SILER CITY, N.C. — Anyone can help Jordan-Matthews High School arts students make an educational trip this spring — and have the chance to win gas for an excursion of their own — when the Big Apple Raffle returns this fall.
Tickets are $5 each and entitle holders to the chance to win one of three Circle K gas cards being given away, one card each valued at $300, $200 and $100. The drawing will be held during the JM Holiday Concert, which is scheduled for Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. You do not have to be present to win.
They are now available in the school’s front office and from students who are traveling this spring on JMArts’ New York Arts Adventure or with the Jordan-Matthews Concert Band to the Williamsburg Heritage Festival. Tickets also will be available at arts events this fall — including “Breakfast with Princess Ariel and Friends,” “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” and the Holiday Concert.
The Big Apple Raffle was created last year to raise money for students on the inaugural New York Arts Adventure, where eight upperclass art students explored one of the world’s great cities, gained new perspectives to influence their work and experienced the very best in theater, music and visual arts.
Last year, students attended the Metropolitan Opera, saw Wyton Marsalis and Chick Corea perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center, explored the Museum of Modern Art and attended several Broadway productions.
The trip also was an opportunity to meet and learn from world-class artists working in the city. Students sat down on stage with Tony Award winner Ari’el Stachel and Broadway actor Etai Benson after watching them perform in "The Band's Visit.” They talked theater and life over lunch with Jessie Austrian — Broadway actress, stage director, NYU faculty and a founder/co-artistic director of Fiasco Theater. And they enjoyed some time chatting with Joel Wenhardt after the jazz pianist concluded his late-night set at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola.
This year, the raffle also will assist instrumentalists performing in April at the Williamsburg Heritage Festival, where the JM Concert Band will perform, participate in a mini-clinic and receive feedback from festival adjudicators.
"What better prize could we choose to fund student travel experiences that a gas card?” said JMArts President Rose Pate. "It’s something almost everyone can use, and these cards can be used at any Circle K selling non-branded gasoline. We’re delighted to have the marching band participating this year to help fund their trip to Williamsburg."
More information about the production and other arts events scheduled for this season is available online at jmarts.org.
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