A three-time World Champion Ragtime Piano Player is hoping his music will keep the doors open at a Providence food bank that feeds more than 580 families a week. NYC entertainer Ron Trotta will be bringing his talents to Tsetse Gallery on Thursday, Sept. 26 in hopes that ragtime and some musical auctioneering will keep Project Outreach, the second largest food bank in the state, open.    

Ron Trotta has entertained audiences all over the world. One high point of his career came when he and his fiancé, Rhode Island native Elly McGuire, were personally invited by President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush to join them to help entertain their guests during a week of cruising the Greek Isles on a private yacht. Ron and Elly have since been guests at the Bush home in Kennebunkport and will be auctioning an autographed book by Former President George H.W. Bush, as well as a signed guitar from their friend, Peter Yarrow of the iconic folk trio, Peter Paul and Mary, and an original, signed painting from Emmy award winning actress Loretta Swit, also known as Hot Lips Houlihan from the hit TV show “M*A*S*H.”   

Clarice Gothberg, Project Outreach coordinator of volunteers, is thrilled that Ron is coming from New York City to help with this much needed cause and tell us, “It takes many people to help keep Project Outreach running, including 32 volunteers each week and contributions from churches, corporations, and individuals and wonderful fun-raisers like Ron. And boy can his fingers fly! Not only will it bring in funds for Project Outreach, but it’s a great way to have fun with your friends,” she said in a release.

This event to keep Project Outreach open to continue to serve a growing number of Rhode Island families will be held at the TSETSE Gallery, 51 Empire Street, in Providence from 6 to 9 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $50/person and $75/couple. All proceeds from the ticket sales, auction, private donations and Ron’s tip jar on the top of the piano will go to Project Outreach.

For more information and tickets, go to www.facebook.com/opentableofchristumc or phone Clarice Gothberg at 829-7475.