Press Release
For Immediate Release – Updated with Children's ticket
pricing
Contact: Keith Kozicki, (404) 434-7705
Date: 2/04/2020
RE: Friends of the Ritz
announce two new 2020 Live Performances
Toccoa,
GA,
The Friends of the Ritz, Inc. announced that it will be sponsoring the
organization's first two live performances of 2020. Atlanta-based improv comedy troupe Dad's
Garage will perform an all ages show at the Historic Ritz Theatre on
Thursday, April 16th and then on Thursday, September 3rd, noted Emmy-winning actor Bill Oberst Jr. performs his one-man tribute, Lewis Grizzard:
In His Own Words.
"After
more than seven months of planning and fundraising we are thrilled that Friends
of the Ritz can begin fulfilling the mission of our organization, and that is
to bring additional programming to the Ritz stage" says Friends of the
Ritz, Inc. President Keith Kozicki.
A June 2019
survey conducted by the organization put live theatre and comedy among the top three
programming requests.
Tickets for
each event will be $15 for Friends of the Ritz members, $17 for the general
public and will go on sale in early February. Thanks to a generous private
donation Friends of the Ritz will be also be able to offer a discounted $10
ticket for children 12 and under.
The
organization held its first quarter Board of Directors meeting followed by the
Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, January 28th at the Historic Ritz
Theatre.
Friends of
the Ritz members voted overwhelmingly for the 2020 Friends of the Ritz, Inc.
Board of Directors who now include:
Rucia Adams
Gary
Cortellino, President-elect
Sharon
Crenshaw, Secretary
Sharon
Crosby, Treasurer
Shantelle
Grant
Evan Hellenga
Keith
Kozicki, President
Friends of the Ritz, Inc. is a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization
dedicated to raising funds for additional programming, marketing and building
enhancements at the Historic Ritz Theatre. The organization's Annual Membership Meeting Report was also released and
is available below.
2019 Annual Report
- Friends
of the Ritz, Inc. receives official IRS notification of 501(c)(3) status
on July 22, 2019
- Fundraising
activities begin during the summer of 2019 and included membership
acquisition activity and planning for a major fall event
- Friends
of the Ritz, Inc. bank account and PO Box established
- 80
for 80 Celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the Ritz Theatre in
Toccoa is held on November 22nd raising over $4,000 via event ticket
sales, regular memberships and special 80 for 80 membership donations, as
well as corporate sponsorship
- $1000
raised via corporate sponsorships
- December
2019 - Contracts signed for two separate 2020 Friends of the
Ritz-sponsored live performances
- December
2019 – 65 active Friends of the Ritz members
- December
31, 2019 – $6,361.36 cash on hand
- Board
of Directors public meetings held January 28th, June 22nd, September 14th,
and December 10th of 2019
Proposed
2020 Goals:
- Increase membership to over 100 active
members
- Double corporate sponsorships to $2,000
- Present at least three Friends of the
Ritz-sponsored live performances,
including one that also serves as a major fundraising event
- Establish active Membership &
Programming Committees
- Begin postcard membership acquisition
campaign
- Create bi-annual membership newsletters
For more information contact Keith Kozicki, President,
Friends of the Ritz, Inc. at (404) 434-7705.
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