Sinatra on stage — one night only

The time is ripe so get ready to step back to a time when the Rat Pack ruled Las Vegas and the sounds of Sinatra was all you ever needed. Madera Community Hospital Foundation is hosting a first-of-its-kind fundraising event on May 3. The Gala will be held in the MCH Open Air Theater across from the Emergency Department on the hospital campus.

“Launching our celebration of May as National Hospital Month, we are calling it “Fly me to the Moon an Evening with Sinatra,” said Sherrie Bakke, director of business affairs at MCH.

The sit-down dinner offers a five Star meal produced by MCH Custom Caterers. Guests will dine on salad, bacon-wrapped filets and prawns, sautéed asparagus with an authentic pistachio cannoli for dessert. A vegetarian meal is also available upon request.

“There is a martini reception beginning at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 and show at 8,” Bakke said.

It’s a cash bar with silent and live auctions. The offerings this year include jewelry from Leighton’s Jewelers, 49er tickets, vacations and more, she said.

The auctioneer will be Flint Epps, recommended by Tim Sissil, who was unavailable for this event.

“Tickets are $125 per person with seating options as follows. A top-table of eight are in the “It Was a Very Good Year,” level, or the “I Get a Kick Out of You,” level is a table of four or have a table of two in “The Way You Look Tonight,” section Bakke said.

Guests are invited to dress comfortably for the gala, she said. But don’t be surprised to see cocktail dresses, double-breasted suits and fedoras in the style the Chairman of the Board Francis Albert Sinatra himself favored. His signature look became a sort of uniform worn for the best parties and social gatherings in that great post-war era of innocence.

“It is, after all, an outdoor garden party,” Bakke said.

A Frank Sinatra Tribute Band will croon and swoon through the hits that made Old Blue Eyes sparkle.

A limited number of tickets are still available by calling the MCH Foundation, 675-5502. This call will be routed through the hospital’s email system should the operator not be immediately available.