2nd annual ‘Fashion + Function + Art’ premieres tonight

“Fashion + Function + Art” has always been the tagline for Optiks, a small eyecare and designer eyewear business on Kirkwood Avenue. Optiks is using that same motto to help out the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in a benefit event that will feature local fashion, food, music and performances. \n“There’s a correlation between what we do with eyeglasses and what they do with art at this event,” said Ron Hawkins, the owner and optometrist of Optiks.\nFashion + Function + Art will kick off at 7 p.m. tonight to reveal not only endless amounts of art and entertainment, but also a display of community pride and support. \n“(Fashion + Function + Art) is a great way to show community support and to support a theater that brings so much business to downtown,” Hawkins said. \nSixty Bloomington businesses were involved in the event’s debut last year, and even more are joining for the second event this year.\n“You’ll notice that no chains are involved, only businesses in Bloomington,” Hawkins said. “We try to stay away from the chains and support the mom and pop.”\nAerialists from the Bloomington High Flyers will open the show, and Cardinal Stage Company will perform a musical number previewing its upcoming production of “Oliver.” \nAfter the preview, the heart of the event will begin: a fashion show featuring new fall lines from Bloomington retailers, including Sullivan’s Menswear, Cactus Flower, B Boutique and many others. Twelve local restaurants, including Malibu Grill, Pizza Express and Tutto Bene, will serve appetizers before the show free of charge. A cash bar will also be available for those 21 and older.\nWhile the rest of the audience enjoys the food, “Bloomington Celebrity Models” – a group of people usually known as Bloomington business owners, realtors and even faces from the mayor’s office – will arrive at the red carpet by limousine.\n“We are trying to go with the theme ‘Faces of Bloomington,’” said Stephanie Harrison, who works at Optiks and came up with the F+F+A idea. “The ‘Bloomington Celebrity Models’ are faces you would see all around town.”\nOther event highlights include a D.J., a silent auction and a photo booth to document the night. \nThe dress code is “pure chic,” according to the theater’s Web site.\nThe theater uses benefits such as F+F+A and support from the town to continue to thrive. Danielle McClelland, the executive director of the BCT, said the theater is owned by the city of Bloomington, but a private non-profit organization manages its operations and is in charge of programming. \n“The theater brings in so many acts, both unique and national,” Harrison said. “We need to show them that the community is behind them.”\nTickets for tonight’s Fashion + Function + Art are available for $12 at the door or online at www.bloomingtonarts.info.