If you are a dog lover, interested in seeing local talent or just looking for some last minute St. Patrick’s Day plans, then mark your calendar for March 17.
This St. Patty’s Day, Benicia High School senior Zoe Goldie is hosting a Best of Benicia Talent Show, with all proceeds benefitting the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). There will be food, raffles, prizes and plenty of talent on display. All are invited to attend the event, which will be held at Benicia’s Clocktower, located at 1189 Washington St., from 5 p.m. to midnight. Doors open at 5, and acts will be performed from around 6 to 8 p.m., with an intermission in between. Following the formal show, guests will be allowed on stage for karaoke and those that want to display a last minute talent act are invited to do so.
Planning and hosting a community event is no small undertaking, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Zoe Goldie. The ambitious senior, determined to bring her class together during their last few months at BHS, came up with the idea for a local talent show. Goldie had recently stumbled on an article about how ARF frequently rescued dogs from kill shelters, and being an avid animal lover, knew that she had to somehow incorporate it into the show. After contacting ARF, Goldie decided to donate all proceeds from ticket and raffle sales to the organization. In addition, she will be putting up pictures of local rescue dogs at the event for those interested in adopting a furry friend.
For Goldie, making a profit on the event never even crossed her mind.
“All of us seniors will be going our separate ways soon, and I wanted to do something that would bring us together, something that we could look back on years from now,” she said.
Having participated in multiple dance and talent shows at the high school, Goldie wanted to do something that involved the performing arts, where people could show off their talents and abilities. She decided that a talent show would be the perfect event, and although originally intended for the senior class, Goldie realized it had the potential to be citywide.
“I said to myself, ‘The more the merrier,'” she remarked. “And since all the money is going to help animals, I wanted as big of a turnout as possible.”
Getting a desirable turnout, however, is easier said than done. According to Goldie, “The hardest part of the planning so far has been spreading the word.”
She has posted information about the event on multiple social media platforms, from Instagram to Twitter to Facebook, and started a website: https://zoegoldie1.wixsite.com/talentshow.
Goldie also plans on contacting local businesses about donating raffle prizes, and will be passing out fliers around town advertising the event.
Those interested in signing up for the talent show can visit the aforementioned website, where they will be required to submit an online form. The application is due March 10, and rehearsals will be held at the Benicia Senior Center from noon to 4 p.m. on March 12. All performers are granted free admission, and prizes will be given out to a winner and two runners-up. Whether it’s slam poetry, magic tricks, or stand up comedy, all acts are welcome to enter.
For those who would rather be in the audience, tickets are $10 online. A limited number of tickets will also be sold at the door for $12, and there will be raffle tickets available to purchase for $1 each. Donation boxes will be set up for those who want to make an additional contribution to ARF. If you’re looking for night out on the town, or just want to support a great cause, make sure you check out the Best of Benicia Talent Show this Saint Patrick’s Day. If you have any questions or want more information, feel free to contact Goldie at zoe.goldie1@gmail.com.

Jasmine Weis is a senior at Benicia High School.

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