Kahilu Theatre First Holiday Themed Fundraiser

The Kahilu Theatre will hold its annual fundraising event – Kahilu Holiday Party – A Benefit for the Arts on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m.

The event will be being hosted by the Theatre’s Board of Directors and it is the first “Holiday” themed benefit the non-profit has organized.

The Kahilu Theatre will hold its annual fundraising event – Kahilu Holiday Party – A Benefit for the Arts on Dec. 4. It is the Theaters first Holiday themed event. Circus Camp Finale. Photo credit: Andrew Richard Hara

The party will feature hosted libations, culinary delights, performances by Kahilu Performing Arts students, sing-along music, a live auction, and dancing in the Mike Luce Studio.

Proceeds will benefit Kahilu Theatre’s arts education programs, which include shows, classes, camps and partnerships under the organization’s Arts Ed @ Kahilu brand.

“The event promises to be a festive occasion that will showcase our educational programs in the setting of our beautiful arts center,” says Mimi Kerley, President of the Board of Directors. “We want our Holiday Party guests to connect directly to our mission and meet the students who benefit from their generosity.”

Kahilu Theatre is the only full-season arts presenting organization on Hawai‘i Island that also provides education programs year-round.

Says Kerley, who is also chairing the Holiday Party Committee, “In Kahilu’s current strategic plan, strengthening our education services is our top priority. We know that the arts encourage values of responsibility, purpose, belonging, tolerance, and inclusion. And, as is consistent statewide and across the nation, arts education continues to be under-funded in our schools. Kahilu is enlivened more and more by stewarding stronger alliances with artists, educators, schools and partner organizations on our island.”
During the event, the Kahilu wine bar will offer special selections hosted by David Ellis.

Kahilu Theatre Board member and Pau restaurant proprietor Mike Bennett has enrolled several local farms and culinary artists to complement the activities.

Bennett says, “Our live auction will offer a dozen one-of-a-kind creative experiences. Board member Jon Staub has put together a package for six with Gold level tickets to the Russian River Jazz Festival along with a four-night stay at a private residence in Northern California. Another item is a North Hawai‘i Artists’ Studio Tour hosted by Kahilu Exhibits coordinator Margo Ray. Your own Kahilu Theatre Movie Night for you and twelve of your best friends will also be on the auction block. There are several other unique packages sponsored by my fellow Board members that we hope will inspire some spirited bidding to benefit Kahilu.”

The budget for Kahilu Theatre’s 2016/17 education services is $285,000.

One of the hallmark programs the Holiday Party will support is Youth Shows, performances by Season artists offering students ages 5-18 from public and private schools, as well as homeschoolers, the opportunity to experience live music, dance and theatre of very high quality.

In the past year, Kahilu increased its number of shows from 12 to 22, responding to community demand.

The Party proceeds will also support a scholarship fund for Kahilu Performing Arts Classes and Camps.

“What are we building today that will last 1,000 years was a question posed to me last summer,” says Kahilu Theatre Executive Director Deborah Goodwin. “The answer? Ideas. Ideas that stand the test of time, push past conceived barriers and encourage us to dream big dreams. The arts are the birthplace of these kinds of ideas, and are vital, now more than ever, for creating a future filled with optimism.”

Tickets are $180 for a pair, or $100 per person and must be reserved in advance online here, by calling the Box Office at 808.885.6868 or or at the Kahilu Theatre Box Office at 67-1186 Lindsey Road, Kamuela, HI 96743, Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.