Call it a curtain call for a successful run of crazy concerts.
Ivy Tech Community College Foundation is organizing one last Dueling Pianos International musical comedy scholarship fundraiser Jan. 24 at The Commons in downtown Columbus. Leaders said it will mark the eighth such show, many of which have sold out.
And then foundation leaders will pivot to a fundraiser in April on what will be an all-day Ivy Tech Day fundraiser with activities on and off campus, according to Therese Copeland, the foundation’s vice chancellor of development.
She made the announcement Wednesday, and said details for April are just beginning to take shape. Plus, plans to make the concert a little different, and a little more special than previous ones also are being developed.
“Since this is our last one (concert), we’d like to share the impact our generous community has had on our students,” Copeland said.
Last year’s concert raised $33,000.
The foundation’s emergency student scholarships range from $250 to sometimes as much as $1,500, Copeland said.
The 21-and-older event generates funds from ticket sales and donations during the concert for two pianists to play certain songs — or even to not play certain songs, be they pop, rock, country, show tunes, you name it.
The gathering is heavily geared to audience participation and crowd sing-alongs. Since the annual fundraiser began in 2017, favorite tunes have ranged from “Y.M.C.A.” to “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
The latter tune especially has taken on comic proportions will a variety of silly props and more. Humorous costuming also becomes a part of the show.
“We always say that you don’t necessarily have to sing good,” said Jason Scarcelli of Lorio-Ross Entertainment, which operates Dueling Pianos International. “You just have to be loud.”
And maybe willing to play along with the performing pianists’ humor. Last year, they pulled Chelsie Shaull from the school foundation onto the stage to play some of the opening notes from a song from Seymour native John Mellencamp.
“I mixed up the keys,” Shaull said with a laugh.
But she said she had a great time at her first Dueling Pianos evening.
“It’s a fantastic environment and super fun,” Shaull said.
Tickets for that final concert will go on sale Dec. 2.
Dueling pianos’ origins go back decades to New Orleans, according to websites. In 1933, Pat O’Brien opened in New Orleans, and featured two grand pianos and two players who would take turns singing songs requested by the audience.
