A group of dance parents in Port Alberni are hoping to support performing arts in the community with a new society.
FAVAS—Funding Alberni Valley Arts Society—incorporated as a society in December with five directors (Tana Cole, Sara and Simon Fox, Erin Parker and Jen Wallman) and about 15 members.
“Our goal is to promote the performing arts to the youth in the Alberni Valley by providing awards, scholarships, bursaries, workshops, training and performance opportunities,” Sara Fox said.
“We had an interest in starting our own performing arts festival. You have to start somewhere and this is what we’ve finally done.”
While most of the participants are dance parents, anyone from the performing arts is welcome to join. The focus will be on everything from dance to theatre to music.
“We wanted to expand opportunities for all the kids in the Valley, outside of our own dance studio,” Wallman said.
The society started with a small loan as seed money and are raising funds as well.
“Our eventual goal is to provide scholarships or bursaries for people who can’t afford it—like KidSport,” Cole said.
“We have tonnes of great ideas. We just have to do our fundraising and go from there,” Fox said.
FAVAS will hold a “country night” fundraiser this Saturday, April 18 at Cherry Creek Hall with the band Backstage Whiskey. Tickets are $20 and available at Elite Dance Academy (5100 Tebo Ave.), Re/Max Mid-Island Realty (4994 Argyle St.) and Port Alberni Pawnbrokers (4549 Gertrude St.). They will not be available at the door.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. No minors.
For more information, e-mail favassociety@gmail.com or go online to favassociety.wix.com/ favas.
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