Champagne flutes, bingo cards and a catered brunch will fill Indianola Country Club this Saturday as Des Moines Metro Opera holds its annual Champagne Brunch and Bingo Benefit, running from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The fundraiser, organized by the Indianola Opera Guild, is capped at limited seating, and tickets are set to go off sale Friday at 4:30 p.m.
The 2025 benefit is listed by Des Moines Metro Opera at Indianola Country Club, 1610 Country Club Road, for Nov. 8. The 2026 benefit is reported by the Indianola Independent Advocate as taking place at the same venue. Tickets cost $40, and attendees can reserve seats online or by calling the DMMO box office at (515) 209-3257.
Brunch, Music and Bingo on the Morning Docket
Guests can expect a catered brunch from Chef Mary Jane Miller alongside live performances from soprano Leah Mendelin and pianist Allen Perriello, per the same account. Bingo is part of the morning alongside the meal and music, giving the fundraiser its festive, informal reputation. The Advocate previously described the gathering as “a festive morning fundraiser that raises money for the company,” organized specifically by the Indianola Opera Guild.
Beyond the meal and music, organizers have built in two rounds of auctions. A silent auction will feature restaurant gift cards, local artists' work, jewelry and opera experiences, while a live auction includes a dinner for six prepared by Chef Tara Starr and a set of guitar lessons, the report states.
New Items Join the Auction Block This Year
This year's lineup adds a handful of fresh offerings to the bidding. Among the new items are a New Year's brunch hosted by Nancy Baethke, a musical performance at the Guild's A Taste of Christmas Past event, and a behind-the-scenes tour of DMMO's scenic shop led by Director of Production Clayton Rodney.
The fundraiser fits into a broader pattern of support the Guild groups provide the opera company each year. The Indianola, Des Moines and Ames Guild groups together donate more than $50,000 to Des Moines Metro Opera annually, according to the Indianola Independent Advocate's earlier reporting on the Guild's work turning opera appreciation into a social affair.
With seating limited and ticket sales closing the day before the event, organizers are encouraging anyone interested in a seat, a bingo card or a shot at the scenic shop tour to lock in plans soon. The morning is shaping up as both a social gathering and a steady revenue stream for the opera company's continued programming.
