Orlando Philharmonic and Plaza Live To Host “Party at The Plaza” Benefit January 25

Event will feature 5 stages of live music, food stations, silent auction, dancing and more.

Photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/orlandophilorch/sets/72157637356404655/

(December 20, 2013, Orlando, FL) – On Saturday, January 25, the Orlando Philharmonic and the Plaza Live Theatre will present their first joint fundraising event, “Party at the Plaza,” from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at The Plaza Live (425 N. Bumby Ave, Orlando). The party features headliner Michael Andrew & The Atomic Big Band, with 14 additional musical acts ranging from classical to opera, jazz, bluegrass, funk, rock n’ roll and more. Food stations, silent auction, photo booth, beer and wine bar are also included. Tickets are $95, $150 for VIP. orlandophil.org/Party or 407-896-6700 x236. All proceeds benefit the orchestra and The Plaza Live.

Orlando Philharmonic Executive Director David Schillhammer says he hopes Party at The Plaza will become an annual event.

“The event will celebrate the diversity of live music for which the  Philharmonic and The Plaza are so well known,” he said. “Guests will have the opportunity to create a personalized musical evening, sampling all kinds of music, from classical to rock, and everything in-between.”

This year’s musical roster includes chamber performances by musicians of the Orlando Philharmonic, Flat Mountain Band, the Olga Ferroni Jazz Trio, teenage rock band Strange Culture, well-known Orlando jam band FunkUs, classical pianist Dottie Clendenin, jazz duo Wes & Evan Hamrick, country duo JUNOsmile, opera soprano Samantha Barnes Daniel, Orlando Philharmonic Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois, and others.

Food vendors include Arthur’s Catering, Chick-fil-A, Hawkers Asian Street Fare, Meiner’s Catering & Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que (Alafaya Trail), Sprinkles Custom Cakes and Rosen Shingle Creek/Rosen Hotels & Resorts.

Schillhammer says the Philharmonic hopes the accessible ticket price of $95 (compared to previous “gala” events at $250) will invite music lovers of all types to come support the Philharmonic and The Plaza.

Party at The Plaza is sponsored by Walt Disney World Resort, The Bryce L. West Foundation, Certified Financial Group, Inc., Lowdnes Drosdick Doster Kantor & Reed, P.A., Orkin Pest Control, Orlando Health, Orlando Magic, Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell, P.A., Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Weekly and PhotoMingle.

***

Now in its 21st season, the Orlando Philharmonic is Central Florida’s resident professional orchestra, comprised of talented musicians recruited from around the world. The Philharmonic inspires audiences with over 125 musical experiences annually, ranging from classical and chamber music concerts to pops performances, staged opera productions, outdoor concerts and education programs for all ages. Committed to building a sustainable future for classical music, the Philharmonic currently has a budget of $3.6 million, holds an endowment of $4 million, and has maintained a balanced budget every year of its existence. Learn more at www.orlandophil.org | @OrlandoPhilOrch | Facebook.com/OrlandoPhilOrch

The Plaza Live was originally built as Orlando’s first multi-screen movie theatre in 1963. After years of passing between owners, it was given new life in the late 2000s when it was transformed into a concert venue.  The Plaza Live currently hosts more than 135 rock, jazz, comedy, and contemporary music events annually, selling over 65,000 tickets per year. In 2010, it was ranked by Pollstar as one of the Top 100 Worldwide Club Venues. www.PlazaLiveOrlando.com | @PlazaLiveOrl | Facebook.com/ThePlazaTheatre

***