DOWNEY – The Mad Hatter is coming to town! Look for him at the Downey Symphony’s annual Garden Party on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 3-7 p.m. at the Rio Hondo Event Center. The Garden Party is the keynote fundraiser event for the Symphony’s upcoming 57th season.

Pat Gil, organizing committee chair, noted that “the Garden Party is always a fun event, but this year we decided to make it even more special by adding a theme.”

The idea of a Garden Party brought to mind hats, and that led her, she said, “to the wild and whimsical Mad Hatter tea party from ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ Everyone is encouraged to wear a hat, the more creative the better.”

Committee member Eloisa (E.J.) Ball adds, “This is your chance to show off, from top hats for men to that stunning high-fashion headgear for women” Although wearing a hat is not required, it is encouraged, and everyone who wears a hat will get a ticket for a special drawing.

The cocktail hour starts at 3 p.m., so everyone has time to look over the treasures up for auction, including four tickets to Disneyland, tickets for upcoming shows at the Downey Theatre, dinner gift cards, dinner with Music Director Sharon Lavery and a seat on stage at an orchestra rehearsal, and much more.

In addition, beautiful and unique works of art by local artists, including Terry Walker, Mike Ferguson, Carolina del Toro, and Jorge del Toro will be up for auction.

Tickets are only $65 and include a delicious three-course dinner.  Decorations will be whimsical in keeping with the theme, and there’ll be musical entertainment by USC’s Brass Quintet. For tickets, contact Eloisa Ball at (323) 304-0172, preferably before Sept. 9.

The event benefits the Downey Symphony Orchestra and its Music in the Schools Program.  Over 80% of the expenses of the Symphony come from donors and fundraising events like this one,.

The Music in the Schools program brings a full concert to all 3rd and 5th graders in Downey, and the Orchestra also sends a quintet of musicians to each of the elementary schools to introduce children to some elements of music and perform for them.

Sipping your favorite beverage while overlooking the beautiful greens of the Rio Hondo Golf Course as the sun sets is a great way to say good-bye to summer and welcome to the Symphony’s exciting new season. The first concert will be on Saturday, Oct. 11, in the Downey Civic Theatre.  Concert subscriptions are now on sale.

For full information on subscriptions, individual tickets, donations, and concert programmes, visit us at downeysymphony.org.  Tickets are also available from the Box Office at (562) 861-8211.

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Published: Aug. 28, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 20