CMFA dedicates Pub Night to Lize Wessels
By Rachel Haynie

Cyd Berry rummaged through Columbia Music Festival Association's (CMFA) prop room for wooden pub signs made years ago by a loyal volunteer. When the signs come out, its time again to convert CMFA's Pulaski Street Artspace into an English pub, but only for the night, February 3.

"Lize Wessels, a true Brit, came up with this idea 25 years ago. I believe Pub Night is the oldest fund-raiser in the midlands," said Berry, now president of CMFA.

A regulation English Dart Tournament, coordinated by dartsmaster Joe Hodson, and pails of English ale and beer to wash down the Bangers and Scottish eggs are all part of the draw.

In the event's early years, board members made the food themselves, in the kitchen at the Woman's Club on Blossom Street. Berry recalled, "Lize, who hailed from Cornwall, knew exactly how much sausage we needed to buy and exactly how much bread we needed to blend in to make the mixture stick around the Scottish eggs."

When CMFA moved to its 914 Pulaski Street location, Pub Night food preparations were relinquished to Southern Way Catering. "That has worked out well, especially since the event keeps growing," Berry said. "They do a great job."

Berry said drawings and door prizes contributed by area merchants add to the festivity. Joe Pinner, a long- time friend of Wessels' will reprise his role as emcee for the event which begins at 7:30 pm.

"We lost Lize, a founding board member, last year at Christmas time, so this year's event is dedicated to her memory," said Berry, who for many years directed The Columbia Dance Theatre now the Dance Theatre of Columbia.

"Some who attend make it an annual affair, but it always attracts new young people who just want to have the English pub experience," said Charlie Sterne, co- chair of Pub Night.

The festive evening raises money to supplement the myriad components of CMFA's mission as an arts resource for the community. For ticket information, call 803-771-6303.