This month Interkom Youth and Community Center Shanghai present ACE 2010, an 'Arts Charity Extravaganza'. Now in its third year, the fashion/visual arts/music showcase is run entirely by students. Linda Zhang, a Shanghai High School International Division student who's helping to organize ACE, gives us the low down on the fundraising event. 

So what's ACE all about?

There's so much that ACE is about! Our main goal is to touch the lives of those less fortunate through arts, music, fashion and charity by uniting high school students in Shanghai to cooperate in a joint effort to help others. But in the process, we also work to acquire organization, leadership and teamwork skills, develop long-lasting friendships, and just have fun.

Which do you have lined up for this year?

For our fashion show, we're still in the process for designer clothing sponsorships, but if all goes well, we'll have American Apparel, Chloe Chen, Juicy Couture, and Burberry.

This year, we've also set a limit of 50 pieces of artwork to be displayed, to ensure that only the best artwork reaches the eyes of the attendees (of course, I'm sure that the artworks not displayed are just as brilliant).

As for performances, we're trying to get a wide range to highlight skills in all areas. Our goal is to get dancers, singers, jazz/rock bands, instrumentals, beat boxers, maybe even someone who can do spoken word!

And which charity did you choose this year? What does it mean to you?

In ACE's first year, we chose the Starfish Orphanage and sponsored baby Emily's gastrointestinal surgery, and last year we helped fund the creation of the Shanghai Healing Home.

Now, in ACE’s third year, we have moved from helping orphans to helping older children through the Charles Foundation, in which ACE will sponsor two students through high school.

What does this charity mean to you?

Well, we are all aware of the importance of education for success in today's society, and I believe that everyone should get an equal chance to success. Being someone who enjoys school – especially the part where I learn new things, meet new people, and make new friends – I hope others will be able to have through this wonderful experience too. Besides, why not share the wonderful experiences of tests, all-nighters, and more tests with others?!

And tell us about the craziest thing that you’ve planned this year for ACE?

Hm, this is a good question. Maybe it's the Coach purse in the raffle, or the awesome food served (we have 11 stations!), or maybe a special performance by the whole ACE crew! I guess you'll just have to find out during the event…

Sounds like a lot of fun… but there must have been some challenges, right? Any meltdowns so far?

Communication is by far the biggest challenge that we are still working to overcome. As most of the members of our team are from different schools all over Shanghai, it is really hard to get everyone together on the same page. Thankfully, we haven't had any meltdowns so far; we're only melting down with excitement in anticipation of the amazing ACE show to come!

Tickets can be purchased at participating high schools or at the Community Center.
1pm-4.30pm. 30 January. LifeStyle Centre Jumen Site Event Hall, 436 Jumen Lu, Luwan District. Tel: 3382 1170