Creative Clay announces the Good Folk Follies Variety Show and Silent Auction. The silent auction opens on Mon., Mar. 22 and concludes on Friday, Mar. 26 with the Good Folk Follies Variety Show, a sampling of unique talent for your viewing pleasure. Cash prizes will be awarded by celebrity judges.
Florenz Ziegfeld created his Follies in 1907 to provide light, inexpensive summer entertainment at a time when the country was at war, battling the Spanish Flu pandemic, then the 1929 Stock Market Crash.
The popularity of lavish musical acts and the famous Ziegfeld Girls launched the careers of memorable stars such as Barbara Stanwyck, Gypsy Rose Lee, Marilyn Miller, Bob Hope, Will Rogers and Josephine Baker.
The Follies forever changed the way the Broadway musical was viewed.
We count ourselves lucky to have survived this century’s pandemic, as well as the other struggles of political division, racial tension, and income inequality.
If we’re healthy, employed, and happy, then we’re lucky.
Our commitment to serve individuals with neuro-differences in all circumstances continues. We also understand that people need to laugh, engage safely with others, and connect with the community. So much has changed, yet much remains the same.
As Creative Clay continues to seek support from the community through fundraising, the Good Folk Follies 2021 will provide the gift of entertainment while generating funds for our programs that create equality through art.
Innovation is key to survival, and Creative Clay is proud to be celebrating 25 years of creating arts access for all. This year, the St. Petersburg non-profit aims to give its friends and fans something new for 2021.
“Roger Curlin, who serves on Creative Clay’s Marketing and Development Committee, had the idea to do a Follies show for our Spring fundraiser along the lines of the Ziegfeld Follies and everyone loved it,” said CEO Kim Dohrman. “We wanted to do something fun and quirky and this really fits the bill.”
The Good Folk Follies will be held on Facebook March 26, as a finale to its online auction March 22-26, and performers are needed. Do you have a special talent you’ve always wanted to share? Do you juggle? Hula Hoop? Sing or play an instrument? All skill levels – from amateur to professional – are welcomed.
To apply to be a part of the Good Folk Follies 2021, please upload your family-friendly 3-5-minute video to our Vidday account at https://share.vidday.com/o-opacdi by Feb. 5. Selected participants will be notified via email by Feb. 12 and will be invited to participate in a live Zoom to share your talent. Celebrity judges will award $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place.
No talent? No problem. You can still participate as a 2021 sponsor. Attractive packages can be designed to provide market visibility and to create a mutual partnership with Creative Clay. Depending on the level of support, sponsors can enjoy a shared logo on Creative Clay products, and/or on items available at in-person events.
“Our sponsorship opportunities are focused on programs rather than events,” said CEO Kim Dohrman. “Sponsors have the ability to be honored at all events and on social media throughout the year, rather than just one event.”
Local companies like Modern Business Associates are mission-driven in their sponsorship of Creative Clay’s programs and events.
“MBA supports Creative Clay because their mission aligns with our core values of equality, diversity and inclusion,” said Sean McConnell, CEO of MBA. “Through the arts, Creative Clay has created positive, rewarding and inclusive experiences for people in our community with disabilities. Their dedication to our community and those less fortunate makes us proud to support them.”
Some sponsors like Black Crow, who has sponsored Spring for the Arts and Creative Clay Fest for several years with its generous coffee donations, has expanded its support of Creative Clay to include exhibits featuring the work of Member Artists and donating coffee for Creative Clay’s Good Folk Label.
Creative Clay recognizes that each sponsorship represents a unique relationship and works with sponsors to create a viable partnership. Creative Clay works with each sponsor to establish goals, then crafts a plan to meet them.
“It is important to us to partner with and promote an organization that has integrity and a higher purpose,” said sponsor and supporter Dee Perconti.
“In a world that is full of inconsistencies I am only interested in giving my time, energy and resources to an organization that I can fully trust and count on. We are proud to be part of the Creative Clay team that enriches our community.”
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Development Coordinator Shane Hoffman at shane@creativeclay.org or at 727-825-0515.
Creative Clay’s core program is its Community Arts Program, which serves 50-60 adult artists with neuro-differences each week. Through the implementation of additional offerings, such as the inclusive Art Around the World summer camp, Summer Studio for older teens and young adults, Artlink employment program, Creative Care Arts in Wellness outreach program, and its Pinellas County Schools’ partnership Transition program, individuals of all ages and abilities are mentored, taught and empowered to become working artists who actively create, market and sell their work.
Learn more about Creative Clay, its vision of equality through art, and its programs at www.creativeclay.org. Like Creative Clay on Facebook; follow on Instagram @creativeclaystpete; follow on Twitter @creativeclay and on LinkedIn.