Face2Face, Polly Klaas Theatre, Arts Center and more
North Bay Fashion Ball
WHAT IS HAPPENING? A unique and unpredictable benefit for Face to Face, the annual North Bay Fashion Ball returns Saturday, May 28 at the Phoenix Theater. Four local teams of fashion designers and stylists will present “mini-collections” of clothing during the Designer Runway portion of the show, but you don’t have to be a professional designer to strut your stuff. Before the main event, all spectators are invited to parade down the runway, competing in one of seven categories to win that coveted princess tiara. The categories are Tarot Card, Met Gala, Gender Drag, Pop/Rock Star, Up-Cycled/Recycled, Festival Wear and Y2K. All ages and body types are welcome.
WHO IS HE HELPING? 100% of proceeds from the gate will go to Face 2 Face, a local non-profit organization working to end HIV/AIDS in Sonoma County. F2F.org.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Doors to the Phoenix open at 6 p.m. and the Ball Runway begins at 7 p.m., followed by the Designer Runway at 8 p.m., then a big dance party at 9 p.m. Tickets cost between $7.50 and $15 and are available at ThePhoenixTheater.com.
Word Horde Emporium’s Weird New Store
After losing lease, shop dedicated to ‘strange and fantastic’ moves to new home
WHAT IS HAPPENING? One of the coolest and weirdest additions to Petaluma’s retail landscape over the past six months has been the Word Horde Emporium of the Weird and Fantastic. The emporium has lost its lease to the space it shares with pet shop Our Best Friends, and will soon reopen in new digs at the Petaluma Outlet Mall. To raise money for unexpected moving costs, including deposits and everything that comes with relocating two retail businesses, Word Horde set up a GoFundMe campaign, which has already seen fans contribute just under the half of the $10,000 goal. Additionally, there is a virtual tip jar on the Emporium website/blog, where supporters can donate to the cause.
WHO IS HE HELPING? Part bookstore, part gift shop, part quirky portal to the whimsical and macabre, Word Horde Emporium of the Weird and Fantastic is the retail arm of Word Horde Books, a Petaluma-based publishing company and focused on horror, fantasy and science fiction.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? To donate, visit the Emporium’s GoFundMe page (go to GoFundMe.com and search for “Worde Horde Emporium”).
An evening at the Petaluma Arts Center
The benefit includes music and dancing, food and wine, textile art
Saturday June 18, 7 p.m.
WHAT IS HAPPENING? The Petaluma Arts Center is throwing a party and inviting the community to join its members and friends in celebrating the summer solstice. To benefit the Arts Center’s work and upcoming projects, the event features live music by Douglas Cross, a preview of the new exhibition Common Threads: Art and Fiber, dancing with DJ Val, wines and local food, a silent auction and a lot more.
WHO IS HE HELPING? The Petaluma Arts Center is dedicated to building the creative capacity of our community by making art an increasingly vital and meaningful part of our public life.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Tickets are $25, available on the website at PetalumaArtsCenter.org.
Polly Klaas Theater in the home straight
The long-delayed renovation of the theater is coming to an end
WHAT IS HAPPENING? Petaluma’s Polly Klaas Community Theater has been waiting a long time (since 2000) to officially open its doors. After years standing untouched, unable to be used as a gathering space pending seismic and structural renovations, the planned 110-seat facility, built in 1911 as a church, is nearing completion after garnering more of a million dollars. What now remains of the original $1,250,000 goal is just $96,500, money that will help finish construction and increase running costs once the project opens for programs. after-school events, live performances and concerts and other public gatherings.
WHO IS HE HELPING? Through an agreement with the City of Petaluma, the Polly Klaas Community Theater will be owned and operated by the Polly Klaas Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded after the abduction and death of 12-year-old Petaluma in 1993. organization is working to provide assistance in other child abductions, and to provide nationwide safety programs. The theater will be operated as a stand-alone facility with an emphasis on being an affordable performing arts center in downtown Petaluma.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? To donate, visit the project’s GoFundMe page (go to GoFundMe.com and search for “Polly Klaas Community Theatre) or on the Polly Klaas Foundation website at PollyKlaas.org.
(Do you know of an upcoming benefit event or fundraiser? Please send information about the needs of local groups and non-profit organizations. Any special requests or online donation campaigns can be posted in this column. Send all Where and Why (What’s going on? Who is it helping? What else should we know?) to Community Editor David Templeton at david.templeton@arguscourier.com .
