A FUNDRAISER FOR POWER >>>

In time for a swell 30^th anniversary appearance, Annie returns to the silver screen this Saturday, Feb. 18, at Olympia's Capitol Theater. But don't come looking for a 3-D reboot like some of these supposed "classics" Hollywood plans to dig up this year. (The Phantom Menace? Wow.) Instead, clear your throat, rehearse those pipes and get ready to belt out song after song from this feel-good musical, and all for a good cause to boot. Every suggested $10 donation collected at the door benefits Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights.

But please, call the organization POWER. Save that golden voice of yours for the singing.

With offices in Olympia and Seattle, POWER serves the oftentimes powerless (children, seniors, the disabled), working to ensure sufficient social programs exist for these groups. Interestingly, low-income parents comprise over 80-percent of the organization's membership, imbuing the public cry for action with a personal perspective.

"We work hard to get our voice heard," says Monica Peabody, Director of POWER (wish I had a job title like that). "We don't have money to hire lobbyists, but we do have our stories, and we do have our experiences, and we think that our stories and our experiences can challenge misconceptions and stereotypes."

Peabody's fundraising team has decided to tackle serious issues in a distinctive way - with a lighthearted, bubbly piece of movie magic involving one spunky redhead. "I love the character of Annie because she's ... fearless and fierce," says Sfirah Madrone, POWER's office manager and volunteer coordinator.

Tasked with injecting some fun into this fundraiser, committee member Jennifer Kenny recognizes in this hard knock life of ours the power of optimism, creativity and community - three necessary ingredients for any sing-along.

"There's a lot of gloom and doom in the news out there, and we're fighting a pretty big effort here for economic rights," says Kenny, "but it doesn't mean we can't come together and celebrate our own strengths."

With a theater full of voices shouting the lyrics to "Tomorrow" this weekend, gloom is definitely on notice. The show starts 2:30 p.m.. Discover more about POWER by visiting the organization's website at www.mamapower.org. 

[The Capitol Theater, POWER Presents Annie Sing-along Benefit, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m. doors, 2:30 p.m. screening, $10 suggested donation (pay what you can), 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia, 360.754.6670, olympiafilsociety.org]