Napa Valley Opera House Announces Annual Fund-Raising Gala 'Shaken, Not Stirred' Held 10/3

On Saturday, October 3, 2009, a luxurious Pink Pavilion will serve as the backdrop for a night to remember, which features a performance by Pink Martini, a band hailed by The New York Times as "shaking and stirring a polyrhythmic, one-world cocktail." A martini and wine bar, magnum auction, gourmet dinner, spectacular live auction, and exciting performance comprise this year's annual black-tie gala benefiting the Napa Valley Opera House.

The live auction will feature items including once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities: a guided photographic adventure of Cuba, a health spa week in Canyon Ranch, a hands-on glass blowing experience (complete with cocktails with internationally acclaimed artist Dale Chihuly) in Seattle and a guided fly fishing adventure in Jackson Hole. Other items featured include a private dinner with award-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch, a winery dinner prepared by a world-class Napa Valley chef followed by a guided star-gazing outing, and a unique stock market introductory experience for a special child in your life.

Event Chairs and Committee
Chair: Usha Burns
Honorary Co-Chairs: Margrit Biever Mondavi and Bill Kieschnick
Honorary Committee: Lauren and Bob Ackerman, Thomas Bartlett, Moira Johnston Block and
Lee Block, Mary and Bill Dodd, Mark Farley, Valerie and Jeff Gargiulo, Kathryn and Craig Hall
Pepper and Michael Jackson, Lisa Klairmont and Harold Kleiderman, Mary Ann and Don McComber
Sandra and David Norwitt, Leslie Rudd, Evalyn and Bob Trinchero, Congressman Mike Thompson
Anita and Ron Wornick.

"Pink Martini is like a romantic Hollywood musical of the 1940s or 50s - but with a global perspective which is modern," says founder and artistic director Thomas M. Lauderdale. "We bring melodies and rhythms from different parts of the world together to create something which is new and beautiful."

The Portland, Oregon-based ‘little orchestra' was founded in 1994 by Lauderdale, a Harvard graduate and classically trained pianist, to play political fundraisers for progressive causes such as civil rights, the environment, affordable housing and public broadcasting. In the years following Pink Martini grew from four musicians to its current twelve, and has gone on to perform its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Canada and the United States.

The ensemble made its European debut at the Cannes Film Festival and its orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony in 1998 under the direction of Norman Leyden. Pink Martini has since performed with symphony orchestras across the country including four night nights with the Boston Pops in 2005, multiple concerts with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in 2000, two nights with the Los Angeles Philharmonic on a co-bill with Sergio Mendes in 2002 and two nights headlining with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2005. Other prestigious appearances include the grand opening of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's new Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, with return sold-out engagements for New Year's Eve 2003 and 2004; the opening party of the New York Museum of Modern Art, the Kennedy Center and the William Morris Agency's 100th birthday celebration with soul legend, Al Green.

Pink Martini's debut album, "Sympathique," was released independently in 1997 on the band's own label Heinz Records (named after Lauderdale's dog) and quickly became an international phenomenon, garnering the group nominations for "Song of the Year" and "Best New Artist" in France's Victoires de la Musique Awards. Seven long years later the high-anticipated follow-up, "Hang on Little Tomato," was released and climbed to #1 on Amazon.com's best sellers list.

The Napa Valley Opera House is located in the heart of downtown Napa. A national historic landmark originally constructed in 1879, NVOH celebrates its 130th of opening in 2010. NVOH restored its intimate second-floor, 480-seat Margrit Biever Mondavi Theatre in 2002 after 30 years of planning. Patrons experience an eclectic array of performing arts including theatre, dance, comedy, jazz, blues, world music, and family programming in a world-class setting. Memberships to the Opera House provide opportunities for advance ticketing to performances and special events (including exciting drop-in performers), exclusive discounts at local restaurants and hotels, drink tickets for the Café Theatre and much more. Please visit NVOH.org/membership for more information about becoming a member and supporting this important historic, non-profit theatre.

Tickets available online at www.NVOH.org/gala or by calling (707) 226-7372.

Price: $350: Dinner and performance by Pink Martini; 
$750: Dinner and performance with preferred seating; 
$1,250: Dinner and performance with premier seating

NOTE: A limited number of performance-only seats will be made available on September 3 at $65 through the NVOH box office.

 

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