When Academy Award-winning director/actor/singer Kevin Costner was in these parts back in 2015 for New Friends New Life, the crowd at the meet-and-greet was so overwhelming that he seemed to be swallowed up by the gals in attendance. To provide a better chance for one and all to get a gander at him, organizers had him relocated upon the stage in the room, where with a boyish blush he thanked the guests for all the attention.
Not bad for a fellow whose big break came as the corpse in “Big Chill.”
Over the years his star power has only been enhanced by such movies as “The Untouchables”, “Bull Durham”, “Field of Dreams”, “Dances With Wolves”, “The Bodyguard”, etc.
Today, his lead role was the draw that helped launch the 2018 surprise mega-hit “Yellowstone,” leaving programming geniuses trying to figure “how did that happen?”
What some folks may not know is that, as a boy, Kevin sang in the First Baptist Choir. Over the years that love of singing was spurred on by his wife Christine Baumgartner to put together the Kevin Costner and Modern West band.
On Saturday, April 23, Kevin and his Modern West teammates are coming to North Texas to help raise funds for Emily’s Place’s 20th anniversary “Black Ties and Grassroots” gala at the Hyatt Regency Frisco.
According to organizers, “We knew that our 20th anniversary needed an extraordinary night, so this year we are celebrating bigger… bolder… and Costner-er! The theme of Black Ties and Grassroots was chosen to honor the humble beginnings of Emily’s Place 20 years ago that began with $15,000 along with a hope and a prayer! Today, we are a robust program that provides up to 2 years of housing, counseling, case management, transportation, education/job skills training, life skills programming and childcare! Emily’s Place provides a unique supportive community of care for up to 24 months in which women and their children have the time and support that they need to attain safe housing and financial stability. Because of you and this grassroots community, we are the bridge between emergency housing/homelessness to independence and adversity to opportunity.”
The evening will include a reception with silent auction, seated dinner with live auction and a performance by Kevin and his band.
While the individual tickets are already sold out, patron tickets are going for $1,000 per couple; sponsorships range from $2,500 to $10,000; and exclusive sponsorships that include a VIP Meet-And-Greet starting at $15,000 and topping out at $75,000.
You just know this one is gonna be a sell-out. As soon as you lock down your place, pick out your prettiest outfit and warm up your cellphone battery, because you’re gonna need it for heavy duty that night.
* Graphic courtesy of Emily's Place