‘Play it Again, Sam’ makes Charles City debut

By Kate Hayden, khayden@charlescitypress.com

While north Iowa is surrounded by shades of winter, the Charles City Arts Center is inviting residents to experience the warm intrigue of 1942 Morocco.

‘Play it Again, Sam’ is a dinner-and-movie screening fundraiser scheduled for Jan. 20 at 6 p.m.

The night offers a Moroccan-style dinner and live entertainment by pianist Sam Crosser (of the band Nova Jazz), and a screening of the movie “Casablanca” at the Charles City Arts Center. Reservations are $30 a ticket for the semi-formal event.

“Art is about spurring the imagination. If you look back at the forties, that’s what was going on — there was a lot of politics, everything was getting ugly,” Arts Center director Jacqueline Davidson said. “Let’s take things back to Morocco … as a little escape for the winter.”

Diners can expect a French-Moroccan inspired meal with Moroccan chicken, couscous and a salad. The center will also serve champagne.

“I thought, ‘what would Rick serve at the Cafe Americain?'” board member and event chef Stewart Dalton said.

Diners would be granted “letters of transit” in lieu of tickets as a part of the night’s theme, Davidson said.

Members of the revived Stony Point Theater Troupe will run “Casablanca” trivia throughout the dinner. Scenery posters are painted by Charles City artist Ann Schneckloth.

The event is limited to 30 seats, and reservations must be made by Jan. 18, Dalton said. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6 p.m.

Diners can make reservations by calling the Arts Center during business hours at 641-228-6284, or by emailing at charlescityarts@gmail.com.

Any weather postponements would be made earlier in the week, and reservations would be honored for a rescheduled date.