The Harlem Wizards are coming to Jefferson City to promote affordable housing.
Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) will host one of four traveling Wizards basketball teams that raise money for causes.
CMCA has organized a team of community leaders to compete against the entertainers.
They'll play 5-7 p.m. April 23 in the Jefferson City High School gymnasium, 609 Union St.
The event is intended to heighten awareness of the need for affordable, safe housing for low-income families in the area.
"We envision an integrated society where every person has access to a safe, affordable home near jobs, services and opportunity," CMCA Executive Director Darin Preis said in a news release. "This will be a fun event that we will use to highlight the value that quality affordable housing adds to the community."
All proceeds will support housing in Jefferson City.
The CMCA JCYIMBY (Jefferson City Yes! In My Backyard) team is made up of: Erin Bidlack, Studio573; Sarah Bohl and Missy Creed McFerron, JC Magazine; Edwin Cooper, Missouri Department of Mental Health; Kenton Gewecke, KOMU-TV; Carlos Graham, Lincoln University; Jessica Kampeter, Cole County Emergency Medical Services; Joey O'Conner, Mid-Rivers Insurance Group; Jose' Cesar Ramos, Gateway Wireless; Jessica Sanford, Hello Belle; Rachel Senzee, City of Jefferson; Bobby Showers, musician Dope A** Sneakers; Serese Smith-Haxton, Capital Region Medical Center; Cotton Walker, Cole County Circuit Court; Bethany Walsh, Hello Belle; and Joseph Gorman, Jesse Oswald, Emily Roberts and Cody Sharp, Jefferson City Schools.
Each of the individuals will host a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign. The team member who raises the most money by game time will the game's Most Valuable Player.
The energy at a Wizards game is electric. The laughter is infectious. The dunks are rim-rattling, high- flying and awe-inspiring. The hoop artistry, ball-handling, tricks and teamwork are mesmerizing.
The event is to feature interactive extras: Pregame "Wiz Kids" warm-up, contests, comedy, impressive slam dunks, audience participation, merchandise giveaways and raffle prizes. The game will conclude with the Wizards' signature dance celebration that will have parents on their feet and children moving to the beat.
General admission tickets are $15, reserved seating is $25, Courtside Plus is $35 and Benchwarmer seating is $80. Courtside Plus ticket holders sit in the first row and meet privately with a few of the Wizard players before the game during a meet-and-greet.
Benchwarmer ticket holders receive all the benefits of Courtside Plus ticket holders, plus sit on the Wizards's bench, children get a free jersey and parents receive a $10 gift certificate good toward souvenirs.
Tickets are available at bit.ly/3qkRKO3.
Sponsorships remain available. To secure a sponsorship, visit bit.ly/3KVf3FZ or contact Cheryl Unterschutz at [email protected] or by phone at 573-443-8706, ext. 1030.