The Stanley Theater will host The Roast of Senator Joe Griffo, a fundraiser, at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15.

The event starts with a happy hour at 5, with complimentary beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres. A cash bar will also be available.

At 6, state Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-47, Rome, and area roasters (hosted by Stanley Board member Maria Alberico-Brindisi and including master of ceremonies Assemblyman Anthony J. Brindisi Jr., Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr., Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri, Rome Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo, Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, Attorney Louis T. Brindisi and others) will take to the Stanley’s stage to warm things up.

The event will help keep The Stanley moving ahead with improvements and upgrades to the historic theater.

Tickets are $50 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased through the Stanley Box Office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and also can be contacted by phone at 724-4000.

Sen. Griffo represents parts of Oneida, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties in the New York State Senate, a position he’s held since 2007.

Griffo serves as chairman of the Senate Energy & Telecommunications Committee, which oversees the development of legislation and policies related to the energy and communications sectors.

Griffo serves on eight standing committees, including Codes, Economic Development, Crime, Tourism, Finance, Higher Education, Racing & Wagering and Homeland Security.He is also a member of the Senate Select Committee on Science, Technology, Incubation & Entrepreneurship. He also holds the title of deputy majority leader for policy and co-chair of the New York State Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.

Griffo was elected three times as mayor of Rome, starting in 1991. He protected the local hospital from closure and helped engineer an economic recovery following the closure of the Griffiss Air Force Base. Then Gov. George E. Pataki appointed Griffo to serve on a blue ribbon panel on municipal lobbying as well as the state’s Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission. Former Comptroller H. Carl McCall also picked Griffo for the Comptroller’s Advisory Commission. Griffo and his wife, Lorraine, an elementary teacher in Camden, reside in Rome.