Celebrate our birthday with us!
Saturday, October 25th
5:30 - 8:30 PM
Ojai Art Center
We are celebrating 30 years of inspiration, education, diversity, and stories from our neighbors around the globe! In 1995, Brian Bemel saw the growing need for more inclusive and accessible arts education in the schools of Ventura County. On the heels of stark cuts to arts funding in California and around the country, Performances To Grow On was born from a motivation to keep the stories that shape our past, present, and future, coming from broad and inclusive backgrounds. PTGO has always been committed to sharing and amplifying diverse voices from around the world and in 2025 it is more important than ever to stand strong on that promise.
Celebrate with us and honor Brian Bemel at our Sunset Soiree with special Featured Storyteller appearances, live auction, open bar, and dinner catered by local Ojai restaurants and wineries!
Support our goal to raise 30K this year
This year due to changes in our federal administration and public grant access to small non-profits like ours, we lost over 30k of normal funding we could have received. We were initially awarded an NEA grant of 25k which could have covered operational costs for the festival, and it was rescinded! Help us raise 30k!
The evening’s schedule:
Open Bar
Dinner + a show
Live Auction
Night Cap
Live Auction Rules:
To participate in the Live Auction, you will be provided a bidding Paddle at check- in.
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A point of contact will be confirmed during the event for billing purposes.,
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You will receive a bidding Paddle to use during our live auction. Your name is associated with this paddle number, and our auction helpers will record if you win an item and for what amount.
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If you win an item, or wish to donate - Stop by the Auction table after the event to discuss your donations and payment method. A bill will be provided to you via your contact information.
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You will be mailed a tax deductible donation letter after the Festival, detailing the items you received or donations made during the Sunset Soirée.
Tickets: $100 | $110
Sheila Arnold
Sheila Arnold, fondly known as Ms. Sheila, has been presenting Storytelling Programs, Historic Character Presentations, Christian Monologues, Professional Development and Inspirational/Motivational Speaking for schools, festivals, churches and organizations nationally and internationally since 2003.
Master of Ceremonies
Brian Bemel
The brains and brawn behind starting the Ojai Storytelling Festival in 2000 and its parent Non-Profit Performances to Grow on in 1995, was an Ojai local and supporter of the arts. He now resides in Santa Barbara, enjoying retirement!
Honoree
Kara Lakes
Kara has been Executive and Artistic Director of Performances To Grow On since 2021 and served as Associate Director for several years before that time, collaborating closely with the organization’s founder, Brian Bemel. Alongside her work with Performances To Grow On, Kara has also been a dedicated educator in the Ojai Valley since 1997. Her passion for storytelling and commitment to education have left a lasting impact on both the organization and the community it serves.
PTGO's Director
Nolskee is an open format DJ, and vinyl collector who got his start in LA radio. He currently plays locally, and for this gig will be spinning jazz, carefully selected funk, rock, and b side pop. Giving you a slightly deeper dig into crates of the 60’s,70’s,80’s, plus a bit of current music.
DJ Nolskee
Music
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click here!
SUPPORTING ONE OF OJAI'S
MOST BELOVED ANNUAL EVENTS
