News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu summer 05 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 11/22/05   COLUMBIA THEATRE’S TREE-TRIMMING PARTY IS PRELUDE TO CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS         HAMMOND -- The annual "tree-trimming party" at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts will be a festive prelude to Southeastern Louisiana University's "Celebration of the Lights" on Nov. 29.         The party, which the Columbia hosts each year for area children, is scheduled for 3:30-5 p.m. in the lobby of the downtown theater, where a large holiday tree is decorated with more than 200 ornaments made by area school children using the theme "The Gift of Music."        In addition to viewing the tree, children and parents can enjoy punch and cookies, have a photo taken with Santa Claus, make their own holiday ornament under the guidance of art students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, and enjoy holiday vocalizing by the Loranger High School Choir, said Tonya Lowentritt, the Columbia’s marketing director.         "Our party is a celebration of the gifts our community has to offer and an opportunity to showcase our children's talents on our holiday tree," she said.        Through a special drawing at 4:30 p.m., one of the students who created tree ornaments will be selected to be "conductor-for-a-night" at the Columbia's Dec. 2 Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra holiday concert.        Following the Columbia party, participants can continue to tune up their holiday spirits by joining in the “Celebration of the Lights,” which begins at 5 p.m. at Southeastern’s Pottle Performance Circle.  President Randy Moffett will ceremonially light campus decorations, and activities will include music by the Community Music School Select Vocal Ensemble, refreshments, and candy for youngsters, distributed by Southeastern's lion mascot Roomie, Lionettes and cheerleaders.        As “admission” to the Celebration of Lights, voluntary donations will be collected for the Hurricane Katrina relief funds recently established by the Southeastern Development Foundation to provide financial support to members of the Southeastern family affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.        For additional information, contact the Columbia Theatre, 985-543-4366, or Southeastern Public Information, 985-549-2341.