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Bountiful Touches Kids' Lives Through CAPA For the past four years Bountiful, a home interiors and home decorating boutique in downtown Easton has helped raise money for causes throughout the Mid-Shore Area. "We began by helping the Women and Girls Fund of Talbot County get started," says Bountiful's owner Jamie Merida. "But, more recently we have established the Community Alliance for the Performing Arts-CAPA--as our beneficiary." The principal fund raising mechanism has been Bountiful's Christmas Kick-Off Gala, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Thursday, November 1st, from 6-9 PM. The Christmas Kick-Off Gala showcases gift ideas, ornaments and decorations throughout the store. Attendees are treated to cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, performances by vocal groups and individual performers. Twenty percent of the evening's proceeds are contributed to CAPA. CAPA, a 501 c 3, non profit organization, has as its mission to set the stage for youth to succeed by fostering the growth and diversity of performing arts on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Since its founding in 1999, CAPA has produced such shows as Little Shop of Horrors, Cole Porter's High Society and Anything Goes, Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Gin Game, among others. CAPA offers an annual improvisation competition, original theatrical works and musical performances ranging from Gospel to Broadway. Throughout the month of July and into August, CAPA provides a performing arts program called SummerFame, which this year benefited 125 children, grades kindergarten through high school. SummerFame is an intensive program for kids in the performing arts. Students not only learn acting, singing and dance, but various other aspects of theatre arts, including lighting, sound design, costume design, script writing, acting on camera, recording studio techniques and more. Many of SummerFame's instructors are industry professionals from New York, Hollywood and other theatre centers and bring with them a wealth of experience from years of work in television, film, dance, on stage and in the music business. "The appeal of CAPA to me is that it not only helps kids develop performing arts skills, it also helps them deal with life, as well," says Jamie Merida. "Statistics show that young people who participate in the arts have a much greater success rate in school and in life," says CAPA's Co-Founder and Executive Director Erin Geyelin. "In addition, CAPA's educational programs for young people incorporate theater skills in addressing real-life issues faced by children at risk, such as bullying and violent behavior and help develop strategies for dealing with these situations. Theatre work also develops empathy and teamwork skills and improves self-confidence," adds Geyelin. Bountiful's Christmas Kick-Off Gala will include entertainment by jazz pianist Rodrigo Pincheria, performances by SummerFame students Katherine Fisher, Addie Groton and Abi Ward.. Patrick Fee of Churchill Theater will plan Santa Claus. Hair of The Dog is providing cocktails, wine and other beverages, several local area eateries will donate hors d'oeuvres. CAPA receives funding from the Talbot County Arts Council and The Maryland State Arts Council. For information regarding the Christmas Kick-Off Gala on Thursday, November 1st, please call Bountiful at 410-819-8666.
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