29th Season Gala
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Brazilian Rhythms:
Gussie Stewart and Greg Young, Gala Co-Chairs |
On Friday, October 24th, friends of San Francisco Performances (SFP) celebrated its 29th Season with the Brazilian themed fundraising gala, Brazilian Rhythms atop the 32nd floor of the Westin St. Francis Hotel. The festive evening raised over $130,000 to support SFP’s award-winning education programs.
As a special twist on SFP’s usual annual event, gala goers got an intimate glimpse into just what the Arts Education Programs are all about --- Luciana Souza and Peter and Zoltán Katona, San Francisco Performances’ Jazz Artist-in-Residence and Guitar Artists-in-Residence, were the featured performers of the evening.
Samba dance troupe, Brasarte got the evening off to a lively start as they danced their way through the crowd, leading guests from the reception to the dinner. During the dinner Peter and Zoltán Katona performed, joining them were guitar students from Westlake Middle School in Oakland.
A spirited auction followed with guests bidding on items like a round of golf with soprano Barbara Bonney, martinis with SFP Music Historian Robert Greenberg, an inhouse concert with the Alexander String Quartet, and a private tasting at Ridge Winery with winemaker and CEO Paul Draper. The evening concluded with a performance by Brazilian jazz singer Luciana Souza, accompanied by guitarist Romero Lubambo. Gala Chairs were Gussie Stewart and Greg Young. SFP extends its thanks to the many corporate supporters who helped make the evening a success.
29th season Gala Photographs

| Alan Silverman & Trustee LaVerne Silverman |
Larissa Roesch, Trustee Tom Beischer & Grace Voorhis |

| Students from Westlake Middle School performing with Peter & Zoltán Katona |
Westlake Middle School teacher Randy Porter & Trustee Kathy Hymes |

| Neil Gurnes, Martha Russell, Jerry Rosenstein & Trustee Judy Harding |
George Smith & Trustee Camilla Smith |

| President Ruth Felt, Gala Co-Chair Greg Young & Gala Co-Chair Gussie Stewart |
BrasArte samba dancers | Chairman of the Board Fred Levin & Nancy Livingston |
Previous Years’ Season Galas


