Artist Series Concerts Of Sarasota’s Annual Fundraising Gala
“Hooray for Hollywood”
February 25 • Michael’s On East
Noted baritone Jason Stearns joins forces with vocalist Amy Connours, pianists Lee Dougherty Ross and Joseph Holt, the Qol Quartet, the Tony Castellano, Jr. Trio, and dancers from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio for an evening of swinging sounds, inspired sips and sups, and lively auctions. Proceeds from the event benefit the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s scholarship and outreach programs.
(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s annual gala, “Hooray for Hollywood,” is Wednesday, February 25, 6 p.m., at Michael’s On East Ballroom, 1212 East Avenue, Sarasota. The event, produced by the Friends, the volunteer organization of Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, features baritone Jason Stearns, vocalist Amy Connours, pianists Lee Dougherty Ross and Joseph Holt, the Tony Castellano, Jr. Trio, and the Qol Quartet, a Sarasota-based quartet of professional singers, performing beloved music from movies and favorites from the Great American Songbook. The event, which is co-chaired by Mary Cook and Yvonne Sultan, also includes a live auction helmed by guest auctioneer Michael Klauber. Gala proceeds will benefit the organization’s scholarship and outreach programs. Tickets are $160 and can be purchased by calling 941-306-1202. For more information about this event or the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2014-2015 season, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org or call 941-306-1202.
“We’re very excited about this year’s event,” says John Fischer, executive director of Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota. “It will be an evening of inspired music, dance and dining. But as wonderful as the night will be for all of us, we never forget why we’re doing it—to raise much-needed funds for our scholarship and outreach programs. One of the primary goals of Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota is to take an active role in building the next generation of professional musicians by providing support to promising young musicians. In the past decade we’ve raised nearly $200,000 for 60 gifted young musicians. Our focus is the future. This gala makes that future possible.”
Jason Stearns has steadily built a reputation as a distinguished interpreter of the most unique and challenging roles in the dramatic baritone repertoire. Stearns has made impressive appearances with the Metropolitan Opera, where he has performed in such major operas as “Tosca,” “The Flying Dutchman,” “Simon Boccanegra,” “La Fanciulla del West,” “La Gioconda” and “Rigoletto.” A 21-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Stearns was a featured soloist with the United States Army Band in Washington, D.C., in both the Army Chorus and Army Chorale, where he entertained presidents and heads of state from around the world. Stearns has performed internationally in operas, Broadway shows, revues and concerts. He was awarded a Grammy in 1996 for the recording of his baritone solos in the National Symphony Orchestra’s performance of John Corigliano’s “First Symphony,” with Leonard Slatkin conducting.
Since 1996, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota has presented an ever-expanding annual season of concerts by globally renowned and celebrated emerging artists. The 2014-2015 season runs through May 2015 and includes six concerts in its “Classical Recital Series,” four concerts in its “Pop Series,” and three special concerts. Three “Lunch, Look and Listen” events are also scheduled. For more information about the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2014-2015 season, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org or call 941-306-1202.
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota was formed in 1996 as the Artist Series of Sarasota. The group is a non-profit corporation based in Sarasota, FL, that prides itself on presenting several major national and international varieties of concert, opera, orchestral, Broadway and film performances throughout their season. The majority of the performances are staged at the restored Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling.
