Over the Rainbow:
A Beautiful Bright Water Benefit
April 5, 2025
6-9pm
Southside Commons
(Columbia City), Seattle
Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, community, and celebration in support of Bright Water Waldorf School. More than a fundraiser, this event is a joyful gathering where we lift our voices in song, share stories of impact, and come together to create a brighter future.
Enjoy cocktails from Copperworks and catered tasty bites from De la Soil, live performances, a vibrant auction, and a magical choral experience with Crowdsource Choir.
Crowdsource Choir will lead us through a time of collective singing, where every voice—no matter your experience—joins together in harmony. Throughout the evening, we will lift our spirits and raise our voices in a heartfelt choral experience, culminating in a moving performance of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World." This shared moment of music and connection will remind us of the beauty we create when we come together in community—and together, we hope to raise a pot of gold for our beloved Bright Water School.
Please save the date and start making your invite list now! We hope to have all of our current families in attendance along with alumni families, friends, and founders of the school.
Connection, Community, Crowdsource Choir
Bright Water’s Spring Benefit: A New Approach to Fundraising
Why are we changing our fundraising model?
This year, Bright Water is shifting away from the traditional auction fundraiser, a model that many nonprofits are reconsidering due to its labor-intensive nature. Instead, we’re embracing an event that aligns with our values—one that fosters connection, participation, and shared joy while still raising essential funds for our school’s operations, programs, and tuition assistance.
What will the event look like?
At the heart of the evening is Crowdsource Choir, an interactive, community-driven singing experience led by Bright Water parent, Joel DeJong. Rather than a passive event focused on bidding, this gathering invites everyone to raise their voices together in song, creating a meaningful shared experience while also supporting our school financially. Together, we’ll sing an uplifting arrangement of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World—a perfect reflection of the hope and harmony we wish to cultivate in our school community. Come wearing your rainbow gear! And, in addition to raising our voices together, there will still be opportunities to raise the paddle.
Will there still be an auction?
Yes! While we are moving away from a full-scale auction, each class is crafting a one-of-a-kind handmade item that will be available for bidding.
We will also have moments where we raise funds specific to operations, programs, and tuition assistance.
To offer inclusive giving opportunities, there will be an exciting raffle, featuring prizes like Sounders tickets and other special offerings.
What else is included in the evening?
Your ticket includes an incredible culinary experience featuring heavy appetizers from De la Soil, the catering arm of Sean and Hiromi Sensei’s new restaurant venture.
We are thrilled to support our faculty community members in this way while sharing delicious food with our guests!
In addition, drinks will be provided by Copperworks, ensuring a festive and celebratory atmosphere.
The food will be as fresh as farm to table as can be! Your senses will be so happy you came to this special event.
Where is the event being held?
We’re gathering at Southside Commons, a unique venue in Seattle’s historic Columbia City neighborhood that serves as a dedicated space for nonprofits and grassroots organizations. Once a church, Southside Commons now provides event and training space for groups committed to social, racial, and economic justice. The venue is just one block from downtown Columbia City and two blocks from the Columbia City light rail station, making it easily accessible for our community.
How does this help our school?
This event keeps our fundraising efforts aligned with our mission—building a strong, engaged community while ensuring the financial support needed to sustain our programs. By shifting the focus to participation and connection, we hope to make this an inclusive, joyful experience that benefits everyone involved.
What should I expect?
Great food, refreshing drinks, a vibrant atmosphere, and an evening of music, laughter, and purpose. We hope you’ll join us in making this a truly special night for our Bright Water community!
