FOTO Fest and Give 'n Get Gala
December 1, 2007

On December 1, as the holiday season winds into full gear, FOTO will hold two separate events to benefit the Three Oaks Food Pantry. Both will take place in the Acorn Theater.

FOTO Fest

FOTO Fest is a holiday celebration packed with fun activities for kids and adults. It will begin right after the Three Oaks Holiday parade, which starts at 11:00 am and usually lasts about ten minutes. Then we'll proceed to the Acorn Theater for a super yummy lunch of pizza, hot chocolate, and goodies.

Anyone can attend FOTO Fest. We hope you will bring a canned food item and/or make a donation to the Three Oaks Food Pantry.

A magical performer will be on hand to entertain as we warm up for the festivities. In keeping with the holiday spirit, the first highlight will be Shel Silverstein's play, The Giving Tree, performed by local children under the direction of Jenny Hickory. After this, Donna Blue and several of her acting students from La Lumiere school will offer an improv workshop for any kids wishing to participate.

FOTO Fest will culminate when we announce the winners of our 2007 Youth Art Contest. The contest is sponsored by Skyline Design and open to children 5 to 12 years of age who live in the South Berrien County area. Invitations to participate have been sent to a dozen area elementary schools and home school art programs. All entries are due by November 16. (Here is the official 2007 FOTO Art Competition announcement.)

We will select three overall winners. The winning artists will receive cash prizes. Donations will also be made in their names to their school art program and to the Three Oaks Food Pantry. Even better, they will have the satisfaction of knowing their art will be enjoyed by thousands of people, because Skyline Design will incorporate its imagery into architectural stained glass installed in health clinics and learning centers around the globe.

Give 'n Get Gala

The Give 'n Get Gala is an adults-only dance rave that will take place on the evening of December 1. When the clock strikes 7:00 pm, you will be welcomed into the Acorn Theater Dance Palace. The Van Dyke Revue will be our live band jukebox. We'll be jigglin' and wigglin', shakin' and bakin', tappin' and flappin' until the wee hours, with hors d'ouevres and an all-out groove to sustain us. Before and between sets, DJ Freaky Shiki will rock the sauce. At some point, we'll catch our breath with a silent auction of artwork from FOTO Fest, among other special delights.

Tickets are $15. Please also bring any canned food items you would like to donate, because all proceeds will benefit the Three Oaks Food Pantry.