Winter’s early onset has everyone seeking warmth.
The Collingwood Art Center (CAC), 2413 Collingwood Blvd., is in particular need of heat after two of its three boilers went out last winter. Although the center has received offers from Campbell Mechanical, Campbell Supply and Local 50 of The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry to help with its current boiler and pricing and installation of the new boilers, it will still cost the CAC about $19,000 to properly heat the building.
In an effort to help raise money for the project, CAC is hosting a fundraiser, “Frostbitten: A Variety Show Featuring the Best of CAC” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29. The show will feature performances from groups already performing at CAC, including Birds Eye View Circus, Children’s Theatre Workshop, Charity Drag of Toledo, Loa Fire and the T-Town Tassels.
Advance tickets are $9 each or $15 for a pair. Children 12 and under will be $5. Advance tickets can be purchased at the CAC or online at www.frostbitten.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets will be $12 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.
“We’re in a situation where it’s imperative to get heat in the building in order to continue operating just to keep the businesses that are already in place and to continue to be able to rent the theater,” said Lexi Staples, CAC executive director.
The need for the boilers was particularly disappointing for the center because officials thought the situation had been remedied earlier this year when a group of community members offered to donate and install a boiler that would replace the center’s three older boilers.
When the engineers prepped for installation in September, they discovered it was too large and would be too inefficient for the needs of the CAC.
After discussing ways to raise the money with Erin Garber-Pearson of Birds Eye View Circus, Staples decided to move forward with the “Frostbitten” fundraiser.
“It’s really cool to see the community coming together to support this community space that is so much already but could be so much more,” Staples said.
Garber-Pearson said the circus wants to do whatever it can to help out its performance space.
“We train and perform in the theater,” Garber-Pearson said. “It’s really important to us the CAC theater is warm. We just made an investment in that building in general and want to see it succeed. We will basically do whatever it takes to help support that place.”
Birds Eye View Circus will take some of the top acts from its recent “Toy Chest” show, including acrobatic acts, trapeze, aerial hoop, silks and double silks elements.
“Frostbitten” is just the first of several fundraisers for the boiler project, Staples said. The CAC is also accepting donations online at www.gofundme.com/h9wk3s/.
“From kids’ acts to fire breathing to the circus, it’s going to be a crazy and interesting evening,” Staples said.
The Mission of the CAC is to provide an outlet for creative community involvement while preserving a historic space. For more information about the CAC, visit www.collingwoodartscenter.org.
