by SHREVEPORT, La. – The Shreveport Regional Arts Council has announced the theme for the 2024 Christmas in the Sky Gala: SINSATIONAL! IT’S VEGAS BABY! The internationally award-winning gala is Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, hosted at Louisiana Downs.
Shreveport Regional Arts Council Chair, Sandi Kallenberg explains, “Over the past 19 events, Christmas in the Sky has taken us everywhere – Around the World, New York and Broadway, Hollywood, Outer Space and Out of this World, Destinations beyond Imagination, and we’ve been Hot! Hot!! HOT! as well as freezing cold! So where is the one place in the world to experience all of it? The Sizzle, the Sparkle, Glitz, Glamour, and Neon? IT’S VEGAS BABY…and Christmas in the Sky 2024 will be SINSATIONAL!”
A team of 500 volunteers, directed by SKY Chairman, Heidi Kallenberg, creates the glittery biennial event attended by 2,500 guests who travel from Canada, New York, Florida, California, Texas, and Shreveport-Bossier to spend the evening dancing, dining, experiencing wonders and mysteries, and bidding on 1,000 Auction Items in the Silent Auction. A LIVE Auction features 30 items beyond your wildest dream – Trips, Jewelry, Celebrity Collectibles, one-of-a-kind experiences, and Dinner Party extravaganzas for 100 people.
Community Designers volunteer their time – for 10 months – building the soaring sets and intricate props that create 17 separate SKY sections – all illuminating the overall SINSATIONAL theme. Linda B. Goldsberry, Design Chair, oversees the creation of the event with a Production Team and 30 Designers.
Guests will experience the mystique of Cirque d’ SKY, the magic of STARDUST, the romance of ELVIS’ LOVE ME TENDER CHAPEL OF LOVE, the groove of the LOUNGE LIZARDS, the awesomeness of EVEL KNIEVEL, the vintage…and not so…entertainers of the RAT PACK ROOM, libations and sinsations in GRAPES & DRAPES, the majesty of LUNAR LUNACY, the frenetic fancy of the LADY LUCK CASINO, and Out of this World ART in AREA 51. The 24 CT. CLUB LIVE AUCTION welcomes high rollers to bid SKY HIGH on lavish luxuries and a Golden Paddle raffle guarantees one winner a $10,000 bidding credit.
Christmas in the Sky is renowned for the “oohs and aaahs” of 1,000 donated auction items from area businesses, artists, and contributors around the world. Guests bid on terrific travel opportunities to beautiful beaches, sporting events, vineyards and distilleries, and staycations. Jewelry, Accessories, and Collectibles tempt, and Vintage Couture and Haute Fashion beckon. Personal services – massages, teeth whitening, spa days, custom design, and interior design will make you feel like a “whale!” It’s an adult event, but there’s a special auction area filled with kids’ gifts! Decorations, accessories, china, and crystal round out exciting bidding for the Holidays! And…the Art Auction is OUT OF THIS WORLD!
Chef Ryan Gillespie oversees a blue-ribbon cadre of area Chefs who prepare decadent delights throughout 12 hot and cold buffets. Republic National Beverage Company, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Eagle Distributing/Budweiser, and Coca Cola United of Shreveport oversee luscious libations and beverages.
Dr. Michael T. Acurio is the Presenting Sponsor for Christmas in the Sky. The Shreveport Regional Arts Council welcomes the newest Major Sponsor to Christmas in the Sky, BOM Bank. The Shreveport Regional Arts Council is supported by the community with more than 200 sponsors and 900 Auction Donors to Christmas in the Sky.
Shreveport Regional Arts Council President, Henry Price, reminds, “The proceeds from Christmas in the Sky support free community arts programming for two years.” Program support includes the ArtBreak Festival, Arts in Education and STEAM LEARNING, the Bakowski Bridge of Lights, Glo Fests, Caddo Common Park Programming, and ARTSPACE Exhibitions.
To donate an item, pledge a sponsorship, or for more information, please visit the Shreveport Regional Arts Council website, www.shrevearts.org, or call 318-673-6500.
