REDLANDS>> Bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles will greet attendees at this year’s Redlands Symphony Gala in Orton Center on Saturday, June 3.
Cocktails, appetizers and a silent auction will begin the evening at 5:30 PM under the big tent adjacent to Orton. Dinner and the Dancing with the Stars Showcase follows, with a live auction and more dancing. Black tie is optional. Tickets for the event are $125 per person or $150 per person for seating immediately adjacent to the dance floor.
This year’s dancing stars include science guy, Chris Cain, long-time Redlands resident; Dave McMahon, local banker; Ted Ortiz, dentist, mother and Redlands Symphony board member; Penny Peng, sportswoman and community volunteer; Patty Peoples, local teacher and Renee Rojanaroj, entertainer.
“The Redlands Symphony has had a banner year with the arrival of Maestro Ransom Wilson – who will be attending the Gala - and the move into our new offices in downtown Redlands,” said Gala Chair, Mary Carruthers. “This year’s Gala will be a celebration of all we’ve accomplished; a big party that borrows the best from the era of Lawrence Welk, with all the colorful costumes, music, dancing and bubbles – lots and lots of bubbles.”
People who volunteer to be part of the Dancing with the Stars Showcase are coupled with professional dancers from either the Fox Dance Center or the Arthur Murray Studio and provided with a series of lessons. Each dancer performs with their partner on Gala night.
Dancers are also out raising money by asking people to vote for them; $1 per vote. The dancer with the most votes by the end of Gala night, wins the coveted mirror-ball trophy. Last year the dancers raised more than $30,000. All the dancer proceeds go toward underwriting the symphony’s annual season of concerts and its music education programs for kids.
“This is our eighth class of local volunteer who signed up to help raise money for Redlands Symphony,” Carruthers said. “We are so lucky to have this dedicated group of people out in the community representing the Symphony and raising money.”