{"id":55054,"date":"2022-12-06T11:56:07","date_gmt":"2022-12-06T19:56:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=55054"},"modified":"2022-12-06T11:56:07","modified_gmt":"2022-12-06T19:56:07","slug":"segerstroms-48th-annual-candlelight-concert-raised-3-1-million-to-benefit-nonprofit-artistic-education-and-community-initiatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=55054","title":{"rendered":"Segerstrom’s 48th Annual Candlelight Concert Raised $3.1 MILLION to Benefit Nonprofit Artistic, Education and Community Initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"

COSTA MESA, CA<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0Guests of the 48th<\/sup>\u00a0annual Candlelight Concert transcended away to the city that never sleeps for a night of 1980\u2019s New York elegance on Friday, December 2, for the premier charity gala of Orange County. Guests arrived at an immersive replica of America\u2019s most beloved Central Park. The elevator lobby was transformed into a luminous garden, with luscious greenery and dim lighting to give an outdoor feel. The angularity of the Fire Bird art installation was used to represent the myriad of angles that comprise the Brooklyn Bridge, transforming the terrace into a geometric celebration of the New York skyline. The stage sparkled with a large Brooklyn Bridge. Guests filled the halls with laughter, and enjoyed live entertainment and rich Italian cuisine, while they celebrated in the big apple ambiance. The tabletops were decorated with a variety of white floral mercury cut glass and, bud vases accented with dark green leaves. The evening provided critical funds to benefit Segerstrom Center for the Arts\u2019 nonprofit initiatives==from world-class artistic programming to signature Education and Community Engagement programs like Studio D: Arts School for All Abilities, American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School, and ArtsTeach. The funds also support new endeavors such as commissions, productions, and world premieres. Along with the celebrating, laughing, and dancing, the Center was able to raise\u00a0$3.1 million\u00a0for its nonprofit initiatives.<\/p>\n

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Remarks were given by Segerstrom Center for the Arts President,\u00a0Casey Reitz<\/strong>, Chairwoman of the Board\u00a0Jane Fujishige Yada<\/strong>, and 2022 Candlelight Concert Chair\u00a0John E. Stratman, Jr<\/strong>. High praise was lauded to all donors for their gracious support and fundraising. Guests had a special surprise when celebrity chef for the evening’s dinner, Giada di Laurentis, made her way on stage and said a few remarks.<\/p>\n

Chairwoman of the Board, Jane Fujishige Yada shared \u201cCandlelight has been a longtime tradition at the Center, even before we opened our doors. A tradition meant to celebrate the importance of the performing arts to our audiences, students, artists, and the entire Orange County community.\u201d She also thanked the entire Board of Directors of Segerstrom Center for the Arts and gave heartfelt recognition and appreciation to top sponsors and contributors including The Argyros Family Foundation, Elizabeth Segerstrom, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Britt and Bob Meyer, Sally Segerstrom, Jane and Jim Driscoll, Kaiser Permanente, and Moti and Idit Ferder with Presenting Jewelry Sponsor, Lugano Diamonds.<\/p>\n

John E. Stratman shared \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0truly been an honor to chair this 48th\u00a0Candlelight Concert.\u201d He thanked everyone for sharing in the success and announced $3.1 million was raised in support of the Center.<\/p>\n

Guests were entertained with an 80\u2019s pop music whirlwind. The Brooklyn-born, Grammy, Emmy and Tony winning superstar Cyndi Lauper was the headliner of the evening. Casey Reitz, President for Segerstrom Center for the Arts shared \u201cCyndi is the perfect artist to celebrate the Center and our commitment to Broadway. Cyndi is passionate about Broadway. Her musical\u00a0KINKY BOOTS<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0won 6 Tony Awards, including her Best Original Score and Best Musical. It ran for\u00a06 years<\/strong>\u00a0for over\u00a02,500<\/strong>\u00a0performances on Broadway and also appeared on this\u00a0very stage<\/strong>\u00a0in Segerstrom Hall twice in 2014 and 2018.\u201d\u00a0Lauper gave an electrifying performance like no other and stunned guests while performing some of her most iconic pop hits including \u201cTime After Time\u201d, \u201cTrue Colors\u201d and \u201cGirls Just Want to Have Fun\u201d. The concert was exciting and warmly received by the audience who gave Lauper a standing ovation through the encore songs. Following Lauper, guests continued to celebrate with a Studio 54 themed dance party with legendary southern California radio, television, and film personality DJ Richard Blade. Guests danced the night away as he spun the 1 and 2\u2019s rocking some wave music and electronica.<\/p>\n

As guests danced the night away, New York-style pizza and Giada\u2019s cookies were enjoyed as late-night bites. In the Valet Lounge, guests enjoyed New York espressos as their night cap to their evening amongst the city lights. Gifts by Presenting Jewelry Sponsor, Lugano Diamonds, were shared.<\/p>\n

The highly regarded Chef and Emmy award-winning television personality, Giada De Laurentis, provided the cuisine for the evening. Giada De Laurentis is a very successful restaurateur with restaurants GIADA and Pronto by Giada in Las Vegas, both regarded for offering a divine dining experience. On this special night, she curated a decadent arrangement of Italian plates.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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