COMMUNITY NEWS BRIEFS: Open house events and school supply donations

Cast members from Community Stages, from left, Zoe Cox, 16, Robert Skipper, 14, Tyler Ruiz, 18, Charlie Overly, 13, Lilly Gonzalez, 16, Trinity Gori, 16, and Caroline Overly, 10, rehearse a scene from one of their folktales at the Chelsea Art Center in Ocala on March 21, 2024. [File art by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Open house events

The Community Stages nonprofit performing arts group and the Chelsea Art Center will offer free open house events from Aug. 24-29 at the center.

Community Stages is entering its third year in Ocala and the Chelsea Art Center is expanding its community programming. The events are geared toward offering visitors a way to connect with teaching artists, explore theatre and visual arts programs, and discover how art builds confidence, expression and community, the news release noted.

The events are:

Aug. 24 – Open House Birthday Bash, 3 p.m., celebrate Community Stages’ second birthday with drop-in theatre games, refreshments and opportunities to meet teaching artists.

Aug. 25 – Palette Pals: Kids Club Demo Day, 4-5 p.m., kids ages 7-12 are invited to sample Chelsea Art Center’s afterschool program with a free acrylic painting class led by Barbara Fife.

Aug. 26 – Homeschool Demo Day, noon-1:30 p.m., families are invited to experience PAL (Performing Arts Local) and VAL (Visual Arts Local)—Community Stages’ weekly homeschool offerings. PAL builds acting and storytelling skills, while VAL explores the design side of theatre through costuming, puppetry and scenic design.

Aug. 27 – Adult Theatre – Play Date, 6-8 p.m., ensemble games, improvisation and exploration in a welcoming environment. No experience needed.

Aug. 28 – Audition Prep Workshop, 5:30-7:30 p.m., youth ages 9–18 can sharpen audition skills and build confidence.

All events take place at Chelsea Art Center, 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala. Registration is encouraged but not required. The venue is ADA-accessible.

To learn more, go to communitystages.org and chelseaartcenter.com

Business donates school supplies

Action Roofing Services, a Florida-based roofing company and member of the Peak Roofing Partners Family of Companies, partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County to host a back-to-school supply giveaway. The Aug. 1 event provided 100 children ages 6-12 and their families with school supplies, along with a celebratory pizza party.

Recent studies show that families spend an average of $586 per child on back-to-school expenses, potentially creating financial strain for many households in Marion County, the news release noted.

“This back-to-school giveaway demonstrates how local businesses can make a meaningful difference in children’s lives,” said Anthony Henderson, director of Ocala Boys and Girls Club, in the release. “When children have the supplies they need, they can focus on learning rather than worrying about what they lack.”