KEENE, NH – All are invited to the 10th anniversary of MoCo Arts’ signature fundraising gala, Lights. Camera. KEENE! on Saturday, October 23. Festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. Attendees have the option of attending either in-person (call 603-357-2100 to register) at MoCo Arts in downtown Keene or livestreaming the event online through Zoom.
All event proceeds benefit MoCo’s tuition assistance and inclusive, year-round arts education programs for students of all abilities, ages 18 months to 18+ years. As part of its nonprofit mission, MoCo Arts provides over $79,000 in tuition assistance per year and has never turned a child away because of a family’s lack of ability to pay.
Flash back in time with this year’s event theme of “Then and Now” in recognition of MoCo’s 30th anniversary. MoCo will showcase costumes from productions like Beauty & The Beast and The Nutcracker, along with favorite set pieces and featured videos of current students and alumni like Dan Kuhn.
“If there is one way that MoCo has inspired me the most every day, it’s a sense of value and confidence in my abilities,” said Dan. “That translates directly to what I do every day, as a chef at a local restaurant. Having that sense of confidence is incredibly important for leading a team.”
Dan Kuhn, MoCo Arts alumni
Guests will be treated to lively and laugh worthy performances featuring local business and community leaders, a live auction, farm-to-table hors d’oeuvres by Machina Arts, featured cocktails from Deeluxe Bartending, dancing and more. Watch as time honored favorite sketches come back to life, like MoCo’s Dunkin’ commercial, “Time to Make the Donuts” comedic spoof featuring Keene’s Mayor George Hansel. Other performers include Senator Jay Kahn, Keene State College President Melinda Treadwell, Super Seniors, The Studs and many more surprise guests!
As part of the annual fundraiser, MoCo is holding an online auction ahead of the event, from Thursday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 22. Auction items up for grabs include autographed Celtics, Patriots, and Bruins photos; a countryside, luxury treehouse overnight; dinner for four to Granita Enoteca; Steve Holmes Photography portrait session; a day on the links at Bretwood Golf Course; 603 Charcuterie class; Douglas Cuddle Toys catalog photo shoot featuring your child; and many other desirable items like a slate-tile top outdoor fire pit. The live auction on Oct. 23 includes one-of-a-kind, local and national travel experiences that winners can customize to their wishes and enjoy at a later date. Livestreaming attendees can also bid live through Zoom on these must-have experiences. All auction proceeds benefit MoCo’s tuition assistance and year-round arts education programs.
COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place at the live event. Masks are required to enter the building and throughout the event. Like restaurants, seating is socially distanced, and masks may be removed when guests are enjoying appetizers and cocktails at their table.
Tickets to the in-person 21+ live event are $75 and include 2 drink vouchers, and hors d’oeuvres and desserts featuring Machina Arts’ signature handcrafted style. Virtual tickets are $45 and include a return of our popular red-carpet interviews, a livestream of the performance and participation in the Send-a-Kid and live auctions.
Have plans on the 23rd? You can still support MoCo’s mission. Click “Donate” on the organization’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mocoarts or visit www.moco.org/support for ways to give.
Please join us in thanking MoCo’s 2021 Lights. Camera. Keene! sponsors: A.L. Johnson & Sons Roofing, LLC, DEW Construction, Douglas Company, Fenton Family Dealerships, Ganio Land Management, Greenwald Realty, Hamshaw Lumber, Kickboxing Keene, LLC, The Insurance Source Inc., KCS Architects, Keene Monument Company, Mascoma Bank, The Melanson Company, Inc., Monadnock Broadcasting Group, Monadnock Capital Group, NHTrust, Park Place Veterinary Hospital, Richardson Home Inspection Service, LLC, S.U.R. Construction West, Inc., True North Networks, Walier Chevrolet and Ye Goodie Shoppe. In-kind donors include AMT Productions, Elm City Compost, Games2Go, Luca’s Mediterranean Café, Machina Arts and Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters.
Interested in event sponsorship? Contact Kristina Carlson, Director of Development & Public Relations at (603) 357-2100 x204.
