The Appell Center for the Performing Arts will host a celebration of local arts and talent on Thursday, Aug. 25, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. as part of York Arts Week in downtown York. "SightLines: An All-Access Pass to Downtown York Stages" is an open house experience offering opportunities to visit the Appell Center's performance and gathering spaces for activities. Admission is free.

Activities in the Strand Theatre will begin with a Community Happy Hour at 4:30 p.m. in the lobby, which will include live music by Marrisa Porter. Food will be available. Those who register in advance will receive one free drink ticket.

Lavon Holland will lead a 40-minute dance class for people of all levels of ability on the stage of the Strand Theatre at 5 p.m. A performance by the Temple Guard at 5:45 p.m. will be followed by the Strand Sing-Off at 6 p.m. This community singing competition for people 25 and younger will offer a cash prize. The event will be hosted by CoCo Shantelle.

In the Capitol Theatre, The Ship Photography Premiere will take place at 6 p.m. Attendees may stroll through a celebratory reveal of the combined efforts of four local photographers, 10 creative leaders, and 20 contributing apprentices brought together by Older & Wiser Co. This event is an invitation to exclusively preview four unique playing card concepts executed by aspiring artists in the community.

The 16-minute narrative film "Grrrl Justice" will premiere at 7 p.m. in the Capitol Theatre. Afterward, attendees may join Crystal Perry, human advocacy trafficking coordinator with the YWCA, and Teasia Gray, youth counselor with the York County Youth Development Center, for a conversation tying the film's topics to initiatives in York.

A special preview of Creative York's Youth Art Exhibition will be held in the Studio from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibition is a display of over 70 works of visual art from local youths.

York Arts Week is a weeklong citywide event celebrating the cultural richness of York's creative community. Organized by local businesses and organizations, the inaugural York Arts Week began on Aug. 20 and will continue through Saturday, Aug. 27, with more than 35 different performances, exhibits, workshops, concerts, tours, and other events taking place at more than 25 venues throughout York city. A complete list of the events planned can be found at http://www.yorkartsweek.com.

More information about activities at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts is available at https://appellcenter.org.