Center Celebration 2025

Overview

Singer-songwriter Richard Marx will deliver an intimate solo performance as headliner for the Center Celebration 2025 presented by Ice Miller, the annual gala fundraiser for Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts.

The pop/rock and adult contemporary artist has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, making history as the only male artist to reach the Billboard Top 5 with his first seven singles, including “Hold On to the Nights” and “Don’t Mean Nothing.” He has scored 14 No. 1 singles as a performer and as a songwriter and producer, with at least one chart-topper in each of the past four decades.

Much earlier than usual, all publicly available tables are already sold out for the Sept. 20 event at the Palladium, which also celebrates Allied Solutions Center’s 15th anniversary in 2026. A limited number of sponsorship packages that include seating and other benefits are still available. More information can be found at TheCenterPresents.org/Gala.

“This is unprecedented,” President and CEO Jeffrey C. McDermott said. “The fact that the event sold out before we even announced our headline performer speaks volumes about the level of community support for our gala and the arts and educational programming we provide at Allied Solutions Center.”

Hosted by Artistic Director Michael Feinstein, the Center Celebration 2025 will begin with the First Merchants Bank Cocktail Reception and will include an elegant dinner in the Palladium concert hall, a live auction, Marx’s performance, and after-parties in the Brham Founders Club (sponsored by Will and Yasmin Stump) and the Robert Adam Room with live music, food and drink. All proceeds support Allied Solutions Center’s arts programming and its growing menu of education and enrichment opportunities for people of all ages. More information is available at TheCenterPresents.org/Gala.

Programs supported by the gala proceeds include the Peanut Butter & Jam performance series for families with young children; the Prism Project, a performing arts summer camp for youth with disabilities; free matinee performances and science presentations for school groups; a donor-funded Transportation Grant Program that reimburses transportation costs for school groups attending events; and arts classes for adults, including vocal music, songwriting, two levels of stand-up comedy instruction and three levels of ukulele instruction.

The gala revenue is generated through table reservations, corporate sponsorships, direct donations, and the auction for prize packages including luxury getaways and VIP professional sports experiences, donated by Allied Solutions Center supporters. This year’s Gala Steering Committee is co-chaired by Carmel residents Caroline and Michael Garvey, now serving their second year as co-chairs, and David and Annette Greene, serving the first of their two years as co-chairs.

Last year’s Center Celebration 2024 presented by Ice Miller, with trumpeter Chris Botti as the headliner, generated more than $588,000 in support of Allied Solutions Center’s mission “to inspire and engage the Indiana community with enriching arts experiences.”