YWCA fundraising banquet becomes annual affair of local art, culture and community.

Local YWCA executive director Linda Joyce said last year’s inaugural Arts Alive banquet and auction was a leap of faith.

A member of the YWCA board of directors had a dream about a way in which the board could combine the work they were doing — helping victims of domestic abuse at the ALIVE shelter — with a night-out-on-the-town type of event where there would be all kinds of food and culture and entertainment, and people from all walks of life celebrating and supporting the cause.

The board organized a collection of local artists and community members around the idea and took that leap of faith — landing an affair to remember and $21,000 for the ALIVE program, Joyce said.

And they’re keeping it alive again this year.

The second annual Arts ALIVE banquet and auction will begin with a red carpet entrance starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Norm Dicks Government Center in downtown Bremerton.

“Red carpet cocktail attire” encouraged, they say.

Giving credence to the cause, the uber-philanthropic Total Experience Gospel Choir requested to be a part of Arts ALIVE again this year, after performing last year for basically the price of their ferry tickets in return, Joyce said.

They’ll join a Hawaiian-style reggae band called Tropical Sensation and belly dancers from a local dance troupe in providing the entertainment on the evening. There will also be dinner catered by Bremerton’s Ambrosia Catering and an auction of artwork donated by local artists.

Also, new this year, there will be a marketplace for perusal at the event, featuring local merchants like Amy’s Decadent Chocolates.

Admission for the whole shebang is $25, and “every last penny benefits our ALIVE shelter for domestic violence victims and other projects that support that,” Joyce said.

Call (360) 479-0522 to reserve tickets.

Info: www.ywcaartsalive.com.