Our first "Gala"

Having spent the first 55 years of my life in rural Ohio I don't recall ever attending a "gala." I watched Entertainment Tonight so I was aware that "galas" existed, but not where we lived. A "gala" usually involves a big name celebrity being honored by a group of their peers. Think ... the Kennedy Center Honors ... that's a gala. The honored star sits in one of those ornate theater boxes and a string of entertainers perform on stage and salute the honoree.

Well, a few weeks back I noted in the nocal newspaper that there was going to be a "gala" honoring the 25-year recording career of Michael W. Smith. Tickets were priced at up to $250. I noted that "up to" so just for fun I checked it out. It seems there were a few tickets priced at $35 and since I had called the first day they were on sale I snatched up a pair. After all, how often do you find affordable "gala" tickets.

For Barb the words "I got tickets to a gala" meant "I have a reason to buy a new dress. Unfortunately, the reality that we no longer have employment income and the sudden stress on our retirement income I used my best Ricky Ricardo imitation and told her, "Lucy, you can't spend money on a dress."

Lucy didn't listen and neither did Barb.

But Barb is a far more creative shopper than Lucy!!

Since it is still summer in Nashville (it was 85 degrees yesterday) Barb figured she could find an appropriate summer dress on sale, since is IS the middle of October. She also has learned that she never goes to a store without a coupon. So armed with a $10 off coupon she headed out to Fashion Bug.

Now I am totally uncertain how this all played out, but Barb found a dress that had been marked down a number of times. Then she got an extra discount if she she used her store credit card (since she had not used it for awhile). Then they applied her $10 coupon and the cash register rang up her final price .... SEVEN CENTS! This is not a lie or even a David-truth-stretcher. She got her dress for SEVEN CENTS!!! God bless the American economy!

So last night we headed to downtown Nashville to the symphony hall for the "gala." I was disappointed that there was no red carpet, but there were limos pulling up and there was some television station broadcasting live as we walked by. Had they asked Barb for her designer information she would have had to admit "Fashion Bug." I was dressed in J.C. Penney, in case anyone asked.

I can honestly saw I was impressed with the whole "gala" experience. There was a 150-voice choir accompanied by a full orchestra as well as Michael W. Smith's own musicians. Emcees included gospel legend Bill Gaither, AOL founder Steve Case, Franklin Graham (Billy's son), and author Max Lucado. Guest performers included Wynonna, Amy Grant, and Ricky Skaggs. Three American Idol alum (winner Jordin Sparks and finalists Melinda Doolittle and Phil Stacey) also performed and were really quite good. I was extremely impressed with their professionalism. There were letters read from both President Bushes, Bono, and Billy Graham. There were other stars in the crowd. All in all, it was everything you would expect of a "gala." Barb and I behaved ourselves and fit right in!

I do believe the rural areas of America would benefit from more "galas." We need to stop calling them "variety shows." We need to build a luxury box in every small town auditorium just for the purpose of hosting a "gala." Not only would it pick up everyone's spirit but I think it would pick up the entire economy if more people had a reason to go out an purchase a new dress for seven cents!