Foundation gala this Friday

Published 10:27 pm Monday, February 20, 2017

An annual fundraiser that supports art and music in Suffolk’s public schools is planned for this Friday, and Tuesday is the deadline to get tickets.

A few tickets remain for the Suffolk Education Foundation’s third annual Gala in Celebration of the Arts, said foundation president Jennifer Schmack.

“All the proceeds from this particular fundraiser go directly back to the music and art programs of the participating schools,” Schmack said.

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This year’s theme is “1960s: Dancing in the Streets.”

The event will feature ’60s-themed artwork by Suffolk Public Schools students in elementary through high school, as well as musical performances by middle and high school orchestras, choruses and bands.

Guests will be served dinner while watching the show, and there will be raffles, silent auctions and a photo booth created by a Suffolk art teacher to look like the front of a Volkswagen van.

Schmack said the schools decide what they will do with the funding they receive, as long as it supports the arts.

“So far, we’re on target with last year,” Schmack said. “Last year, we gave a little over $9,000 back to the schools. We’re hoping to exceed that this year.”

Tuesday is the final call for tickets, which are $35 per person. Tickets can be purchased at events.ticketprinting.com/event/sefgala.

“Come out and see what the talented art and music students are doing in Suffolk,” Schmack said.

For more information about the foundation, visit suffolkeducationfoundation.org.