Dust off your favorite ball gown or white tie and tails and swing into the Mayor’s Charity Ball, hosted by Mayor Ed FitzGerald, on Saturday, November 14, 7 p.m., at the Beck Center for the Arts. All proceeds from the Ball support the quality education and theater programs at the Beck Center.

For more than 78 years, Beck Center for the Arts, located at 17801 Detroit Avenue, has been a pivotal partner in the vitality of Lakewood. The largest cultural institution on Cleveland’s west side, the Beck Center is home to an award-winning  professional theater and offers more than 140 classes each week in dance, music, theater, visual arts, and creative arts therapies for artists of all ages.

Food and beverage take center stage! Several Lakewood restaurants and area businesses have shown their support for the Beck Center and are contributing to the event. They include: 56 West, Aladdin’s Eatery, The Beck Café, Blue Onion Take Out & Catering, Brennan’s Floral Gift Shop, Buckeye Beer Engine, Dewey’s Pizza, Edible Arrangements, Elmwood Home Bakery, Friendly Mini Mart, Great Lakes Brewing Company, India Garden, Italian Creations, Melt Bar and Grilled, North Coast Wine and Beer, Pacer’s, Panera Bread, Players on Madison, Route 6, Rozi’s Wine House, Sam’s Food and Beverage, and WineStyles. 

The evening will include live music from the Beck Center’s top talent and a silent auction of art from the area’s most renowned artists, including Mary Lou Ferbert, Yarek Godfrey, William Gould, Dr. Marcello Mellino, and Phyllis Seltzer. Mayor FitzGerald will also conduct the Presentation of the Key to the City to Lakewood residents Ellen and John Bryztwa.

Ellen and John have been married almost 35 years and have raised their four children in Lakewood. Over the years, they have served the community in a variety of ways and continue to stay very active through fundraising and community outreach. They were involved in saving and supporting Lakewood Hospital and Winterhurst, have housed immigrant families from Cambodia, and have hosted several fundraisers benefitting the YMCA, the Beck Center, and a variety of political candidates and organizations. This publicly spirited couple lives in their beautiful home on Nicholson Avenue, which is known to have the best view of downtown Cleveland 

Tickets are available in advance for a suggested contribution of $75 in advance and $100 at the door. Donations are tax deductible. Black tie is optional. For additional information, please contact Holly Lauch in the Mayor’s Office at Holly.Lauch@Lakewoodoh.net.

We extend a special thank you to our Host Committee: Lakewood City Council, Lakewood Alive, Cleveland Clinic Health Systems, Lakewood Hospital, Lakewood City School Board, Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, First Federal of Lakewood, Lakewood/Rocky River Sunrise Club and Rotary, Kiwanis, Live Well Lakewood, Prudential Lucien Realty, Pillars of Lakewood, Junior Women’s Club of Lakewood, The Lakewood Observer, and The Lakewood Public Library.