‘LET’S GET ROCKED!’ 

– DEF LEPPARD

The Shreveport-Bossier City area will never be the same when Christmas in the Sky: SKY ROCKS brings its 16th biennial fundraiser 7 p.m. Dec. 13 to Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. The party will continue until Elvis has left the building at 3 a.m. The electric and eclectic musical journey is produced by the city of Shreveport, Hilton-Shreveport and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs and benefits the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. 

‘START ME UP’ 
– THE ROLLING STONES

“This year there’s an increased excitement because plenty of people can relate to the theme – you tend to like some kind of rock music, so whether it’s Elvis or Taylor Swift, there will be something there you will find appealing. It’s a very fun theme – it’s playful,” Waynette Ballengee, chairman of Christmas in the Sky, said. 

Her fellow chairman Donna Poimboeuf agrees. 

“I think this is going to be my favorite event we have had so far – I think from the time that you get there the atmosphere is going to be charged with electricity. The fact that it’s a music theme will give it it’s own life,” Poimboeuf said. “The rock ‘n’ roll theme combined with every section being wonderfully unique gives a sensory overload. Everyone can relate to at least one song or one era of music. I think the fact that the music is something everyone can relate to is going to make it a great year.”

SKY ROCKS will feature 15 different areas, each one with a unique musical experience for the guests. From the moment you step out of your car, your musical journey will begin. Jitterbuggers will set the stage as you “Rock Your Selfie” at the Rock Around The Clock area. 

“We are very excited about the ‘Rock Your Selfie’ photos in the lobby,” Ballengee said. “As you come in, you will have the opportunity to have your picture taken and it will be projected on the wall, and if you want to purchase that, it will be $10. We will mail it to you in a little frame after the event.” 

Purchasing a selfie will enter guests in a raffle to win a diamond pendant from Clarkes Jewelers.

The beats continue as you move through such musical experiences as “Rock of Eighties,” “Motown,” “British Invasion,” “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll” and “Pop Princesses” to name a few. Each area has their own unique food, drink and auction items on which revelers can bid. 

Linda B. Goldsberry, the artistic director for Christmas in the Sky, has been involved from the theme inception for the event. 

“I concentrate on working with the creative team and the sections we divide it into. I invite people to do a section, and usually it’s people who have been working with us for a long time, but we are always looking for new people to get involved. We meet, they come back to us with all their ideas, and we combine them, and get started with what materials they will need,” she said. “One of my biggest jobs and what I love the most is dealing with the different designers, different personalities, different sections. We call me the creative director, but I’m really there to help those people do their job. It’s really just keeping everyone moving along and helping them get through. We just keep on keepin’ on!” Goldsberry said. “I’ve been involved with it for so long, I can almost chronicle my life through Christmas in the Sky! It’s very rewarding, or I wouldn’t do it.”

‘(EVERYBODY) GET TOGETHER’ 
– THE YOUNGBLOODS

Without question, those involved love seeing how Christmas in the Sky unites the community. 

“My favorite part of Christmas in the Sky is watching a community come together for an event. That sounds really lofty, but we have had more sponsorships than we’ve had before, we had over 800 items donated for auction, we have 500 plus volunteers working on the event, and we have designers donating their time,” Sandi Kallenberg, SRAC chairman, said.”We have jewelry stores like Sid Potts who are doing the incredible raffle – a pair of three carat diamond stud earrings for $21,000 and a pair of cuff links for men for $2,000.” 

Raffle tickets are available for $25 a piece or five for $100. In addition, Christmas in the Sky engages more than 1,000 area businesses through auction items and sponsorships. Auction items include amazing trips, concert experiences, jewels and much more to keep the rockstar lifestyle going after the event. 

“We are doing something new and different this year that’s never been done. We are going to do what’s called a ‘Fifth Line Drawing.’ If you bid on the fifth line of one of the auctions – it doesn’t mean you will necessarily win the bid – but you will be entered into a drawing that the winner will get a $2,000 gift certificate to Lee Michaels, and if they are present at the drawing, the amount goes up to $3,000. It’s just a cool thing to do something different like that,” Kallenberg said. 

Christmas in the Sky wouldn’t be possible without the tireless efforts of more than 500 volunteers during 18 months of preparation. “You have people from all walks of life that come together to take part in it – which gives the community a sense of ownership,” Poimboeuf said. “So many put so much time into it just purely for the enjoyment of being a part of it, and it wouldn’t be possible without them. There’s nothing like this anywhere, it’s so fulfilling to be a part of something this unique in our area.”

‘THANK YOU (FALLETTIN ME BE MICE ELF AGIN)’ 
– SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE

Everyone involved in the production of SKY ROCKS is excited about the event, but each of them also keep in mind what Christmas in the Sky is really about. 

“Even though this is a fabulous party, and we hope it sells out, and you have the most fun time ever, the most important thing about it is what it is supporting. Without the funds from Christmas in the Sky through the year, [SRAC] would not be able to offer all the things they do for free the rest of the year,” Ballengee said. “It is an increasingly competitive market to raise funds for any nonprofit, so it is crucial that Christmas in the Sky is always the success it is because that keeps SRAC moving forward.”

Poimboeuf agrees. “Knowing what it goes to fund is so important because I really feel that SRAC does a better job than just about anybody distributing their funds. We talk about getting businesses and industry to move here, and people don’t realize the importance that having diversity and having art and music programs and things to do here plays into the economic development of our area. I think there’s a way bigger picture, but it is a way fun party.”

Christmas in the Sky is essential for SRAC to continue their efforts in the community. “Christmas in the Sky helps fund us for two years. We do the ARTBREAK! festival, we are repurposing Shreveport Common, we have our new Art the Dalmatian, we have an entrepreneurial program for artists at Central ARTSTATION, we run artspace, which has rotating shows from locals and all over the world. We are so involved in the community, and without Christmas in the Sky, we wouldn’t be able to do the things we do for the community because everything we do for the community is no fee, except Christmas in the Sky,” Kallenberg said. “I believe that SRAC is doing things that people like and appreciate.”

Goldsberry explained why so many people have been involved with Christmas in the Sky for so many years. “SRAC does so much in Northwest Louisiana, and I’m a total believer in what they do for our school children, for our city, for individuals and for artists. It gives us lots of opportunities that wouldn’t come our way otherwise because of Pam Atchison and Sandi Kallenberg. We all believe in it.”

‘YOU GOTTA FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO PARTY’
– THE BEASTIE BOYS

Christmas in the Sky SKY ROCKS tickets are available for $280, and this year they have been approved to allow 2,500 rockers into the event – up 500 from previous years. 

“We had a woman come in and buy 42 tickets. That’s a record for us for sure!” Kallenberg said. “We have the most generous town in the world, I really believe that. It’s overwhelming, amazing and exciting. The chairmen are incredible. It’s been this team effort that we just have so much fun putting together.” Tickets can be purchased by calling 673-6500.  

Christmas in the Sky was the winner of Special Events International Magazine’s  “Best Gala In The World” award. “You can never really describe what goes on at Christmas in the Sky because there is always some unexpected element that’s hidden within one of the sections. You never know when you’re going to turn a corner and just be shocked to pieces,” Ballengee said. “There’s always something to look forward to, and I think that’s why Christmas in the Sky has survived for so many years.”