It’s Vegas, Baby! Mega-gala slated for Dec. 14

Special to 318 Forum

The Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC) has announced the theme for the 2024 Christmas in the Sky Gala: Sinsational! It’s Vegas Baby! The internationally award-winning gala is hosted at Louisiana Downs on Saturday, Dec. 14.

SRAC chair Sandi Kallenberg explains: "Over the past 19 events, Christmas in the Sky has taken us everywhere — Around the world, New York and Broadway, Hollywood, outer space and out of this world, destinations beyond imagination, and we’ve been Hot! Hot!! HOT! as well as freezing cold! So, where is the one place in the world where you can experience all of it? The sizzle, the sparkle, glitz, glamour and neon? It’s Vegas, Baby—and Christmas in the Sky 2024 will be Sinsational!"

A team of 500 volunteers, directed by Sky chair Heidi Kallenberg, creates the glittery biennial event attended by 2,500 guests who travel from Canada, New York, Florida, California, Texas and Shreveport-Bossier to spend the evening dancing, dining, experiencing wonders and mysteries, and bidding on 1,000 auction items in the silent auction. A live auction features 30 items beyond your wildest dream — trips, jewelry, celebrity collectibles, one-of-a-kind experiences and dinner party extravaganzas for 100 people.

SRAC Chairperson Sandi Kallenberg and a couple of Vegas babes

Mark McKay and Rick Simpson, Wine and Spirit Co-chairs

Community designers volunteer for 10 months to build the soaring sets and intricate props that create 17 separate Sky sections, illuminating the overall sensational theme. Linda B. Goldsberry, design chair, oversees the event’s creation with a production team and 30 designers.

The 24 Ct. Club live auction welcomes high-rollers to bid sky-high on lavish luxuries, and a golden paddle raffle guarantees one winner a $10,000 bidding credit.

Christmas in the Sky is renowned for the “oohs and ahhs“ of 1,000 donated auction items from area businesses, artists and contributors around the world. Guests bid on terrific travel opportunities to beautiful beaches, sporting events, vineyards, distilleries and staycations. Jewelry, accessories and collectibles tempt, and vintage couture and haute fashion beckon. Personal services — massages, teeth whitening, spa days, custom design and interior design will make you feel like a “whale“! It’s an adult event, but a special auction area is filled with kids’ gifts. Decorations, accessories, china and crystal round out exciting holiday bidding. And the art auction is out of this world.

Chef Ryan Gillespie oversees a blue-ribbon cadre of area chefs who prepare decadent delights throughout 12 hot and cold buffets. Republic National Beverage Company, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Eagle Distributing/Budweiser and Coca-Cola United of Shreveport oversee luscious libations and beverages.

Dr. Michael T. Acurio is the presenting sponsor for Christmas in the Sky. The Shreveport Regional Arts Council announces a new major sponsor: BOM Bank. The community supports the Shreveport Regional Arts Council with more than 200 sponsors and 900 auction donors.

Shreveport Regional Arts Council president Henry Price says, “The proceeds from Christmas in the Sky support free community arts programming for two years.” Program support includes the ArtBreak Festival, Arts in Education and STEAM Learning, the Bakowski Bridge of Lights Glo Fests, Caddo Common Park Programming and Artspace exhibitions.

To donate an item, pledge a sponsorship or for more information, please visit the Shreveport Regional Arts Council website, www.shrevearts.org, or call 318-673-6500.