Startup sock hop to benefit gym renovation

The Sky Valley Arts Council is encouraging families to break out their poodle skirts and leather jackets for a night of 50s-themed fun at the Startup Gym Fundraiser Dance and Silent Auction.

The event mimics an authentic 1950s sock hop, and takes place 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Startup Gym. The family friendly event includes live DJs, dance instruction and refreshments, plus an art-themed silent auction, featuring items handcrafted by local artists. The suggested donation for entry is $10 for adults and $20 for families.-á -á

Funds raised at the event will support the Startup Gym renovation project, currently underway.

"We are excited to welcome everyone to the dance and silent auction event and to celebrate the initial steps achieved in making the gym into a community gem ' to be know going forward as the "Startup Event Center,' GÇ¥ said Sky Valley Arts Council President Mary Ritzman.

The event will be emceed by DJs Christina Nelson and Jennifer Marzolf of Power Team Entertainment, who will provide dance instruction throughout the evening. The exterior of the gym will be lit up by Larry Younger from Sound-Light Karaoke, and the interior will feature crepe paper decorations just like a traditional sock hop.

Commemorative bandanas designed by a local artist are currently available at the Sky Valley Visitors Information Center in Sultan, and will be sold as souvenirs at the event. The silent auction will showcase artwork donated by local artists Amber Strehle and Annie Walker, both of whom grew up going to the Startup Gym.

Since its formation in 2014, the Sky Valley Arts Council has had its sights set on restoring the Startup Gym. It took several months to navigate the legal channels necessary for the council to obtain access to the property, a task accomplished by project manager Debbie Copple. The Startup Gym is owned by the Sultan School District, and since public school districts are not able to gift public funds or property, the lease negotiations included many intricacies.

The council obtained access late last summer, and has been fundraising and working on renovations ever since. The largest priority was fixing the roof, which has been completely replaced.-á -á

"The current status of the building is early renovation. The roof has been replaced to keep the interior dry, and our next project is to repair the exterior to make the building weatherproof,GÇ¥ Ritzman said. "Sky Valley Arts Council continues to seek grants and volunteers to help keep the renovation momentum going.GÇ¥

The Startup Gym is located at 14315 366th Ave. S.E. in Startup. For more information about the sock hop, visit http://skyvalleyartscouncil.com/.