The Concert & the Encore
Country-western prevailed for the second Concert and Encore gala to support the Phoenix Symphony. The more than 2,200 people at the concert portion in Symphony Hall enjoyed a stellar entertainment lineup: The smooth vocals of Grammy Award winner Kenny Rogers, musical talents from Valley Youth Theatre and cameos of student ensembles from Arizona School for the Arts – including a woodwind quintet, glee choir and guitar ensemble – and, of course, the Phoenix Symphony.
For the encore, 500 guests, dressed in their choice of Cowboy Chic or cocktail attire, walked the red carpet from Symphony Hall to Phoenix Convention Center, where they listened to the music of the Optimystics and danced to the band Affinity. Aventura prepared the dinner, which was served at tables beautifully designed by Avant-Garde. Towering vases held three colors of orange roses, green hanging amaranthus and orange alstroemeria.
Nan and C.A. Howlett, Phoenix Symphony board president, returned as chairs of this second-year event.