Events
UPCOMING EVENTS
bats in the belfry murder mystery dinner
SAturday, October 7, 2023
Save the date!
Bats in the Belfry Murder Mystery Dinner on Saturday, October 7 at the Catalina Country Club.
Don't miss a roaring ‘20’s dinner party with “Lethal Libations.”
past events
2ND Annual Bats in the Belfry
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Saturday, October 29, 2022
A live AND virtual Halloween event benefiting the Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation
Some features of the event site may not work on Safari browsers.
Click HERE to watch Bats in the Belfry benefiting Catalina Chimes Tower through the years
“Tower of Terror” Backstory
by Wesley Alfvin
Legend has it that Avalon’s beloved belfry was built in 1925 by Dr. Vladimir Hightower, a world renowned professor of music and an expert in Chimeology.
Dr. Hightower traveled to Avalon from his home in Romania to oversee the construction of Catalina’s new melodious monument. Over the course of his visit, Vladimir fell in love with Avalon and decided to stay, so he built a small caretaker’s cottage hidden in the base of the tower.
Upon completion of construction in October of 1926, Dr. Hightower delighted residents with a debut concert, thus beginning the tradition of a nightly serenade. The Chimes Tower and its music became the crown jewel of Avalon, and remained so until a more glamorous icon rose up and took its place, Catalina’s new Casino.
Instead of spending their evenings on the front porch listening to the music of the chimes, Avalonians would make their way to the Casino to hear the big bands in the ballroom, or see a show in the Avalon Theatre.
Watching his audience dwindle, Vladimir grew bitter and became reclusive. Never leaving his tower, he relied only on the bats in the belfry for companionship. But the more time he spent with his bats, the more he began to develop their characteristics.
Years went by, and before long Vladimir was forgotten. On the 10th anniversary of the Chimes Tower in 1936, not a single resident stopped to listen to the music, for they were all tucked away in the Avalon Theatre for the opening night of a new stage show.
Filled with rage and having completed his bat-like transformation, Dr. Hightower flew down from his perch and placed an evil enchantment on the Avalon Theatre and any performer who dared to steal the spotlight from his beloved belfry.
Fortunately, the magic of music is meant only for good, so Dr. Hightower’s evil curse was only powerful enough to last for one night.
Some say Vladimir Hightower remains with the other bats in the belfry today, occasionally striking the wrong hour in a desperate cry for attention. Others believe he returns to the Casino each year, haunting the Avalon Theatre for the month of October.
Perhaps you should take a look Behind the Screams and see for yourself… if you dare!
2021
"Bats in the Belfry" - Friday, October 29, 2021
A live AND virtual Halloween alakazam event benefiting the Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation
Location
The historic Avalon Theatre, located in the Casino on Catalina Island
Schedule
The Witching Hour will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the following spooktacular activities!
• 6:30 p.m. - Cocktail Party including:
Complimentary hors d oeuvres
‘Spirits’ available for purchase, including our finest “Witch’s Brew”
• 7:15 p.m.
Seating and Welcome Announcements
• 7:30 p.m.
Magic performance from master magician, Jonathan Levit, and special magical performance and Q&A with “Thing” (Christopher Hart) from the Addams Family movies; a screening of the original Addams Family movie; as well as the opportunity to bid electronically on exciting auction items during the course of the evening.
8:45 p.m.
Closing Announcements & Doors Open for Movie
• 9:00 p.m.
Movie Showing - “The Addams Family” (1991)
We're calling all goblins, ghosts and creatures of the night! So come as you are or wear a costume of delight.
About the Magicians
Jonathan Levit - American magician, actor, television host and theatrical producer. He has appeared in quite a number of movies and television series and was the host of VH1's reality series, Celebracadabra. Jonathan also performs frequently at the World-Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.
Christopher Hart ("Thing") - “The man with the movie star hand,” and “The most famous right hand in Hollywood” are just two of the quotes reviewers have used to describe the talents of master magician Christopher Hart. But he's more than just talented digits. Hart gets to use his whole body in the performance of his multi-award winning magic act.
Tickets – Click red button below
Virtual Attendees
Join us by logging in to https://bidpal.net/batsinthebelfry at 7:30 p.m., where you can watch a live stream of the Magic of Jonathan Levit, and bid on our super silent auction items
Sponsorships
Businesses, if you are interested in sponsoring this event, please visit the contact us page on this website.
Support Us
For those of you who are unable to attend “Bats in the Belfry,” please consider making a contribution here, by clicking the ‘Donate Now’ button below.
Your ticket purchases and donations will be tax deductible to the extent allowed by applicable law.
WATCH "CAROL OF THE BELLS"
DECEMBER 13, 2020 EVENT VIDEO
"Carol of the Bells"
A virtual event benefiting the Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation
Make your holiday shopping extra special by bringing your list to “Carol of the Bells” — and while you’re at it, benefit the care and restoration of the Chimes Tower!
