Holiday events, benefits has TCA bustling

The Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) has a December to remember going in full swing. Between fundraisers and holiday concerts, the theater is a busy place.One of the TCA’s yearly fundraisers is a Buy-a-Seat program. For the past six years, individuals or families can have a plaque applied to a seat of choice in the theater.Last year the board decided to have a December sale on the seats. Instead of the normal charge of $700, people can purchase a plaque for $250.“We do have seats for sale throughout the year at TCA,” said Shelley Lim, Cultural and Leisure Direct for Tecumseh. “We let them select the seat they are interested in, and we will put a plaque on the arm with their name on it. It’s a great Christmas gift.”The sale runs through January 2, and orders can be placed over the phone or in person at the TCA. “We’ll make it very easy for folks,” Lim said.Another way the TCA is raising money for the organization is a 50/50 raffle. Only 250 tickets will be sold, with each ticket costing $100. Ideally the goal is to raise $25,000 total.“We’d like to split that money with someone,” said Lim. “We’ve sold about 100 tickets, and the drawing is Dec. 13.”The drawing is scheduled during the Street Corner Symphony concert, which is December 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the TCA. “It’s going to be very fun,” Lim said. “We put a call in months ago at the North Pole. Santa Claus himself is going to pull the winning ticket for us.”There is a great deal of excitement at the TCA over the Street Corner Symphony holiday performance. The internationally known a cappella group gained notoriety on NBC’s all vocal competition, “The Sing-Off.”“They are awesome,” said Lim. “It’s a holiday concert, and they will be performing classic music and their own compositions. They are also going to include a few Christmas carols for us.”Holiday performances continue at the TCA the very next day at 4 p.m. “On Sunday, December 14, we have our very own Tecumseh Big Band and VocalAires,” Lim said. “They’re going to put some swing into our holidays for us. Tickets are only $5.”People are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the TCA on Sunday before the concert to benefit hungry residents in the area. Community response to the food drive in 2013 was impressive, and Lim hopes to gather even more food on December 14.“Last year we filled up two truck beds,” she said.Another momentous event for the TCA in December is the retirement of Sales and Marketing Director Rebecca Peach. A long-time employee of the city, Peach has been working with the TCA for the past 16 years.Before the TCA, Peach was program director for Tecumseh Parks and Recreation, as well as director of the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce. No matter where she was working in the city, Peach’s favorite part of any job was working with area residents.“It’s been a real pleasure,” said Peach. “People come to have a good time. It’s always wonderful to see them again when they come back. I will definitely miss the people and the excitement that goes on here.”Peach will also miss working with the TCA board and staff. “We have a great team,” she said. “They make magic happen.”There will be one big advantage for Peach in her retirement. “Now I’ll get to see a show,” said Peach.For more information, call 423.6617.