Racine & Me December 3, 2017: Blank-Fest Wisconsin XI, A Christmas Carol: The Musical, and RAM AdORNAMENTS

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Jacob Kittilstad started this holiday-themed episode by welcoming the organizers of Blank-Fest XI to the studio. This yearly music festival asks visitors to donate a blanket in place of buying a ticket for the three-night event. Those blankets are then donated to local homeless shelters and advocacy groups. This year organizers are also accepting toiletries for entry. Common bathroom items – including toothpaste, deodorant, and socks – are often in high demand. Click here for more information on Blank-Fest XI

Next, “Scrooge” from the Racine Theatre Guild’s production of “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” talked about stepping into the iconic character’s shoes. The holiday production is one of the largest put together by the theater group – meshing newer actors with longtime contributors. Click here for more information on the production

Two cast members then gave the Racine & Me audience a taste of what the show is like. “Bob Cratchit” and “Tiny Tim” performed a portion of their duet “Christmas Together”. The pair then told Jacob about the importance of the relationship between the two characters. “Tiny Tim” also talked about the auditioning process because it is the first show that the Gifford Elementary School student has been cast in. Click here for more information on the production

Finally, the Racine Art Museum talked about their final push for entries in the Art of AdORNAMENTS competition. The museum is collecting ornaments created by members of the public to be placed on one of their trees (nearby their official holiday tree featuring a trove of ornaments donated by Emile H. Mathis II). The owner of Hot Shop Glass showed off her past contributions which included beautiful blown glass shapes. Jacob then showed off how to make ornaments ‘on the cheap’ with a do-it-yourself video – ending with a presentation of a garland of three dimensional stars. Click here for more information on the Racine Art Museum and click here for more information on Hot Shop Glass

Guests: Ron Purtee – Blank-Fest Wisconsin XI Organizer, JJ McAuliffe – Blank-Fest Wisconsin XI Organizer, Bob Benson – “Scrooge” in “A Christmas Carol: The Musical”, Leah Starks – “Tiny Tim” in “A Christmas Carol: The Musical”, Peter Jones – “Bob Cratchit” in “A Christmas Carol: The Musical”, Amanda Paffrath – Owner of Funky Hannah’s and Hot Shop Glass, Bruce W. Pepich – Racine Art Museum Executive Director and Curator, Lisa Englander – Racine Art Museum Principal of Guest Experience and Retail