the program book; listing in program book; recognition on table cards. $2,280 is tax deductible.

Bronze Sponsorship — $1,500 – Four tickets to the event, plus eighth-page ad in the program book; listing in the program book. $1,140 is tax deductible.

Patron Sponsorship — $750 - Two tickets to the gala; listing in the program book. $570 is tax deductible.

The Paramount Arts Center’s Spring Gala will be April 21 at Fannin Automotive Family Dealership. Chairman and chairwoman are Damian and Lisa Gallaher and co-chairman and chairwoman are Mark and Mikailyn Estep. Individual tickets are $225 and table sponsorship opportunities are available. To coincide with the gala, there will be the annual silent auction and cash drawing. Tickets for the cash drawing are $100 and there will be a $20,000, $10,000 and five $1,000 winners. Proceeds go the Paramount. For more information, call the Paramount at (606) 324-3175 or email kimw@paramountartscenter.com. To purchase tickets for the drawing, call Diane Clements at (606) 694-0440.

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.