The 1920s roared back to life Saturday night as a sold-out Mayor’s Gala for the Arts at Kamloops Convention Centre raised $25,000 for the city’s three leading arts organizations.

Each year the joint fundraiser acquires a little more luster, building momentum to attract interest for the next annual.

This year set a new standard as 375 attendees paid $100 each for a sumptuous four-course dinner inspired by a decade known for its liberating creative expression.

Generous servings of Tuscan greens, baby back ribs and cherry trifle were served before a lineup of light entertainment beneath glittering chandeliers. Local actors in flapper dresses, pearls and feathers cavorted with gangster types as a fog machine mimicked a smoky ballroom.

A steamy, sultry fan dance by Vain Calamity Jane, part of a monthly burlesque show at The Blue Grotto, spiced up the first course. Actors Dusan Magdolen and Terri Runnalls lightened the third, re-enacting the famous vaudeville comedy routine, Who’s on First. Finally, the Cotton Club Band in period finery, with singer Cathi Marshall on vocals, rolled out jazz standards to hold the mood later in the evening.

Many of the diners joined in the spirit of the evening with bobbed hair, fedoras and straw boaters. There wasn’t much room left in the city’s largest ballroom for more patrons.

“It’s great to see support from all walks of life,” said Mayor Peter Milobar. “The arts are a key economic driver,” he added. “I think we have to remember that at events like this.”

As he has at past galas, the mayor pointed to the potential for developing a new performing arts centre, a pledge he repeated in last fall’s civic election. More than a decade after the idea was first floated, the roughly $30-million project will be on the table as mayor and council scrutinize the City’s strategic plan later this week.

“Even if we broke ground tomorrow, we’d be looking at two to three years out,” he said. “We’re looking to make sure it’s a strong project so that everyone wants to get on board.”

The man who won the 2012 Mayor’s Award for Innovation in the Arts was the producer directing the evening’s entertainment.

Alan Corbishley returned home from a career as an operatic baritone six years ago to embark on a fresh creative course as an artistic producer, running the B.C. Living Arts Society. Every season since, he’s enriched city life with original programming designed to forge new connections and foster a wider appreciation of the arts.

“I felt Kamloops was a great place to look at as my apprenticeship,” he said.

Corbishley acknowledged the support of the City and the arts organizations for helping to bring his ideas to life. He also thanked his father, John, who became his best friend in the process.

Event co-ordinator Judy Basso paid particular emphasis to authenticity to tie together the gala theme.

“Lots of feathers, lots of pearls,” she said.

Chef Robin Lagner followed suit, right down to the Lifesaver topping a cherry sorbet. The hard candy with the hole in the centre was first produced in 1921.

Planning for the 2013 gala begins immediately.