Vacant showroom is site of disco fundraiser

In early November, when Piney Creek Interiors moved its store from 100 Central Ave. in Whitefish to a more convenient space across town, real estate agent Tanya Gersh had a sprawling, hollow room and an idea.

“My background is in event planning,” she said. “I’ve done lots of parties in the past and I know around Christmastime nonprofits are constantly looking for spots for their events to take place.

“I told a few friends, the space is going to be sitting open anyway and I would be happy to donate it to some nonprofits for some winter events if needed.”

One month later, she had two groups take her up on her offer. The loft-style space hosted Love Lives Here’s Celebrate the Light concert and storytelling event last week, and on Dec. 22 the Share Your Voice foundation’s Red Carpet Christmas Disco takes over the downtown locale at 8 p.m.

The 100 Central Ave. building won’t become a permanent performance venue, however, as Gersh indicated that the disco is likely the final event the space will host in its current condition. She said plans are already underway for new tenants to move into the property early next year.

THE FOUNDATION is gearing up a dancing-filled night to raise money for its annual Empowerment Through Performance workshop, and Schaffer is excited for the chance to redecorate the unique space for the first-time event.

“It’s a big, empty room,” Share Your Voices Foundation Managing Director Rebecca Schaffer said. “There’s nothing better than a big, empty room.”

Since joining Share Your Voice earlier this year Schaffer has created two new events, the Christmas Disco and April’s p(Art) of a Whole scavenger hunt, in an effort to invigorate fundraising.

“I’m not as good at organizing sit-down dinners,” Schaffer, who co-founded the offbeat Viscosity Theatre in 2012, said. “When I think about fundraisers my goal is to think of something that people would want to go to and participate in, regardless of what it’s for.

“And I think that there can never be enough dancing.”

The disco includes a costume contest, a photo shoot on the red carpet and a dance-off, along with food, drinks and music. Tickets are $20.

Share Your Voice’s annual summer workshop is an opportunity for teenagers, many from disadvantaged circumstances, to learn performance skills and how to translate those skills into their everyday lives.

“I think it’s particularly important in a digital age where people don’t know how to interact, from grounding to posture to the seven different kinds of intelligences,” Schaffer said. “It crosses over into performance-based things and lets them know that ‘hey, you might not excel in this area but you are intelligent.’”

For more information on the foundation and the Dec. 22 event, visit www.shareyourvoicefoundation.org.

Entertainment editor Andy Viano can be reached at 758-4439 or thisweek@dailyinterlake.com.