Olde English Weekend to raise funds for Unitarians’ building fund

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Las Vegas, 3616 E. Lake Mead Blvd., is getting ready for a night of dining, dancing and deduction.

An Olde English Weekend with Sherlock Holmes is scheduled from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday as a fundraiser for the church's building and grounds fund.

Music will be provided by The Constant Rose, a group headed by church member Kay Sanderson, who plays the violin with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and performs with several bands in a variety of styles.

"We'll be doing a mix of old English folk songs, English country dance music, jigs, shadishes, polkas and some classical music," Sanderson said. "A lot of it is the sort of music you might hear in films about the Victorian Age."

Sanderson also performed at the church's first food and music event, which was Cajun-themed and took place in July.

"The Cajun night was very successful, but it didn't have the complexity that this one will," said Rita Ransom, one of the event's organizers. "We're going to have mystery games and activities, and there will be prizes."

The price of admission includes a buffet dinner, and there will be a no-host bar. There will also be a mystery solved by Sherlock Holmes with a little help from the guests.

"We're keeping the identity of who's playing Sherlock Holmes a secret," Ransom said. "It's a member of the congregation, but we want to add a little mystery and surprise."

Participants are invited but are not required to wear period garb from the 1800s. Dancing is also encouraged, but there will be plenty for the wallflowers to do.

"We're all looking forward to this," Ransom said. "We're looking for fun and interesting ways to raise funds, and I think this is going to be something people really enjoy."

Tickets are $15 at the door and $12 in advance. For more information, visit uuclv.org or call 702-437-2404.

Contact Sunrise/Whitney View reporter F. Andrew Taylor at ataylor@viewnews.com or 702-380-4532.