AMERICUS — A unique event is coming to Americus on Saturday, April 9. What makes it remarkable is not that it will be at the historic Rylander Theatre, in downtown Americus, not that it will feature the 1942 movie Casablanca, not that antique cars from the 1930s and ‘40s will be lining the street in front of the theater and not even that its participants are encouraged to wear themed period attire. No! What makes it truly special is that the event is not a fundraiser. It’s a “friendraiser.”

“‘Casablanca: a friendraiser’ has been specifically designed to promote child abuse awareness, while expressing gratitude to our friends in the community for all the support given to our program,” said Michelle Willis, board vice chair of SOWEGA CASA, a nonprofit organization advocating for abused and neglected children throughout the region. “And we’re also hoping to make some new friends by encouraging volunteerism to the program.”

The event, which takes place Saturday, April 9, will begin at 6 p.m. with a themed reception. As people approach the historic 1920s theater, they will be reminded of what it might have been like to attend the opening of the movie in 1942. Lining Lamar Street will be cars from the period, including a 1930 deluxe coupe with rumble seat; 1933, 1934 and 1939 Fords; a 1931 Chevy roadster; and 1929 and 1925 Model T’s.

“We really wanted to create a feel for the evening even before people came in the door,” said interior designer and SOWEGA CASA Public Relations Committee member Andrew Wilson. “From the food, to the venue, to the cars people might have taken to get there — we want it to feel like a place suspended in time.”

Using the movie’s lead character’s nightclub, Rick's Café Américain, as inspiration, Wilson is donating his skills to decorate George’s Café, located adjacent to the Rylander Theatre. Continuing the theme, Leon Holloway, with Cousins’ Catering, prepared a menu dedicated to the feel of the movie’s setting, which will include hummus and pita bread, kabobs and baklava. Popcorn (provided by Ginger Starlin), beer and wine (provided, in part, by The Tim Lewis Firm, LLC) and coffee (provided by Café Campesino), will also be available to participants.

According to Willis, attendance for the event is free, but with a catch. The organization printed 625 numbered tickets (the Rylander’s seating capacity). Anyone who wants to attend must sign the acceptance form on the right side of each of the numbered ticket.

“If that ticket comes in the door the evening of April 9, the event is free to the participant,” said Willis, who said community event sponsors made it possible to host the event without any expense to the organization. “But if the ticket doesn’t come back, the person who agreed to accept the ticket will donate $25 (the value of the ticket) to our organization.”

At 7 p.m., the 102-minute movie will be played in the theater’s auditorium. Casablanca, a 1942 romantic drama and one of the most beloved American films, is a wartime adventure of romance and intrigue from director Michael Curtiz. It is the story of Rick Blaine (played by Humphrey Bogart), an exiled American and ex-freedom fighter who runs a nightclub in Casablanca during the early part of World War II. Despite pressure from the local authorities, notably the crafty Capt. Renault (played by Claude Rains), Rick's Café has become a haven for refugees looking to purchase illicit letters of transit which will allow them to escape to America.

One day, to Rick's great surprise, he is approached by rebel Victor Laszlo (played by Paul Henreid) and his wife, Ilsa (played by Ingrid Bergman). Ilsa is Rick's true love who deserted him when the Nazis invaded Paris. She still wants Victor to escape to America, but now, with renewed her love for Rick, she wants to stay behind in Casablanca. Its characters, dialogue and music have become iconic, and Casablanca has grown in popularity to the point that it now consistently ranks near the top of lists of the greatest films of all time.

In addition to the movie, the highlight of the evening will be the raffling of the artwork donated by Jeff Williams. Valued at $3,800, raffle tickets will be sold for $20 each, with the winning ticket to be drawn at the movie’s end. One hundred limited, numbered and originally signed prints will also be sold at the event. The 16x20 mixed-media painting on canvas depicts the two leading characters, played by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, embracing in front of the Rylander’s marquee.

“I wanted to create a piece that had a smoky, vintage, hand-painted photo feel, so mixed media was my choice for capturing the romance that was Casablanca," said Jeff Williams, the Kentucky Derby/Oaks 2009 official artist who recently opened a studio in Americus. “My vision was a scene outside Rick’s Cafe with the Rylander Theatre in the background — Rick and Ilsa locked arms like it was their last time together and all they had was their love for each other,” Williams said.

Brad Ray, executive director of SOWEGA CASA, said the event has three main purposes. The first two are to help advance the promotion of National Child Abuse Prevention month (which is April) and encourage volunteerism for the program. The other is to bring the community together.

“This is about the nostalgic feel of the Rylander Theatre, the celebrity of the movie and the history pulsing through Americus all coming together, “ said Ray. “It will be a magical night and all for a wonderful cause — advocating for our most vulnerable children.”

The mission of SOWEGA CASA (which is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization) is to recruit, screen, train and supervise volunteers who advocate for abused, neglected and abandoned children throughout the region. The purpose of the organization is to ensure each of these children receives safety and permanency as quickly and appropriately as possible.

For tickets or more information, call SOWEGA CASA at 931-4488 or the Rylander Theatre at 931-0001.