Community members and supporters of the arts are invited to attend “Wonderland at the Lied: A Mad Hatter’s Ball” Feb. 15 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. The gala is sponsored and hosted by the Friends of Lied.

The event will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 on the Lied Center stage. Guests can dance to music provided by Musivo Live from Kansas City or visit the nearby Carson Theater for a relaxing lounge atmosphere.

The gala will feature silent and live auctions with many items offered by businesses and individuals across the state, including handcrafted jewelry and artwork, such as a pair of contemporary Sandhill cranes by bronze sculptor David Biehl. Other items include a Lincoln Saltdogs skybox, Sandhill crane viewing package and Lied Center VIP experiences. Attendees can even bid on an opportunity to sing on stage with the band at the gala.

The silent auction will be facilitated online via mobile devices using Qtego auction technology. Friends of Lied volunteers will be available to assist. Those unable to attend the gala can still bid online.

Proceeds from the evening will enable patrons from across the state to share their passion for the performing arts while supporting the mission of the Friends of Lied — to provide all Nebraskans access to world-class performing arts. Donations support the group’s mission by providing on-stage programming, free tickets for underserved children and adults, and educational outreach across the state.

The Friends of Lied includes more than 1,000 members in support of the Lied Center and has contributed more than $6 million to the Lied’s mission to cultivate the performing arts in Nebraska. The Friends of Lied Board has presented the biennial gala as a fundraising effort since 1994.

Reservations can be made here. Tickets can be purchased individually or as part of a table package. For more information or to give a gift to the Friends of Lied, contact Amy Ossian at aossian2@unl.edu or 402-472-4704.