By Olivia Jansen
For the DCPA NewsCenter

The 36^th annual Saturday Night Alive is just around the corner on March 5, and hundreds of auction items are already waiting in the wings for you to bid on. Here we spotlight five unusual, intriguing and surprising items up for bid. See something you just can’t wait to own? Bids already are being placed online at www.bid720.com, so head over now to join in on the action. All proceeds from Saturday Night Alive benefit DCPA Education and its programs, which reach more than 84,000 students of all ages each year.

BIG FIVE AFRICAN SAFARI, VALUE: $6,800
Make sure your camera is ready for this African adventure. You’ll start with a two-night stay at the Maritime Bushveld Estates, a nature reserve that combines the wildlife with a unique charm, located just outside of Johannesburg. From there you’ll enjoy a five-night Ezulwini Safari. Stay in a private bungalow in Kruger National Park and go on two daily photo safari game drives per day, led by skilled game rangers and trackers. BID INFO

BRONCOS HOME AND AWAY PACKAGE, VALUE: PRICELESS
The MVP experience for fans of both Broadway and the Denver Broncos. Winners will receive two tickets to the selected home game in the Budweiser Champions Club, where you will mingle with Broncos alumni players. Also before the home game, you will be brought down onto the field for the national anthem, to be sung by a Broadway actor. For the Broadway portion, enjoy two tickets to Best of Broadway Society for the show associated with the anthem. And the there is the away game. You’ll receive two round-trip coach tickets to the visiting city, a room at the team hotel and two tickets to the game. BID INFO

(Photo: LaChanze of ‘If/Then’ sang the national anthem at the Broncos’ season-opener last year. Photo by John Moore for the DCPA NewsCenter.)

THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME, VALUE: $2,500
If you’ve ever dreamed of being on stage, this is your chance. One person will win a walk-on role for one performance of the DCPA Theatre Company’s Sweeney Todd in the Stage Theatre. Also included are four complimentary tickets for family and friends to see the winner’s debut performance on Friday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. BID INFO

ART FROM DCPA’s KYLE MALONE, VALUE: $2,700
Decorate your home with your own piece of All the Way. This 18×24 piece is the original artwork made for the DCPA Theatre Company’s current production. It has been showcased on TV, city banners and numerous other advertisements. It is created by the DCPA’s own Senior Graphic Designer, Kyle Malone, who has also created an original piece of art for the past six Saturday Night Alive auctions. Last year, Malone’s painting drew 37 bids and raised 3,700. In all, Malone’s donated works have raised about $16,000 for DCPA Education. His other original painting for this year is a continuation of his series of minimalistic, abstract cityscapes, in which characters form in the eye the longer you look at the painting (right). BID INFO

SYDNEY IN STYLE, VALUE: $15,300

A trip for two down under to Sydney, Australia, via United Airlines. Enjoy two round-trip Business Class tickets and a three-night stay at The Westin Sydney. Located in the heart of the city, you’ll be minutes away from hot spots such as the Sydney Opera House, NSW Art Gallery and Sydney Harbour. BID INFO

Saturday Night Alive: At a glance
Annual fundraising gala for DCPA Education
Saturday, March 5
Headlining concert: Broadway stars Kelli O’Hara and Brian d’Arcy James
More information