Ameri 'cow' Graffiti raises dough for FOBS

By FAITH MOLDAN

Bigfork Eagle

The sixth annual Cowabunga variety show had the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts Rockin’ thru the Fifties Friday through Sunday with its Ameri ‘cow’ Graffiti show.

What started in 2002 as a means of raising money for school programs and other youth programs has turned into one of the most well-attended events in Bigfork.

“It was basically eight women sitting around saying, ‘Let’s do a show,’” recalled Cowabunga show coordinator Diane Rahdert.

Those eight women were the start of the Friends of Bigfork Schools (FOBS) — the organization that puts on and organizes the show each year.

Mary Knoll, another show coordinator, said they like to have a variety of acts and have fun with all aspects of the show. Rahdert agreed, noting that the show is not able to accommodate everyone that auditions, but involves as many people as possible especially Bigfork students.

“Students are also involved in the production of the show (lighting, sound and other technical aspects). Students also wrote the script,” she said.

Bigfork High School students Casey Brown, Jerry Gaiser and Kendra Brook wrote the script with Rahdert’s advising. The three students also hit the stage as the emcee — Brook — and “Greasers”, who acted as co-emcees with Jacob Sefcak, Derek Minemyer and Travis Knoll.

More than 100 people performed in Ameri ‘cow’ Graffiti in three sold-out shows Friday-Sunday. Acts ranged from solo vocal performances like that of McKenzie Reeve and Elizabeth Quist, to dance ensembles, instrumental ensembles and a band, to poetry recitation — Wilson Vogt — and comedy duo of Gwendolyn Fratt and David Crismore.

Each act auditioned in January after announcements were sent out in December about this year’s show. Knoll and Rahdert said that it is gratifying to see kids trying something new and performing on stage for the first time.

“They see (high school) football players on stage singing and dancing and they think it’s something they want to try,” Rahdert said. She and Knoll both said they have a soft spot for family acts.

Jenny Day and her daughter Burgundy were one of a handful of family acts at this year’s Cowabunga. The pair performed a vocal duo, “I’d Like to be You for a Day.”

“It brought us closer as a family and as a community,” Day said. “It was fun and we were helping (the school and community) too.”

This year marked Burgundy’s second appearance on the Cowabunga stage. She performed with her kindergarten class a few years ago and enjoyed the experience so much she wanted to do it again.

“It was something fun to do as mom and daughter,” Day said. “While she still thinks I’m cool.”

Prior to Friday’s show, Knoll estimated this year’s Cowabunga to bring in more than $10,000. Knoll said Tuesday that the show was $600 shy of matching last year’s $12,000 net.

“The dollars are being spread out,” she said. FOBS has funded every request the group has received over the years, although not always for the full amount requested. FOBS receives requests for programs, equipment and supplies for Bigfork Schools that are not available through the school budget and other youth organizations targeting healthy activities for youth in and around Bigfork.

Cowabunga has grown each year, raising $2,000 in its first year in one show. The amount of money raised continues to increase as the number of performances remains at three. Last year’s Cowabunga “Moo-au Luau” raised more than $12,000, falling short of the $15,000 mark FOBS set. The $15,000 goal remains the same this year. FOBS relies mainly on sponsorships in order to put on the show and keep ticket prices affordable. People interested in making donations to FOBS can mail them to FOBS, P.O. Box 188, Bigfork, MT 59911.