Globetrotting Gambits and Glimmering Diamonds Highlight Redlands Symphony Gala

A week-long cruise down the Seine from Paris to Normandy on a deluxe Ama Waterways cruise liner, a stay in a five bedroom beachfront Villa with complete household staff in Manzanillo, Mexico, a week’s stay in the hills of Tuscany in an authentic Italian home, one of a kind custom designed diamond earrings by Paul Emerson from Emerson & Farrar Jewelers and special sporting opportunities at Staples Center and Angel Stadium were among the auctioned items at the Redlands Symphony Gala held June 6 at the University of Redlands Orton Center. “This year we had one of the best selection of auction items we’ve ever had at the Gala,” said Mary Carruthers, event chair. “There is really something for everyone’s taste.” The silent auction that proceeded the live auction and dinner included dozens of hotel stays, admission tickets to everything from race track rides to the Magic Castle, gift cards and a selection of wines representing 24 different wineries. “This is the Symphony’s major fundraising event each year,” noted Paul Ideker, the orchestra’s president & CEO. “The first Saturday in June has been ‘Gala Night’ for over 30 years and is a Redlands tradition. It’s an evening for not only raising money to support our concerts and music education programs, but it’s also a chance to enjoy a fun evening will old friends and an opportunity to make new ones.” An evening at the Redlands Symphony Gala also includes a Dancing with the Stars Showcase. This year, six local “stars” will take the dance floor with professional partners from Fox Dance Center and Arthur Murray to show off the skills they have learned after almost five months of dance lessons and practice. This year’s dancers include Shirley Harry, Joe Henehan, Toni Momberger, Bryan Reid, Art Svenson and Lara Urrutia. Dancers raise money to support the Redlands Symphony by enlisting the help of family and friends who can show their support by voting for the dancer of their choice. Each vote costs $1 and all of the proceeds from dancer votes go toward supporting the Symphony’s music education programs for local kids and the orchestra’s regular season of concerts and music education programs. Some of the funds raised at the event and by the auctions will qualify as a gift toward the $100,000 Quest Challenge Grant that must be met by August 4.