If you want to feel special and have a little elegant red carpet treatment here on the mountain, the Associates of Idyllwild Arts have the perfect end of summer elixir — the Jazz in the Pines Patron’s Package highlighted by the Patrons’ Dinner Dance on Friday, Aug. 24.
“It is a VIP evening, elegant and entertaining,” said Associates’ event planner Chris Maxson. “And this year we’re going green, supporting the campus sustainability plan.” Maxson also stressed this year’s focus on more involvement with the town, with the intention of bridging a perceived town and gown divide.
Fine food, including a cocktail party sampler of appetizers from Café Aroma, Creek House and the Gastrognome and dinner prepared by Idyllwild Arts Food Services Director Chris Stroud. The dinner will be highlighted by Dry Creek Vineyard’s Heritage Zinfandel, a dessert parade and table art by San Miguel de Allende artists Dan and Nisha Ferguson. Entertainment provided includes the award winning Idyllwild Arts student and alumni jazz combo and Jazz Fest featured performers Clayton Cameron and the Jass eXplosion, and jazz chanteuse Mary Stallings with her pianist and arranger Eric Reed.
Maxson thanked sponsors for their ongoing support. She noted the Associates raised additional money to fund decorations and the open bar so that funds raised though Patrons’ Packages and overall ticket sales would be used to fund Idyllwild Arts scholarships, the mission of the Associates. In 2010-2011, the 200-member Associates raised $86,000 for scholarships.
Of the overall Patrons’ Package, Maxson said, “This is the only way to come to the festival, with full concierge treatment.”
Included in the $250 per person Patrons’ package are: Friday’s cocktail party and dinner dance (golf cart drivers meet attendees at preferred parking and drive them to the cocktail party); two days of festival attendance and red carpet entry for both days; on campus preferred parking; opportunity to place blankets and chairs in Holmes Amphitheatre prior to the dinner dance on Friday evening, and a keepsake wine glass. Maxson suggests “mountain finery” as appropriate dress for the event.
This year’s theme, “Just Look at Them Now,” honors 25 Idyllwild Arts alumni who have succeeded in their artistic fields. Images of these graduates, then and now, will decorate the Patrons’ Dinner tables. See accompanying table for a full list of the honorees.
Of the 25 to be honored, John “Tully” McIntyre, ’91 Music; Seth Gelman, ’92, Interdisciplinary Arts; and Angelina Burnett, ’96, Theatre, will be at the dinner.
For more information, visit www.idyllwildjazz.com.