“Carol of the Bells” will feature unique silent auction items, including:
Vintage Catalina pottery
Original artwork
One-of-a-kind experiences
Cuddle up with your hot cider to enjoy this one-hour virtual holiday shopping gala celebrating the holidays - including tales of the Chimes throughout the years, a virtual walkthrough of the intricacy of its mechanisms, an update on the restoration, and an up close and personal view of the keyboard in action!
Tickets - Click red button below
Early Bidding - starts Monday, December 7!
Auction items will be available to ticket holders for early bidding beginning Monday, December 7.
Sponsorships
Businesses, if you are interested in sponsoring this event, either monetarily or by contributing a special auction item, please visit the contact us page of this website.
Support Us
For those of you who are unable to attend “Carol of the Bells,” please consider making a contribution here on our website, under fundraising.
Have friends or family members looking for unique holiday presents? Please feel free to send them our website, and direct them to this events page.
Your ticket purchase and donations will be tax deductible to the extent allowed by applicable law.
"Moonlight over BELLissimo!"
OCTOBER 12, 2019 - 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
'CASTILLO DEL MAR' - ONE CRESCENT AVENUE, AVALON*
COME JOIN US FOR OUR THIRD ANNUAL '"BELLISSIMO!" EVENT, FEATURING:
• Live entertainment by John Davidson
• Dessert & Libations
• Japanese Auction
• "Mystery Box" and other fun surprises!
GENERAL ADMISSION $125 PER PERSON
Admission for one guest, without "Mystery Box"
VIP ADMISSION $250 PER PERSON - Limited Availability
VIP Admission for one guest, without "Mystery Box" - Includes preferred seating for the concert, as well as dessert and beverage service.
GENERAL ADMISSION WITH "MYSTERY BOX" $225 PER PERSON
General admission for one guest, including purchase of one "Mystery Box." 100 Mystery Boxes are only available to event guests, and will be sold as follows: $100 if purchased prior to the event, and $150 during the event. One "Mystery Box" contains a valuable item, 99 contain a memento of the event. Purchase now for the opportunity to win!
VIP ADMISSION WITH "MYSTERY BOX" $350 PER PERSON
VIP admission for one guest, including purchase of one "Mystery Box." 100 Mystery Boxes are only available to event guests, and will be sold as follows: $100 if purchased prior to the event, and $150 during the event. One "Mystery Box" contains a valuable item, 99 contain a memento of the event. Purchase now for the opportunity to win!
THE CATALINA CHIMES TOWER FOUNDATION IS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION DESCRIBED UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. YOUR TICKET PURCHASE WILL BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
AMERICAN ACTOR, SINGER AND GAME SHOW HOST JOHN DAVIDSON IS BEST KNOWN AS THE TV HOST OF THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES AND THAT’S INCREDIBLE!, AS WELL AS GUEST HOST OF THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON.
"Chimes Tower Quilt Raffle"
Dec 11, 2018, 3:00 PM - Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation - 150 Metropole Avenue Avalon, CA 90704
A beautiful, handmade quilt, created by Paris Rebl, and featuring the Catalina Chimes Tower, is being raffled off by the Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation as part of our fundraising efforts to restore the Catalina Chimes Tower.
Tickets are $5 per, or five for $20.
Drawing will take place on December 11, 2018, at 3:00 PM PST
The winner will be contacted via e-mail, and announced on our Website, www.CatalinaChimes.org/events
"BELLissimo!"
July 28, 2018 - 5:00-8:00 pm - 'Castillo del Mar' - One Crescent Avenue, Avalon*
Come join us for our second annual '"BELLissimo!" Last year's event was a great success, and we were able to accomplish so much - including beautiful iron work at the tower - that we decided to celebrate in similar fashion this year.
Featuring:
• Libations & hors d’oeuvres
• Silent Auction – bidding opens at 5:00 pm, and closes at 6:45 pm
• A special chimes concert
• Raffle, and other fun surprises!
The Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation is a charitable organization described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your ticket purchase will be tax deductible to the extent allowed by applicable law.
"BELLissimo!"
July 15, 2017 - 5:00-7:30 pm - 'Castillo del Mar' - One Crescent Avenue, Avalon
To all who cherish the sounds of the chimes, the Catalina Chimes Tower Board of Directors cordially invites you to join us for our special fundraiser in support of our efforts to restore and care for this beloved landmark.
Featuring:
• Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres
• Silent Auction – bidding opens at 5:00 pm, and closes at 6:30 pm
• A special chimes concert from the terrace at the base of the tower!
Blanny Avalon Hagenah (Vice Chair) has graciously offered to open her home for this special event.
$175 per person
The Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation is a charitable organization described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your ticket purchase will be tax deductible to the extent allowed by applicable law.
Catalina Island Museum Display - Through Summer 2017