Raumati retailers and hospitality are stepping up to support a massive fundraising drive to build the $10million Kāpiti Performing Arts Centre.
Community groups are running a fashion show on 30 September featuring designs from Paper Doll, The Frock Shop, Holy Smoke and Kāpiti College textile and design students.
Event coordinator Nicky Hughes-Richards says, “it is an exciting event fundraising for a facility that will showcase Kāpiti”.
Collaboration is evident in this event: food, drink, and time are being donated free of charge.
Paper Doll owner Trina Laracy says it’s an example of what we can do for the community.
“It will be a beacon for our region, and bring people into the area”.
She is also excited about the business it will bring to the shopping centre. Parents will be able to drop their children off, visit the shops, and return later in the day to collect their children, she says.
Ms Laracy is passionate about fashion. Raised as the daughter of a dressmaker, she went on to establish her own high end clothing businesses. Both of her boys went to Kāpiti College, and contributing to the fashion show is her way of giving back. It will be a great night out, supporting a worthy cause, according to Ms Laracy.
Cas Carter, chair of the Kāpiti Performing Arts Centre Fundraising Committee is delighted with the support from the local community. “Trina has the vision to understand that a new community Performing Arts Centre will have an incredible impact on, not just Raumati, but the whole of Kāpiti. We will finally have a place to showcase and grow a key strength of Kāpiti – our arts.”
More than 90% of the $10million needed to build the Centre has been raised with a further $800,000 to go and Carter is seeking support from other businesses and community groups to help raise them reach their goal.
The venue will feature a 330 seat auditorium, a black box theatre, rehearsal rooms, and modern classrooms. Community groups will be able to rent out the space at discounted rates, for up to 300 nights per year.
Tickets for the fashion show are $35, or $50 for a front row seat. They can be purchased from The Frock Shop, Paper Doll, Holy Smoke and online.
