Artist Series Concerts Of Sarasota Announces Its 2016 Fundraising Gala
“The Roaring Twenties”
February 11, 2016 • Michael’s On East
Artist Series Concerts’ annual fundraiser celebrates the organization’s 20th anniversary with a lively evening of swinging jazz age music, inspired cocktails and cuisine, and a live auction. Proceeds from the event benefit the Artist Series Concerts’ scholarship and community outreach programs.
(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s annual fundraiser gala, “The Roaring Twenties,” is Thursday, February 11, 2016, 6 p.m., at Michael’s On East Ballroom, 1212 East Avenue, Sarasota. The event, produced by the Artist Series Concerts Friends, the volunteer arm of Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, will feature live musical performances by the Bill Buchman Trio, the My Three Sons barbershop quartet, mezzo-soprano Amy Connours, baritone Jason Stearns, and pianist Joseph Holt, plus cocktails, dinner, a souvenir photo booth, a live auction of travel and entertainment packages, and gourmet “speakeasy baskets.” Proceeds from the gala, which is co-chaired by Antonette Cunningham and Karen Iezzi, will benefit Artist Series Concerts’ National Competition for Young Artists and other outreach programs. Tickets are $160. For more information about this event or to request a mailed invitation, call 941-306-1202.
“We’re very excited about this year’s event,” says Olivia Swaan, president of Artist Series Concerts Friends.
“Artist Series Concerts has been a vital part of the region’s arts and cultural landscape for 20 years,” says Swaan. “What better way to celebrate this legacy than with an evening saluting the Roaring Twenties? As entertaining as the evening will be, we never forget the reason behind it—to raise funds for our student scholarship and outreach programs. One of the primary goals of Artist Series Concerts is to take an ever more active role in building the next generation of professional musicians. In the past decade we’ve raised nearly $250,000 for 66 gifted young musicians. Our focus is the future and this gala makes that future possible.”
Swaan, a harpist originally from Dublin, Ireland, enjoyed an extensive performing career, touring extensively throughout Europe and the U.S. before moving to Sarasota, where she quickly became involved with Artist Series Concerts. “I am thrilled and honored to have been chosen to lead the Artist Series Concerts Friends, especially at such a significant moment in the organization’s history,” she says.
Swaan adds that the Friends have other fundraisers planned for the season. Those include a “La Triviata,” an evening of musical trivia, Italian wine and cuisine, January 7, 5:30 p.m., at Unity Church of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Road, Sarasota. Reservations are $45 and are available by calling 941-306-1202. For sports lovers, the third annual “Tennis Bash” features social tennis, food, and music, January 30, 1-4 p.m., at The Meadows Country Club, 3101 Longmeadow, Sarasota. For more information and to register for the tournament, call 941-306-1202.
Since 1996, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota has presented an ever-expanding annual season of concerts by globally renowned and celebrated emerging artists. The 2015-2016 season runs through May 2016 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. This season, Artist Series Concerts also launches its first annual national scholarship competition for voice with over $20,000 in prize monies as well as a new local student competition, presented in partnership with the Sarasota Music Club, with $20,000 in prize monies. For more information about the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2015-2016 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.
