The Annual Symphony Ball & Auction will be held for the first time on the stage at the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 23, 2016. The spring event for the organization is the primary fundraiser that brings symphonic and chamber music to the community and music education within the San Luis Obispo County school districts. The ball and auction’s stellar theme “A Night Among the Stars,” features elegant dining, fabulous local wines, enticing auction items and spirited dancing with Burning James and the Funky Flames. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a champagne reception where guests can mingle and bid on silent auction items and sign up for Parties with a Purpose, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and a live auction of unique items. Cost is $150 per person and $1200 for a table of eight. Seating is limited and tickets can be purchased at SLOSymphony.org. Online sales close April 12. After April 12, if available, tickets can be purchased by calling (805) 543-3533.
“The Symphony Ball is THE fundraiser for the Symphony,” San Luis Obispo General Manager Francie Levy said. “Our guests are our stars as their patronage brings exciting classical music, special guest virtuoso artists, and special concerts to our community. It also supports our orchestra, music education programs that continue to grow and administrative staff that organizes every event.”
One of the unique fundraisers featured at the ball and auction is “Parties with a Purpose.” Donated by generous, fun-loving fans of the Symphony, these one-of-a-kind events can be purchased and are a great way to party with your friends and support the Symphony all at the same time. “Parties with a Purpose” can be found here. Parties include a Soiree by the Sea with Sweets and Strings, a Point San Luis Lighthouse Tour with John Lindsey, a Progressive gourmet dinner with music and many more. Live auction items include a private helicopter tour and wine tasting at Victor Hugo winery, an exotic car tour, a table for 10 at the Paso Pops concert July 2, a weekend Yosemite cabin get-away and many more.
The San Luis Obispo Symphony was established in 1954 by a small group of 11 musicians called the Morro Bay Community Orchestra. The SLO Symphony was incorporated in 1961 and, in its 55-year history, has grown significantly to become a leading arts institution in the community with 70 orchestra members, a large Youth Symphony program with five ensembles and a music education program that has five school-based programs that have taught more than 16,000 youth in it 50-year tenure. For further information, please visit slosymphony.org.