Sinfonia Gulf Coast Launches Crescendo! at Hilton Sandestin Feb 18

Do you hear that? Sinfonia Gulf Coast is again making sound waves as it continues to redefine the symphony experience with the launch of an exciting new fundraising endeavor called Crescendo!, a cultural and culinary extravaganza.

This spirited inaugural event is set for Friday, Feb. 16 (vintner dinners) and Sunday, Feb. 18 (main event). Tickets for Crescendo! are now on sale. For more information or to purchase tickets for Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s Crescendo events, visit www.sinfoniagulfcoast.orgor call(850) 460-8800.

On Friday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. Crescendo! (formerly Wine Women & Shoes) will begin with a series of carefully curated Vintner Dinners hosted in elegant homes and venues throughout the Emerald Coast, which pair the talents of local and regional “celebrity” chefs with some of the country’s most acclaimed vineyards for a delicious evening of food and wine. Among the participating vintners are Mario Perelli Minetti, Aloft by Mondavi, Blackbird Vineyards, Calluna Vineyards, Charles Krug Winery, Dunstan Wines, Sanglier Cellars and Tournesol. Vintner Dinner tickets are $275 per person and include all food, wine and gratuities. Go to sinfoniagulfcoast.org for a list of the Vintner Dinner venues.

This year’s inaugural main event is themed “an Audrey Hepburn-inspired affair” and is set for Sunday, Feb. 18 at 11:30 a.m. in the Coastal Ballroom at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach. This energy-infused event experience will celebrate the cultural and culinary arts by showcasing world-class vintners, expert spirit purveyors, amazing auction items and an award-winning musical guest. Enjoy reserved table seating, hors d'oeuvres, a full, seated lunch and an all-inclusive afternoon of incredible fun.

A highlight of the main event is a live cabaret performance by special musical guest Nicholas Rodriguez, an award-winning actor (played Nick Chavez on ABC’s One Live to Live) who appeared in Sex and the City 2, on Broadway, off-Broadway and in international tours of musicals and most recently starred opposite Kathleen Turner in Mother Courage and her Children at the Arena Stage in Washington D.C.

One of the most-anticipated moments will be the live auction of high-end lots of reserve wine, artful excursions, luxury travel trips and more.

Guests of Crescendo! also can enter to win a Paris Boutique Shopping Experience, which includes a five-night stay for two at the elegant, 5-star Renaissance Paris Le Par Trocadero Hotel, located near the Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower and the Paris Congress Center; a private, guided shopping tour, an exclusive wine pairing dinner at O’Chateau Wine Bar & Restaurant (located just a stroll from the Louvre!) and more.

An homage to all things Audrey Hepburn, guests will be treated to a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”-themed closet brimming with “Tiffany boxes” filled with delightful prizes ($50 minimum value); along with photo booths, beauty bars and other fanciful fun celebrating Ms. Hepburn’s classic cinematic turns in “My Fair Lady,” “Funny Face,” Sabrina,” “Roman Holiday” and more.
 
Tickets to Crescendo! 2018 are $100 per person and include all food, wine, reserved table seating and valet parking. Tables of 10 may be reserved by calling (850) 460-8800.

By definition crescendo is a noun that refers to an increase in loudness within a piece of music. It also is a verb that means an elevated level of intensity.

“I’m thrilled with the name we landed on for this event, because not only does it fully embrace the spirit of the event experience we were trying to capture, but it also is an apt description of what we are endeavoring to do with our music outreach efforts,” said Demetrius Fuller, music and artistic director for Sinfonia Gulf Coast.

Follow Sinfonia Gulf Coast on Facebook for exciting updates, photos and event announcements.

This year’s inaugural main event is presented by Dr. Michael Stickler of Dermatology Specialists of Florida/Aqua Medical Spa.

Crescendo! replaces Wine Women & Shoes and going forward will be Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s signature annual fundraising event. Proceeds from Crescendo! will benefit Sinfonia and its music education programs, which include: musicians/guest artists in schools, free orchestra concerts, bus transportation for students, Sinfonia Youth Orchestra program, Arts in Medicine initiative with Sacred Heart Hospital and LINK UP concerts for third through fifth graders in partnership with Carnegie Hall.

Crescendo! 2018 events are made possible by the generous support of local businesses including the following co-presenting sponsors: Dermatology Specialists of Florida/Aqua Medical Spa, Krueger, Fosdyck & Associates of Merrill Lynch, The Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa and Visit South Walton.

For more information on how you can join Sinfonia’s team of volunteers, contact Elaine Tucker at (850) 460-8800 and etucker@sinfoniagulfcoast.org.

Sinfonia Gulf Coast was founded in 2005 on Florida’s Northwest Gulf Coast with the mission of redefining the symphony experience. Under the guidance of founder and Music Director Demetrius Fuller and a dedicated board of directors, the nonprofit orchestra is in its 12th season of innovative musical programming, designed to entertain, educate and inspire the community. Since its founding, Sinfonia Gulf Coast has presented more than 475 concerts and events, has collaborated with numerous nonprofits and businesses throughout the community and has reached more than 100,000 children through its Sinfonia Guest Artists in the Schools program/music education outreach initiatives. For more information on Sinfonia Gulf Coast, visit SinfoniaGulfCoast.org, call (850) 460-8800 or e-mail info@sinfoniagulfcoast.org.