CRESCENDO! 2023

Exquisite cuisine, award-winning wines and live piano create an unforgettable fine dining experience. Reserve your table at the Emerald Coast’s only AAA Four Diamond steakhouse.

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Both Located in Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa 4000 Sandestin Blvd. South • Miramar Beach, FL 32550

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WELCOME TO SINFONIA GULF COAST CRESCENDO

Thank YOU, our many patrons, sponsors and community collaborators. Sinfonia would not be what or where it is today without your support!

Our annual Crescendo! extravaganza celebrating musical and culinary arts returns in February 2023 to benefit Sinfonia’s music education and community engagement initiatives throughout Northwest Florida.

How YOU can help: Did you know that ticket sales only cover a small percentage of Sinfonia’s annual operating costs? Your tax-deductible contribution will enable Sinfonia to continue to provide great music and educational outreach to our community.

We look forward to seeing you this season! In the meantime, send me your own note if you have any questions or comments or just want to say hello! dfuller@sinfoniagulfcoast.org

Musically yours,

Demetrius Fuller

Music & Artistic Director

Our region’s ONLY fully-professional symphony orchestra

2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THANK YOU TO OUR TREBLE MAKERS

Aleta Jefferson

Alexa Castle

Barry Johnson

Betty White

Callie Anderson

Candis Wilson

Cara Jones

Connie Yarbro

Dana Armentor

Debra Henry

Dee Sakach

Denise Kendust

Diane Neuman

Elaine Tucker

Gail Murray

Gale Culling

Glenda Palmore

Heather Parrish

Heavenly Dawson

Janice Hendricks

Janis Bishop

Jennifer Howard

Joan Carter

Jovette Mosing

Leta Dehon

Lynn Dugas

Lynn McKenzie

Lynn Shearer

Malpa Fuller

Marisol Gullo

Mary Delaunois

Mary Higdom

Maureen Gamble

Micah McGuire

Muriel Dollar

Nancy Francis

Nicole Rogers

Pam Burge

Pamela Wellborn

Pat Williams

Patti Burcham

Peggy Stephen

Penny Jackson

Renee Beaman

Renee Krul

Rose Ann Fiorita

Shannon Amos

Shantelle Dedicke

Shawn Springfield

Shawn Tomasello

Stephanie Brannon

Susan Burch

Tanika O’Brien

Teresa Bolton

Tina Corr

Traci McQuillen

Velia Lala

YOUR SUPPORT IS INSTRUMENTAL TO OUR SUCCESS!

As a Treble Maker, your contribution will enable Sinfonia Gulf Coast to continue to perform some of its more important music music for our children. Since 2007, Sinfonia has impacted more than 185,000 school children in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.

YOUR $575 CONTRIBUTION INCLUDES:

1 ticket to Crescendo! Kick Off Lunch 2024 at Bijoux Restaurant + Spirits ($150 Value)

1 ticket to Crescendo! Main Event 2024 ($195 Value)

Early VIP entrance to Crescendo! Main Event

Special invitation to JIMMY CHOO 2023 event

Special recognition at all Crescendo! events

Exclusive VIP invitation to experience LINK UP 2023 student concert on March 8, 2023

Knowing that you helped provide music education programs to over 3,500+ children in Okaloosa and Walton Counties this year!

To make a donation to become a Treble Maker, simply contact info@sinfoniagulfcoast.org.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CRESCENDO

Crescendo! is an exciting cultural extravaganza to benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast, its music education and community engagement initiatives throughout Northwest Florida. Known for producing the highest caliber concerts and events along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sinfonia “redefines” charitable events with this energy-infused experience that celebrates the cultural and culinary arts by showcasing world-class vintners, “celebrity chefs,” expert spirit purveyors, amazing auction items, and award-winning musical guests.

What does CRESCENDO! support?

Link Up Program in conjunction with Carnegie Hall

Paint the Music for 3rd-8th graders in Okaloosa and Walton Counties

Live orchestra performances for students

Concert attendance and bus transportation is always provided free of charge to schools and students

Sinfonietta Strings and Sinfonia Youth Orchestra

Musicians in Schools

Guest Artists in Schools

Impacted more than 180,000 school children since 2006

Questions? Interested in being a Volunteer or Sponsor for next year’s event? Contact:

Beth Clavier

850.460.8800

bclavier@sinfoniagulfcoast.org

Cheers to our 2023 Crescendo Vintners

Friday, Feb. 24 | 6 PM

host: Amy & Joe Scherzinger with Jenna & Stephen Akers

Vintner: Darioush | Jodie McKenzie

Winery Representative

Acquiring a wine bar in 2004 began a journey in wine that was unplanned and unexpected for Jodie MacKenzie. In an attempt to learn the trade, classes were attended. Classes turned into a 3 to 4 year-journey of obsessive, serious study, culminating in a level 3 Sommelier diploma and certification.

