Every couple of years, we look forward to the Dreams Happen Gala and Playhouse Auction and now it’s just around the corner, on June 6. Treat yourself to a fun and elegant evening benefitting a good cause; click here to purchase tickets. Make sure you bring your checkbook because you might go home with a stunning new playhouse! Along with our donation, The Play’s the Thing, there are eleven more structures  up for auction this year, all donated by various local architects and builders.

Backyard’s not that big? No problem; each structure has a maximum footprint of 8′ x 10′ and is no taller than 10′ 6″. La Maison de mes Reves, designed by Mattingly Thaler Architecture, and HOBBITable, designed by AEDIS Architects, would fit nicely into a modest-sized yard.

Bidding starts at $5,000 and in past years, some have sold for over $100,000. If that’s not in your budget, you can buy raffle tickets to win John Onken Architects’ Fire Lookout, above left, for $5 each.

Sports fans can show their team spirit with Fort-Niner, a playhouse dedicated to the local football team. Budding chefs might prefer Millie’s Roadside Diner.

Renowned architect Frank Gehry decided to join the fun this year with a playful pink structure called Tours en l’Air.

If you can’t make it to the Gala, all the playhouses will be on display until June 12 at the Stanford Shopping Center. Or see them all virtually in this video.

Hope to see you there!