A gala evening featuring live music, fine dining and inspiring stories raised more than 0,000 to support arts experiences and educational opportunities throughout Central Indiana.

Center Celebration 2026, presented by Ice Miller, brought supporters to the Payne & Mencias Palladium for a cocktail reception, multicourse dinner, live auction and two after-parties featuring live music. The evening was headlined by folk-rock group The Bacon Brothers.

Although Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts is widely known for its Center Presents concert series featuring national and international artists, the gala highlighted the nonprofit’s extensive lineup of free and affordable community programs.

Offerings for children and young people include performances, classes, camps, free matinees for school groups, arts camps for youth with disabilities and question-and-answer sessions connecting high school and college students with touring artists. Adult programs include a book club, speaker series and classes in singing, songwriting, ukulele and stand-up comedy.

Michael Feinstein, artistic director for Allied Solutions Center and founder of the affiliated Great American Songbook Foundation, returned as the evening’s emcee. Accompanied by musical director Tedd Firth on piano, Feinstein opened the celebration with “The Best Is Yet to Come” by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh and “L-O-V-E” by Bert Kaempfert and Milt Gabler.

Following dinner and the live auction, The Bacon Brothers delivered an energetic set of original songs accompanied by humorous stories and banter. The six-piece band is led by actor and musician Kevin Bacon and his brother, award-winning composer Michael Bacon.

“This is a nice theater you got here,” Kevin Bacon joked between songs. “We don’t usually play in places this nice.”

The brothers closed their performance with Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose,” the chart-topping theme from Kevin Bacon’s 1984 breakout film. The familiar anthem brought the black-tie audience to its feet.

Proceeds from table reservations, donations, auction bids and sponsorships totaled $561,512, Allied Solutions Center President and CEO Jeffrey C. McDermott announced during the program.

“We’re incredibly grateful for this community of generous residents, businesses and civic leaders who understand the importance of the arts and continue to support our mission year after year,” McDermott said.

David and Annette Greene served their second and final year as co-chairs of the Gala Steering Committee. Carl Butler and Jeff Goens also co-chaired this year’s event and will lead planning for the 2027 celebration.

Center Celebration 2027, presented by Ice Miller, is scheduled for Saturday, September 18, at the Payne & Mencias Palladium. Table reservations are available at the 2026 price levels through October 22. More information is available at TheCenterPresents.org/Gala.