MUSIC

Beginning at 5:00 p.m. Social Hour in the CafŽ Deluxe courtyard, you'll be entertained by "Jeff Mitchell & Friends." Mitchell has a great knack for assembling some of the area's most talented young artists, and the set will get you in the mood for the whole evening. The band will return to the courtyard for a rocking second set at 7:30, when the musicians will kick out all the jambs.

The popular area band "Switchback" will play in the CafŽ Underground from 6:00 to 7:30, during the gourmet dinner. "Switchback," known for its lively, foot-stomping mixture of popular and Celtic music, will show off its versatility with a mellower blend of jazz and acoustic pop. If the food isn't enough to tempt you to buy a ticket for the dinner, "Switchback" should.

From 10:30 until midnight, immediately following the benefit auction, "A Little Further Down the Dial" will take the stage in the CafŽ Underground. Formed especially for this "Back in the Race" benefit, the band is made up of Will Jennings and Sam Thompson of the exciting Iowa City band "Big Wooden Radio," and Chris Berg, popular singer/guitarist and Luther College alumnus. "Big Wooden Radio" attracts a dedicated following with a large repertoire of original tunes and bluegrass and swing classics. They are known as much for the perfection of their vocal harmonies as they are for their expert, energetic playing. Jennings is a master on the harmonica, Thompson is his equal on the guitar, and they both are songwriters. Chris Berg has earned many admirers with his rich voice and accomplished guitar work. The combination of these three musicians is bound to be electric.

All these musicians are donating their talents for this event. The music is free, but donations for Yori are of course warmly appreciated.

GOURMET DINNER

A sit-down gourmet dinner prepared by Ruth Hampton of "Trout River Catering" and Val Sanderson of "Chameleon CafŽ" will be served from 6:00 to 7:30 downstairs in the CafŽ Underground. The menu is both elegant and delectable: Savory salmon cakes with a creamy horseradish lemon dill sauce; roasted garlic potatoes and capers; a relish of roasted corn, peppers, summer squash, and oven-dried tomatoes, served on a bed of greens; French bread and butter, and wine. To top it all off, for dessert there's poached pears served with cream cheese infused with star anise and a triple-chocolate biscotti.

Suggested donation for the dinner is $35 per plate, and advanced tickets are now available at the Oneota Community Food Co-op, 415 W. Water St., Decorah, next door to the CafŽ Deluxe. Seating is limited, so pick up your tickets soon.

AUCTION

At 8:30 there will be a benefit auction in the CafŽ Underground, featuring works by some of our finest local artists and items donated by local businesses and individuals. Dolan Burreson of Fairbank, Ia., will be the auctioneer. "Back in the Race" benefit auctions are known to get as lively as some sporting events, but if you're just a spectator you'll miss out on the chance to take home beautiful pottery and other works of art, bicycles and sporting goods, and services donated by local businesses and individuals. If you are interested in donating items for the auction, please contact Sharon Grimm at 563-382-8546, or Deb Paulson at 563-382-8908. You can e-mail Grimm at or Paulson at , and you can drop off auction items at Zelda Productions, 411 W. Water St., in Decorah next to the Oneota Community Food Co-op.

After the auction, music and dancing will go on till midnight!