By 2010, weary of the challenges the recession brought to luxury markets, MacKenzie set her sights on the domestic holy grail of wine, Napa, California. Taking a leap of faith, (again), she restructured, (again), her life from global, multi-brand concentration to working with focused, single winery brands. She has been with the luxury brand Darioush as Private Client Manager for over 8 years and has created a unique and successful niche in the highly competitive and complicated world of winery sales and marketing focused on high net-worth clients.

Chef: Dan Vargo, Chef/Owner | Fine Coastal Cuisine

With more than 25 years of culinary experience, Chef Dan Vargo’s signature “relaxed fine-dining” style comes from working in 5-Diamond and 4 & 5-Star restaurants and resorts in Florida, Maryland, and Ireland. Working at the executive-level at two Ritz-Carlton resorts, The Boathouse (Martha’s Vineyard), and most recently at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa has been an honor and a pleasure.

Chef Dan enjoys bringing the luxury of the “Chef’s Table” to the comfort of your own home with his new personal chef business, Fine Coastal Cuisine.

Friday, Feb. 24 | 6 PM

host: Stephanie & George Brannon – Churchill Oaks Clubhouse

Vintner: The Lerner Project | Stuart Lerner, Proprietor

As a major wood pallet vendor to Napa Valley and Sonoma County for more than four decades, Stu Lerner enjoyed a career as an important player in the wine industry supply chain. His connections with wineries such as Silver Oaks and Robert Mondavi, including the iconic Opus One, put him in the unique position of being both a purveyor and a collector. Once retired from his successful business in 2014, Lerner’s attention shifted in a different, but related, direction. In the process of amassing a collection of some of the most sought-after wines ever produced in Napa Valley, his wife, Karen, recalls him saying many times that if he ever made a wine, it wood have to be something he’s always want to buy himself. It’s hard, demanding work — the opposite of retirement. But, being a hands-on kind of guy, he wouldn’t change anything about the artisan nature of Lerner Project.

Chef: Frank Szymanksi, Chef/Owner | Bluefin

Chef Frank Szymanski, grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast surrounded by a family that loved both cooking and fishing. At the age of 14, Frank began washing dishes in a local restaurant, but never imagined that he would make a career out of the culinary arts. While in school, he studied marine biology as he was fascinated by the water. His passion for marine biology coupled with his love of cooking led him to pursue cooking as a profession and he set off for culinary school at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina. During his years there, Szymanski worked at Mimosa Grill in Charlotte and apprenticed at Peristyle Restaurant in New Orleans.

Friday, Feb. 24 | 6 PM

host: Elizabeth & Jared Boswell with Shawn & Richard Tomasello – Kelly Plantation Owner’s Club

Vintner: The Vines | Michael Polenske, Proprietor

Michael Polenske turned his attention to “the business of leisure” with the acquisition of Blackbird Vineyards in 2003 and the creation of an ultra-premium wine label of the same name. Blackbird Vineyards is the cornerstone of the Bespoke Collection. The Bespoke Collection is currently comprised of three highly regarded wine projects: Blackbird Vineyards, ÆRENA Wines and Recuerdo Wines. Bespoke Collection has created private label wines for musicians Martina McBride, The Foo Fighters and The Killers, to name a few, and for global brands such as Salesforce, Lyft and Morton’s Steakhouse. In addition to wine, Bespoke Collection includes ÆRENA Galleries & Gardens which has five gallery locations and five sculpture gardens throughout Napa and Sonoma representing fine artists from around the world curated with an inventory of Antiques and Objet imported mainly form Europe. The flagship location is RiverHouse in downtown Napa, located on the historic riverfront.

Chef: Jude Tauzin, Executive Chef | Tony Chachere

Chef Jude Tauzin grew up in Opelousas, La., watching his mother and grandmothers cook, always trying to lend a helping hand. He landed his first restaurant job as a cook under Chef Marty Cosgrove at Oakbourne Country Club in Lafayette in 1990; it was there that he decided to turn his childhood passion into a culinary career.

He left Louisiana in 1992 to attend Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, S.C., graduating in Culinary Arts. He returned to his hometown and went to work for Tony Chachere’s Creole Foods, testing recipes for the Second Helping cookbook. Tauzin later accepted the Sous Chef position at Charley G’s in Lafayette, before moving to Atlanta to help open Comeaux’s Louisiana Bar & Grill as Executive Chef.

In 1997, he returned to Lafayette to become Executive Chef at Oakbourne Country Club. He’s also worked with Rockfish Grill in Dallas and in Houston, Lafayette’s Restaurant and Le Triomphe Country Club. In January 2007, he took over Catahoula’s restaurant in Grand Coteau and a year later was voted one of five “Chefs to Watch” by Louisiana Cookin’ magazine.

Friday, Feb. 24 | 6 PM

host: Lynn McKenzie and Leonard Olson – Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood

Vintner: Arietta | Sara Hitchcock

Winery Representative

Born in LaJolla, California, and raised in the beach towns of San Luis Obispo County, Sara Hitchcock attended college at UC Santa Barbara and Humboldt State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology. After graduation, against the backdrop of the rugged sea and redwood trees of the Northern California coast, she completed a term of AmeriCorps service, working with disadvantaged and at-risk youth.

