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Collingwood Center in Campbell opened its doors last year with its Christmas event.
It was greeted with plummeting temperatures and a big freeze.
Owner Julie Collingwood said they are looking forward to better weather for the second Christmas at Collingwood Center on Friday.
"The idea last year was to introduce the place, somewhere for the community to go and enjoy themselves," she said. "This year we'll have more entertainment ... It's bigger and better. We wanted to keep the cost down while having really good talent."
Saturday's event will feature the improv comedy troupe Double i Indigo, whose members are Brian Berlin, Dan Betts, Dan Hudock, Melissa Kuttler, Rachel McLaughlin, Athena Tausch and Amy Winner.
Vocalists performing will include Adam Dominick, Lexi Dombrosky, Shiloh Hart, Tyler Stouffer, Rich Domosky, Zoe Anderson, Jessica Collingwood, Erica Kovah, Pricilla Kovach and Stacy Anderson.
Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite ugly Christmas sweater for an evening that also will include dancing, appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, local vendors, food and beverages and a basket raffle.
Proceeds from the basket raffle will go toward continued improvements and renovations at the center.
"We have a lot of plans for improvements with the stage and lighting and the proceeds will help fund that," Collingwood said.
Plans for 2024 include opening a steampunk-themed coffee shop at the center, additional collaborations with the area's theater community to do more productions like last summer's staging of the comedy "Clue" and to offer workshops to use the arts to get children interested in skilled trades.
"If we have a theater performance here, there might be a workshop that runs along with that to teach kids how to build a prop (that incorporates skilled trades abilities)," Collingwood said. "There are a lot of problems with the trades and getting people into it. There are opportunities out there. Even on movie sets, you need tradespeople."
If you go …
WHAT: Christmas at Collingwood Center
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Collingwood Center, 633 Porter Ave., Campbell
HOW MUCH: $10. Tickets are available online at collingwoodcenter.com, by calling 330-536-7250 and at the door the day of the event.