The ARTrageous Gala, the primary fundraiser for Scottsdale Arts, will begin 6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6, at Scottsdale Civic Center, 7380 E. Second Street.

The theme for this year’s gala is “Cosmic Crescendo,” and the multidisciplinary arts organization plans to capture the essence of a solar eclipse.

In addition to culinary offerings and photo opportunities, the event will feature various art forms such as dance, music and contemporary art merging together. Collaborative acts and interactive art stations will foster a sense of shared creativity.

The gala will include a red-carpet arrival, live auction and multiple dining options, all under the stars for its second year at the recently renovated Scottsdale Civic Center.

Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Randy Johnson — known to locals as the Diamondbacks pitcher when they won the World Series a couple of decades ago — will appear at the annual ARTrageous Gala. In honor of the solar eclipse, and due to Scottsdale Arts' ongoing collaboration with Johnson for his photography exhibition at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, he has agreed to donate two of his photographs for the live and silent auctions. 

This annual event is the primary fundraiser for the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts, which includes Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale Public Art, Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, Canal Convergence and Civic Center LIVE.

Constellation Club tickets are $650 each or $6,500 for a table of 10.  Constellation Club ticketholders may navigate between four gourmet food stations before returning to their reserved seating, which features wine service and exclusive lounge areas.

General admission Galaxy tickets are $450 each or $4,500 for a set of 10. This option also features four gourmet food stations but in an open-seating experience with the choice of high-tops or tables scattered throughout.

The menu for both options features cosmic-inspired dishes and drinks — incorporating elements of light and darkness to represent the solar eclipse. Guests are encouraged to dress in upscale and artistic attire that matches the night’s celestial theme.

Per tradition, Scottsdale Arts will recognize multiple awardees during the evening’s events. This year’s honorees include the following:

• Herberger Award for the Arts: John and Karen Voris
• Corporate Trailblazer: Nationwide
• Trailblazing Artist: Dorothy Fratt

“In celebrating Scottsdale Arts with our ‘Cosmic Crescendo’ theme at The ARTrageous Gala, we are recognizing an extraordinarily successful year and a new lifecycle in the history of our organization,” said Dr. Gerd Wuestemann, president and CEO of Scottsdale Arts. “With Scottsdale Civic Center and its three outdoor stages fully activated, an entire new generation of culture lovers is discovering Scottdale once again as an arts destination. And the ‘crescendo’ of our evolution is just beginning; with a new, small theater project on the horizon and a vision for a future expansion of SMoCA and Learning & Innovation facilities, the development of this already wonderful arts campus into one of the finest destinations in the Southwest is definitely in the stars.”

Proceeds from The ARTrageous Gala support the dynamic arts and innovation programs at Scottsdale Arts. Visit Gala.ScottsdaleArts.org.