Cowabunga hits Bigfork stage

Performers will take the stage this

weekend to raise money to support Bigfork schools and youth

programs through the highly anticipated Cowabunga Variety Show.

Cowabunga, put on by the Friends of

Bigfork Schools, has exploded since it was first held nine years

ago. The first year there was only one night of the show and it

sold out, organizer Mary Knoll said.

“The town talked about it for months,”

she said.

A second performance was added the next

year and shows sold out again. The third year, a Sunday matinee was

included. Typically, all three shows sell out each year.

“It’s like a gift you want to open

because you can’t wait to see what’s inside,” organizer Diana

Rahdert said of waiting for the show.

Cowabunga was the title of the first

FOBS variety show, but it stuck and the bovine has been a part of

the theme ever since. Acts are encouraged but not required to

incorporate the year’s theme, but this year, with a “Pirates of the

Cow’ribbean” theme, is the first time that it has really taken

off.

“This year they have really embraced

it,” Rahdert said.

Each show involves more than 100

residents of all ages. Staples have included gymnastics directed by

Bud and Cathy Gaiser, the Bigfork High School cheerleaders, and

choirs and acts by members of the Bigfork Playhouse Children’s

Theatre.

The kindergarten classes from Bigfork

Elementary School traditionally perform at the show. They have been

the inspiration for other group acts.

“The direction with the school was to

interest kids when they are very young to perform on stage,”

Rahdert said.

Of roughly 40 acts that auditioned for

the show back in January, the final show contains 28 selected

performances. Even those in acts that didn’t make the cut were

invited to join in the show in other ways.

“We’ve tried to include everyone in

some way or another,” Rahdert said. “We try to include and make an

offer for them to be a part of it.”

This year’s show, in addition to the

traditional acts, will include performances by a group of Bigfork

teachers, several family acts and a possible appearance of members

of the Vikings championship football team.

The show will also feature a special

reprise act of a group of girls, now seniors at Bigfork High

School, who first performed it in one of the early Cowabungas.

“It was a show stopper,” Knoll said of

the act when it was first performed.

This year’s performance will showcase a

number of high school seniors who have been constants in the show,

quite possibly for the last time.

Some of these seniors include Bailey

Vogt, Mallery Knoll, Hannah Barrett, Quinci Paine, Jacob Sefcak,

Travis Knoll and Colton Christensen.

“I just think they’ve inspired the

younger kids,” Mary Knoll said. “They have been such a diverse and

interesting group. They have so many talents.”

In its nine years, Cowabunga has raised

more than $100,000 for grants to Bigfork area schools and

youth-related projects.

“We do this show because we love it. We

love the acts and getting it on stage,” Knoll said. “And we do want

to raise money for FOBS so we can give it all back.”

FOBS allows teachers and others who

work with students to submit a big, medium and small grant wish

list.

Their work has funded computers for the

technology and yearbook class, sand box toys for the kindergarten,

Smart Boards and a standing air conditioner for a high school

classroom among many other items and projects.

Ticket prices cover the cost of the

production. It’s sponsorships and additional donations that add up

to support FOBS’ causes. Show sponsorship levels range from under

$25 to more than $1,000. Sponsorship information can be requested

from Knoll or Rahdert.

“The business community has been hugely

supportive with sponsorships and volunteers,” Knoll said.

Cowabunga will be held March 18 through

20 at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. The show will be

at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $7.50 for adults and $5 for

children under 18. They can be purchased in advance at Bigfork

Drug, Electric Avenue Gifts, LEAP after-school program at

Crossroads Church and Bigfork Elementary and Middle School.

“You get to see your neighbors,

teachers and see all of the incredible talent of the town. It’s the

best $7 you can spend,” Knoll said.

For more information, contact Knoll

(249-8576, knollmc@aol.com) or Rahdert (250-5594,

diana@montanasky.us).