La Dolce Vita: Highlights from the 28th Season Gala
On Friday, October 12th, San Francisco Performances kicked-off its 28th season with its annual gala fundraiser which raised over $100,000 to benefit its education programs. The Italian-themed event—La Dolce Vita—featured performances by soprano Heidi Grant Murphy, pianist/composer Jake Heggie and Quartetto Gelato at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum and Theatre.
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| Click on each thumbnail image to see the full-size photograph with caption. |
The festivities began with champagne, cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres in the theatre lobby. Guests then made their way to the Forum, which shimmered in rich hues of gold, blue and green. Everyone was greeted with a gift CD featuring the evening’s artists and dined on a delicious dinner provided by McCall Catering.
Gala Co-Chairs Victoria Bailey and Gussie Stewart welcomed guests and spoke about the importance of San Francisco Performances’ education programs, which bring internationally recognized artists—such as resident artists jazz vocalist Luciana Souza and guitarists Peter and Zoltan Katona—to community centers and schools. Later, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Frank Bailey acknowledged the evening’s sponsors and introduced San Francisco Performances President, Ruth Felt who spoke of SFP’s relationship with the evening’s artists. As the guests moved from the Forum to the Theater, they were treated to gelato bon-bons on a stick.
Quartetto Gelato delighted the audience with a program that ranged from a sprightly tango to traditional Italian folk songs. Accompanied by Jake Heggie, Heidi Grant Murphy’s repertoire included selections from musical theater, art songs by Strauss, and Heggie and the exquisite “Alleluia” from Mozart’s Exultate jubilate. For the finale, all the artists joined in on the “Drinking Song” from La Traviata.
Following the performance, attendees returned to the Forum which had been redone in vibrant tones of red and purple. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous dessert buffet featuring a gelato bar and danced to big band tunes from the 30s and 40s provided by the Starduster Orchestra. Jake Heggie and Peter DeSotto of Quartetto Gelato joined the fun.
San Francisco Performances greatly acknowledges
the work of the gala committee and the many individuals
who contributed to the success of this year’s event.
A special thank you is extended to our corporate sponsors
for their generous support.
Farella Braun + Martel LLP
Beverage Sponsors
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To see pictures of last years gala, click here
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