Get ready for monca's 2026 gala, Light Up the Night, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, 6:30PM at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds.
The gala is a fundraiser for the museum and all of the evening’s proceeds go toward the expansion of monca’s outreach and impact.
The museum’s mission is to make art accessible and promote awareness of Northern California artists through collections, exhibitions and educational programs. With your support, we can increase the positive influence of art and grow with the community. monca is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of patrons to provide unique and exciting art opportunities for folks of all backgrounds.
Light Up the Night evokes a spirit of innovation and joy - spark your imagination and return to your essential creative energy! The evening will be full of entertainment and great company. Enjoy a catered dinner and no-host bar amongst friends, artists, and the people who make Chico a hub for arts and culture!
Legendary catering company and eatery, Bacio Chico will serve a delicious sit-down dinner featuring local produce and fresh recipes. Established in 1984, Bacio has been a Chico favorite for homemade, artisanal dishes. The eatery, located on 1903 Park Ave, offers breakfast and lunch. Their backyard patio is a great spot to eat in the nice weather and their building exterior showcases a new, colorful mural by NorCal tattoo artist Joser Rosales.
Local band, Defcats, will perform during the event, delighting guests with their five part vocal harmonies and electric stage presence. The Defcats have been voted Best Local Music Act by the Chico News & Review and their performances of upbeat pop, rock, and dance hits have attracted a devoted following.
Additionally, ensemble performances by the Butte Youth Orchestra will showcase the talented young musicians in our community. The orchestra was founded in 2009 and aims to provide local youth musicians an opportunity to connect with each other and discover the beauty of creative collaboration.
The students of Chico Creek Dance will perform a special ballet routine during the gala. Chico Creek Dance has provided quality dance education for over 40 years. You likely have seen their performers in iconic productions like the Nutcracker or Cinderella.
The gala silent and live auctions offer a unique opportunity to purchase pieces donated by local artists. Iconic local auctioneer, Dick Stein, will get you excited about the items and keep the bidding wars thriving! This is a fabulous way to support local artists and add new artwork to your personal collection.
Make sure to get all gussied up for the night because we will have a 3D photo booth crew taking photos throughout the night. Silly poses and dramatic outfits are encouraged. Keep in mind monca's colors are red, blue, and yellow... maybe you have a primary color ensemble to show off!
The amazing team at North State Audio Visual will very literally light up the night, supporting all the performers with specialty lighting and audio production. They help us look and sound good, thank you!
More details to come…stay tuned for more information!
Admission
The first 50 tickets will be available for a discounted rate of $125 per person. Once the first 50 tickets are sold, General Admission tickets will be available for $175 per person. Secure a table of 8 for $1,500 to assure you and your buddies can sit together and get your name in the event program. Tickets are available online and in person at the museum.
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you or a friend are interested in sponsoring the event, please learn more here and reach out for details.
Other Ways to Support
For other donation opportunities, check out the donation page. Contributions of every amount are greatly appreciated. If you cannot attend the gala this year, consider a small financial donation to support monca's efforts. Other ways to support the museum include attending opening receptions, becoming a volunteer, or buying an artisan gift at the Museum Shop.
