The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera (CSO) Guild and honorary chairs, Mayor Bob and Elizabeth Corker, will present the fundraising gala, Fascinatin' Rhythm on the River 20 years and counting..., on Saturday, April 2.
Television and Broadway star Ron Raines and pianist Stewart Goodyear join the CSO Orchestra and Maestro Robert Bernhardt for an evening celebrating the CSO's 20th anniversary as a combined symphony and opera.
Highlights will include the music of George Gershwin, games of chance, cocktails, dinner and a live auction.
The program also includes a presentation honoring Mayor Bob Corker and begins at 6:15 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention and Trade Center.
Ron Raines stars on CBS's popular daytime series Guiding Light and is a two-time Emmy nominee and three-time Soap Opera Digest Award nominee for his role as Alan Spaulding. Mr. Raines is also well known to theater audiences around the country as one of America's leading musical theater performers. He has starred in such shows as Chicago, Showboat, South Pacific, Kiss Me Kate, The King and I, and Oklahoma!. In concert, Mr. Raines has appeared as soloist with over 50 symphony orchestras.
Known for imagination, a graceful style and exquisite technique, 26- year old pianist Mr. Stewart is one of the rare musicians to always improvise his cadenzas when performing concertos from the classical period, officials said. Additionally, Goodyear is a composer whose works have received continual acclaim by critics and audiences. He holds a Masters Degree from the Juilliard School of Music and also studied at the Curtis Institute of Music.
"The CSO Guild hopes that you will join us in honoring 20 years of the combined Chattanooga Symphony & Opera as well as the contribution to the visibility of the arts in Chattanooga by the Honorary Chair, Mayor Bob Corker," said Gail Chapman, CSO Guild president. "The evening promises to be exciting and fun-filled, and proceeds from the event go to the CSO with an emphasis on education projects."
Prebul Volvo for Life returns as presenting sponsor, with major support from SunTrust. Tickets are $150 per person, and corporate tables are available. For reservations, contact the CSO at (423) 267-8583 or at 630 Chestnut Street.
The CSO Guild is composed of over 150 volunteers dedicated to promoting and supporting the CSO. The annual gala is the Guild's largest fundraising event, and its proceeds support the CSO's educational and community programs.