The bachelors and bachelorettes in this year’s “Let’s Make A Date” auction for the St. John School of the Arts are fine-tuning the performances they will put on in hopes of getting the highest bid at the Saturday, February 10, event at the Westin ballroom.
The bachelors and bachelorettes know that in order to compete with last year’s highest bid-winner — the art school founder Sis Frank, who brought in a total of $2,850 — they will have to do more than simply strut down the stage.
Perhaps in the spirit of competition, many of this year’s bachelors and bachelorettes are remaining mum on how they plan to wow the crowd.
Jones, Zuber, Varlack To Return
Kwanzaa Jones, who participated in last year’s auction soon after arriving home from a tour of duty in Iraq, donned cama-flouge and did push-ups, bringing in $600.
Jones has not yet decided how he will impress the crowd at this year’s auction.
“I’m not sure what I’ll do yet,” he said. “I had a lot of fun last year. It was my first time being back home, and I got to meet a lot of people.”
Also scheduled to return to this year’s auction is Jeremy Zuber, who stripped off his shirt and even gave the audience a sneak peek at his underwear.
Last year’s second highest bid-winner, Rodney Varlack, is scheduled for a repeat performance as well.
At the 2006 auction, Varlack strutted down the catwalk in style in an all-white suit, bringing in a total of $2,550.
Benefiting Children
Local singer Shatik Stephens, who performed last year with fellow singer Chezni Charles, will also return to this year’s auction, she explained.
“The difference is, last year I did it with my cousin Chezni, while this year I’m doing it alone,” said Stephens, who did not reveal what song she will sing.
Stephens, who teaches singing at the St. John School of the Arts, is participating to benefit the children, she explained.
“The way I see it, it benefits our kids,” said Stephens. “Any-thing that will benefit the children is important to me, so I’ll do anything I can to help.”
A newcomer to this year’s auction, Tara Tidwell, also teaches at the art school.
Piano Teacher, Chef To Participate
“They asked me to do it to help them raise money, and I’m all about that,” said Tidwell, who teaches piano at the school. “I work at Morgan’s Mango as a bartender and manager, but I try to help out whenever they have things going on at the school.”
Tidwell does have one obstacle she must overcome to participate in the bachelorette auction.
“I have major stage fright,” said Tidwell.
Another newcomer to this year’s auction is Asolare chef John Young.
“I just think it will be a fun thing to do, and if I can help out in any way, that makes it even better,” said Young. “Sis from the arts school approached me a couple of months ago about it and told me I’d be perfect. I told her that I’d do whatever; it was no problem at all.”
Young has not yet crafted his performance, however, he did hint that he may incorporate a chef’s coat into his act.
Playing with Fire
Acting St. John Fire Chief Winnie Powell will bring her talents to this year’s auction.
“I love doing anything I can for the kids, whether it’s donating time or myself to helping the kids get what they need in school,” said Powell. “Education means a lot to me, so when they asked me, I didn’t hesitate.”
Powell has different skills to choose from for her performance at the auction, she explained.
“I play with fire all the time, but I do a couple of other things that I could do to bring that bid up a little bit,” said Powell. “I sing, so maybe I’ll perform a song or something. Perhaps that will help bring the bid up so we get some money for the kids.”
