Second City troupe to perform in benefit at Burnsville PAC

The Burnsville Rotary will present "Comedy for Caring" featuring the Second City as its 36th annual fundraiser on April 30 at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center.

The Second City, founded in 1959 in Chicago, has produced many of the comedy world's best and brightest, including most of the original cast of "Saturday Night Live": John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner, as well as George Wendt, Martin Short, John Candy and many others.

With support from the Walser Foundation, the Rotary is bringing the comedy theater group to town for a special performance of the best sketches, songs and improvisations from Second City's 50-year history.

The show begins at 8 p.m., but a pre-show party will start at 6 p.m., with live and silent auctions, complimentary appetizers and drink, plus music by the Real Big Band, an 18-piece jazz ensemble.

Proceeds will help support more than two-dozen local nonprofit organizations, such as 360 Communities, DARTS, Meals on Wheels and Tee it Up for the Troops.

Tickets are $35. VIP seating, which includes a meet-and-greet with Second City cast members, are $75. They are available at the Arts Center box office or through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com or 800-982-2787.

Foundation to host gala on April 12The Eagan Foundation is sponsoring a "Denim & Diamonds" gala fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. April 12, featuring wine tasting, a silent auction and live entertainment at the Eagan Community Center.

Proceeds will help fund scholarship programs, community initiatives and local grant-making.

This is the 20th anniversary of the Eagan Foundation, which began awarding scholarships to Eagan students in 1991. The event organizers are encouraging those who attend to "dress up their denim in fun and creative ways."

Tickets are $40 through April 5; after that, they will cost $50. They may be purchased at eaganfoundation.org; $23 of the ticket price is tax-deductible.

Symphony plans two concerts March 20The Dakota Valley Symphony will present two concerts on March 20 at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center.

The chamber orchestra, chorus and soloists will perform Baroque selections as well as Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in the Arts Center's Black Box Theatre.

The concerts are set for 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $5 for students. Go to www.burnsvillepac.com or call 952-895-4680.

STAFF REPORTS