Comedy, music, Italian food and a good cause all come together for the ninth annual “Catch a Rising Star” fund-raising event fir the Cappella Choirs Music Center.

The benefit starts at 5 p.m. March 17 in the South Kitsap High School Commons. Admission is free with Italian spaghetti dinner (which includes Caesar salad, breadsticks and choice of meat or marinara sauce) tickets going for $8 at the door or for $6 in advance by calling (360) 895-3200 by March 15. There’s also no-host beverage and tempting dessert bars.

Capella Choirs Music Center is a non-profit organization based in Port Orchard which was founded by Stephanie Charbonneau and Donald Stojack in 1998 to encourage and promote music education to Kitsap youths. Its five choirs, comprised of boys and girls from all grade levels, will be performing, as will the center’s private lesson students with solo performances.

Renowned local comedian “The Great” Cris Larsen is emceeing the live auction which features fine art, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, event tickets and more to the highest bidder. There also are a silent auction, raffles for the kids and a Las Vegas vacation package raffle.

In addition to the choirs, Capella puts on summer camps. the Fort Worden Children’s Choir Festival in Port Townsend, Kids Choir Club and parent-child Music Together classes.