Near West Theatre “Barrington Wine Classic”

About 300 guests attended the 14th annual Barrington Wine Classic, an event that benefitted the Near West Theatre.

The spectacular evening, presented at the Barrington Golf Club in Aurora, featured a wine tasting of Napa Valley selections as well as those from around the world, with Beringer serving as the featured Vintner. Guests enjoyed delectable dining options from various food stations, luxury car rides courtesy of the Western Reserve Historical Society, a live auction and a performance from the youth at the Near West Theatre that artistic director Bob Mavis helped to create. The event was capped off with a fireworks display.

Tim Novotny and Jim Schoff served as co-chairs of the event, and worked alongside a volunteer committee. Bob Hale served as Emcee and auctioneer.
Food presented by Barrington Golf Club and local guest chefs featured a variety of gourmet and creative items. In addition to the entrees, featuring seafood, beef, soups, and more, there were exotic fruit displays and stunning ice carvings.

The “Fund a Need” portion of the evening provides essential support for the theatre’s 40-year mission of building loving relationships and engaging diverse people in strengthening their sense of identity, passion and purpose, individually and in community, through transformational theatre arts experiences.

The theater serves more than 300 youth annually and during its 40th anniversary season, welcomed more than 14,500 people, and more than 3,000 youth. Near West Theater takes pride in providing a safe space for all, no matter their circumstances. Of the youth who have long-term engagement with the Near West Theatre, 98 percent successfully graduate from high school.
The theatre celebrated the opening of its new facility in the Gordon Square Arts District in the winter of 2015. The Barrington Wine Classic is one of two major fundraisers for the theatre. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY SUE REID