Great food, better music on tap

DOWNEY - Among many compelling reasons to attend the Downey Symphony's Garden Party on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 20, are the great food and the lovely setting at Dr. Walter Kelley's home and the congenial guests and the exciting stuff at auction and the champagne and the dessert table laden with goodies that are "as close to Saturday night sinnin' as you can get without you gotta be saved Sunday morning in church."And you can expect the afternoon's entertainment to be equally remarkable. Five top brass players from USC, clustered on the lawn, will keep things humming with music both popular and classical. As a spectacular bonus, Pauline Yang, the piano soloist with our orchestra last fall, will play for the guests, a performance she is donating in support of the Downey Symphony. Also during this festive afternoon, in recognition of solo artists who have appeared over the years with our orchestra, the board will introduce an award called the Circle of Stars. Along with Pauline Yang, violinist Danielle Belen and composer Robert Litton will be at the party to receive this honor. There remains the final and most important reason of all to come to this affair, and of course that is the support you generate to keep this fine orchestra alive and playing. For 52 years it has been one of the treasures of our community, and we are proud the Downey Symphony, under Music Director Sharon Lavery, prevails even in these tough economic times, bringing music to each elementary school child in the city and offering fine concerts throughout the season. You do not need an affiliation with the Symphony to come to the Garden party, but you do want to make a reservation by Sept. 11. The price of $75 covers all the delights noted above, and a portion is tax-deductible. For information, or to receive an invitation in the mail, please phone (562) 928-4122.

********** Published: September 4, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 20