The 22nd annual Magic Barrel raised over $8,000 for Linn Benton Food Share
Golden light melting ice-blue paint, swirling up the ancient walls. Warm golden light bouncing off of the notes being flung from the piano, the cello, and the trumpet. Light reflecting the laughter of hundreds of people, floating along the scent of sweet fermentation and freshly-baked bread.
Friday, Oct. 24, the life danced once again through the heart of Corvallis’ historic Whiteside Theater, the way it most certainly did almost a century ago.
Nine local authors all came together, sharing seven minutes of their works in what organizer Gregg Kleiner called “The literary event of the Willamette Valley.”
“We are all drawn to stories. There are flashlights illuminating our way through the darkness,” Kleiner said.
Well over 500 people came together last weekend, raising over $8,000 for the 22nd Annual Magic Barrel — a reading fundraiser that benefits the Linn Benton Food Share.
“Corvallis has 55,000 people and 600 people came,” Kleiner said. “If the same percentage happened in New York City, that would be enough to fill one and a half Yankee stadiums!”
A compilation of Corvallis musicians, calling themselves “LMNO,” kicked off the event at 6:30 p.m., flooding the historic building with Jazz. People snacked on treats donated by local businesses, and sipped on drinks for purchase by Squirrel’s Tavern.
Grass Roots Books & Music in Corvallis had the authors’ work for sale, donating all of the net profit from the books sold that night to the fundraiser.
“Everyone helping here tonight is a volunteer,” Jack Wolcott, owner and founder of Grass Roots Books and Music, said. “The community has been so supportive to us, so this is our way of giving back.”
At 7 p.m. Kleiner took the stage to welcome everyone to the event. He then invited Linn-Benton Community College’s Professor Allison Clement to say a few words.
“Writing 115 is a unique class. There’s something so fresh and so special about the students,” said Clement, as she dedicated the night to the students and professor killed in Roseburg’s school shooting a few weeks ago.
And with that, Kleiner introduced the crowd to Oregon State University’s bubbly, award-winning essayist and English professor, Elana Passarello, who took the stage over as the emcee.
It was then that Passarello introduced the crowd to the event’s “swear jar.” Audience members were encouraged to pin an explanation of an instance in which they may have practiced their French to a dollar bill. Then it was collected by OSU volunteers for the “swear jar.” The emcee’s favorites were read off during intermission.
One slip of paper read, “fell down stairs.” A fifty was attached.
The sparkly-eyed emcee was determined to raise more money for The Magic Barrel than anyone before her.
“I just want you all to know I am here to win!” said Passarello. “I am wildly competitive.”
Passarello wasn’t kidding. Funds for over 120,000 pounds of food were gathered for this year’s record-breaking total. The “swear jar” alone brought in $793, which is 11,895 pounds of food.
“Hunger is so hard to spot,” said Passarello. “But it is there.”
According to The Oregon Food Bank, nearly one in five households in Oregon struggle with hunger. Last year alone, the Linn Benton Food Share distributed 49,000 boxes of food to people in need.
The seamless evening continued as the authors, each with their own unique styles, took the stage. The night was fully engaging and the authors were honored by the tremendous turnout.
One of the authors to read that night was OSU Professor, Tracey Daughtery, whose latest biography, The Last Love Song, is a New York Times Bestseller.
“If I were better with words,” Daughtery punned, “I could express my gratitude… But all I know how to say, is ‘Thank you.’”
Another author who presented was one of LBCC’s writing professors, Karelia Stetz-Waters. Her purple scarf glittered in the lights as she read from her book Forgive me if I’ve told You This Before.
For seven delightful minutes the audience sat in silence, hanging on to the poetic flow of her story, stitched together with genius bursts of humor and emotion. Stets-Waters’ charismatic preview of her work was entertaining, colorful, and full of passion.
“I am so honored. Seeing an entire theater full of people to support the arts and to support a good cause says great things about our community,” said Stetz-Waters.
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