WAC Fundraising Event

“VIVA! Feel the Passion – A Taste of Tango and Temptations,” the Westport Arts Center’s premier fundraising event to be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011, is a South American celebration to support the organization’s year-round programming. 

The benefit will feature Argentinean-born Latin Grammy Award-winning pianist Pablo Ziegler who artfully blends classic tango rhythms with jazz improvisations. He will be joined by fellow Latin Grammy Award-winning jazz flautist, Nestor Torres, and world-class tango dancers.

With almost 600 guests expected to attend, ticket sales begin on Tuesday, February 8.  Concert-only tickets for the fundraiser start at $200.  After Party tickets are available for an additional $75 with the purchase of a Tiered performance ticket, or are included in the top-tier levels of $500 and $750.  Tickets can be purchased exclusively through the Westport Country Playhouse box office, at (203) 227-4177 or www.westportplayhouse.org.

"This year's benefit is unlike anything we've done before,” shared Nancy Gault, the organization’s First Vice President. “It's a celebration of several different arts—music, dance, food and wine—combined to create one incredible evening. What a perfect way for the Westport Arts Center to fund its own multi-faceted arts programming," she said.

In addition to a live auction and community spotlight, the 2011 event will honor Joyce Thompson for her dedication to the Westport Arts Center with over 29 years of service, and Cindy and John Vaccaro for the generous gifts of time, talent, and resources that have enriched the Westport Arts Center and the greater community.

Friend and co-worker Elizabeth Strick describes Joyce, “She is a good listener, steadfast and dedicated, and as a member of the board and executive committee, she continues to support and promote the arts in our community. We are so fortunate to have Joyce—a wonderful and generous woman.”

Ann Sheffer and Bill Scheffler, co-workers and friends of John and Cindy, offered a personal tribute: “Separately and together, Cindy and John have been so generous with their talents and time in supporting the arts in our community, and their interests and warmth have helped enlist many others to join them in that support—plus we’ve had a lot of fun.”

The gala is chaired by Diane Parrish and Dale Najarian, with Richard Epstein serving as the Talent/Concept Chair. Committee members include Stacie Curran, Deanna Foster, Jodi Felton, Nancy Gault, Pam LaRocca, Laura Maged, Diana McCabe, Ellen McNees, Eileen O’Brien, Deidre Price, Joe Pucci, Carol Schneider, Ann Sheffer, and Gloria Stashower.
The funds raised from the event will support the diverse, high-quality visual and performing arts programs that reach more than 11,000 people annually, including 4,000 school-aged children. VIVA is generously sponsored in part by Fairfield County Bank, Westport Resources, Bank of America, Steve Parrish Consulting Group, LLC, Bernstein Global Wealth Management, The Betty R. and Ralph Sheffer Foundation, Galaxy Family Resources, LLC, Land Rover Milford, Main Street Resources/Green Village Initiative and Media Sponsor Moffly Media.

To purchase tickets for VIVA, call Westport Country Playhouse at 203-222-4177 or visit the website at www.westportplayhouse.org.  Playhouse box office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Tickets available online 24 hours a day.

The Westport Arts Center is a visual and performing arts organization dedicated to creating arts experiences that enrich the lives of area residents and the entire community. For more information, contact Westport Arts Center at 203-222-7070 or go to the website at www.westportartscenter.org. Gallery hours are M-F, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun. from noon to 4 p.m., at 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport.