Musical showstoppers, adorable furry friends highlight ‘Mutts and Music’

Written by Hollie Stark
August 13, 2016

IVINS — Cast and crew of this year’s Tuacahn Broadway in the Desert productions, along with friends of Tuacahn and the Ivins Animal Shelter, took to the stage of the Tuacahn Indoor Hafen Theater for a musical cabaret aimed at supporting homeless animals Saturday afternoon.

“Mutts and Music” was created for the Ivins No-Kill Animal Supporters – or INKAS – an all-women nonprofit group dedicated to supporting the animals at the Ivins Animal Shelter and the no-kill philosophy the shelter espouses.

Photos of adoptable pets from the Ivins Animal Shelter are displayed during "Mutts and Music" at Tuacahn Center for the Arts, Ivins, Utah, August 13, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Photos of adoptable pets from the Ivins Animal Shelter are displayed during “Mutts and Music” at Tuacahn Center for the Arts, Ivins, Utah, Aug. 13, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

The Ivins Animal Shelter has officially been a no-kill shelter since 2006 when the Ivins City Council adopted the no-kill philosophy as a city ordinance, information from the INKAS website says.

The Ivins Animal Shelter boasts the highest no-kill rate in Utah, with a 99.7 percent no-kill rate, said Ivins Animal Shelter director, Aggie Smith, at Saturday’s event.

The Ivins No-Kill Animal Supporters assist the shelter in its no-kill goal by raising funds to help provide for the animals while they are in the shelter as well as to aid the animals in finding their “forever home.”

Several success stories about adopting shelter pets were related from the stage during the musical benefit.

“Mutts and Music” is an important fundraiser for the group. The cabaret brings in a lot of money for the shelter and also raises awareness for the adoptable pets being housed in the shelter, said INKAS president, Connie Butterfield.

Admission was a suggested donation of $15 for adults and $5 for children, but many guests dug deeper into their pockets, donating as much as $100.

The audience was treated to musical numbers ranging from jazz and Broadway to pop and opera in an afternoon highlighted by high-caliber performances and fueled by a love for furry friends.

Performers were able to pick their favorite musical numbers to share with the audience. Selections included songs from “La Bohème,” “Urinetown” and “Wicked,” as well as songs from popular radio artists like Lady GaGa, Adele and Neon Trees.

Tuacahn actor Scott Mulligan, the star of Tuacahn’s production of “Tarzan,” performed two numbers. Mulligan grew up with German Shepherds, he said, and was happy to support the animals of the shelter and the no-kill philosophy.

All of the cast, crew and other invited performers gave their time freely to help the cause.

Not to be outdone by the caliber of performers, some of the doggie friends made an appearance on the stage during the musical numbers, and many of them stole the show with their lovable personalities. Some of the dogs could even be heard joining in (barking) from backstage.

The event ended with a swearing-in ceremony for officer Stitch.

Stitch is a rescued full-blooded rat terrier. Stitch had a broken leg and was pulled from a kill shelter. His name came from the amount of stitches to fix his now-repaired leg, Kim Rubel, vice president of INKAS, said in a previous interview with St. George News.

Stitch was designated an honorary “muttette” and will act as the canine mascot for the Santa Clara-Ivins Police Department. Stitch was joined on stage by Sgt. Peanut, who is the canine mascot for the St. George Police Department.

Some of the money raised during the event will go toward paying for obedience classes at the Woof Center for Active Pets to help some of the shelter dogs become more adoptable, Butterfield said.

For more information about Ivins No-Kill Animal Supporters or to view adoptable pets, visit their website.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery. 

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Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hollie Stark is a writer, outdoor enthusiast, mother, and Southern Utah gal.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGNews

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2 Comments

  • .... August 14, 2016 at 7:45 am

    Real Life should of been there. every dog deserves a home. Better luck next time

  • Henry August 14, 2016 at 10:56 am

    Thank you entertainers for putting together a terrific show, benefiting a wonderful cause!

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