Hitchcock returned home to the Central Coast to obtain her master’s degree at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. During this time, her affinity for wine developed into a full-blown passion. A short while after graduation she relocated to Napa Valley to take a job in hospitality at sparkling wine producer Mumm Napa in 2009. Hitchcock’s experience and professional and social networks subsequently led her to roles in sales, marketing, hospitality and business development with Boisset Family Estates, Hunnicutt, Alpha Omega, and Outpost Wines, during which time she also completed the WSET’s rigorous Advanced level program. After a decade of being a fan of the wines, she joined the Frias team in May 2021 as Director of Sales & Marketing.

Chef: Fleetwood Covington, Executive Chef Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood

As the executive sous chef for Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, Fleetwood Covington directs food preparation and collaborates with the culinary team to produce high quality plates, showcasing design and taste. Chef Fleetwood started at Hilton Sandestin in 2017, where he trained under the leadership of renowned chefs that came from fine dining backgrounds in the intimate setting of Seagar’s, Hilton Sandestin’s signature fine dining restaurant.

Founded in 1998, Seagar’s is a renowned New York-style steakhouse and one of the finest dining destinations on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Extolled for an award-winning 600-label wine list, original fresh seafood dishes, and the finest Prime USDA steaks, Seagar’s is a salute to the good life.

Friday, Feb. 24 | 6 PM

host: Dana & Glenn Armentor – Bijoux Restaurant + Spirits

Vintner: Perus Wines | Katya Perez

Winery Representative

Katya Perez has been working with PerUs for five years and has hosted over 250 PerUs wine events since her start at the company. She began her journey with wine at a young age but professionally at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, working with the beverage director to host wine tastings for large charity functions and galas ranging from 1 to 5000 attendees. Perez has a deep love for Napa, winemaking and telling the story of PerUs. Perez leads the global sales efforts, marketing strategy, digital marketing, client relations, event planning and strategic partnerships for PerUs and is excited to host this Vintner Dinner for such a wonderful cause.

Chef: Jack McGuckin, Chef/Owner | Bijoux Restaurant + Spirits

Chef Jack McGuckin began his career at age 15 in the fabled Bechac’s restaurant on New Orleans’ Northshore learning every aspect of the kitchen and developing a deep love and curiosity for Creole Cuisine. McGuckin’s philosophy is to keep the cooking simple, to let the natural quality of the products shine. He considers himself blessed to be surrounded by such an abundance of fresh Gulf seafood minutes from the back door of the restaurant.

Chef Jack and his staff also work with many local farmers and regional artisanal producers who deliver amazing products daily. Chef Jack and Bijoux have garnered numerous awards in the past twenty years, including being named for six consecutive years as one of Florida’s Golden Spoon recipients. Jack and his wife, Leslie, own Bijoux and on many days their three children can be spotted helping prep for the night’s service.

The latest in women’s fashion, beauty, home decor, lifestyle, and health.

TOP 10 REASONS TO CRESCENDO

Cre·scen·do (/krəˈSHenˌdō/)

Even the name is full of fun! It’s such an exciting word — it’s a noun, adverb, adjective and verb.

The chic artwork by international fashion illustrator Lindsey Kate tells us Crescendo! 2023 is going to be a bold, hold-on-to-your hatsladies-and-gents, affair to remember.

The venue. The event will be held at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, so it is sure to be a swank soiree. You had us at “ballroom.”

We’re starved! With the excitement of this extravaganza, we’ve already worked up quite an appetite. We love a proper Sunday luncheon served at linen clothed tables set with candles and creative decor. Delish!

Gathering with gal pals and gents. The perfect way to shake off the winter blues and usher in spring with the sizzle of Crescendo!

We love a themed party! This year’s theme is “Ebony & Ivory Ball.” Whether you want to go black with a touch of cream or white with a hint black — any variation on the elegant theme of Crescendo noir (en blanc) will do.

Sinfonia Gulf Coast is presenting this event … that means … live entertainment! Get ready for LA’s sensational crooner Sergio Vellatti! With his commanding voice and timeless aura, Sergio brings back the class and charm of the Big Band Era delivering well-known standards from the American Songbook with a youthful effortlessness and wit that makes each interpretation authentic and new.

Party prizes! The raffle, the silent auction of art, wine, jewels, excursions and more, plus the live auction of curated A-list travel getaways, you couldn’t possibly plan yourself. Win-win!

Treble Makers! As a member of the Treble Makers, you’re considered a VIP at Crescendo. Your $575 contribution will enable Sinfonia to continue to perform music with 3,500 elementary students throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties.

Local kids! Proceeds from Crescendo! 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 Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast and Link Up.

Hancock Whitney Bank, Member FDIC.

THANK YOU TO OUR

Crescendo! Presenting Sponsors

Main Event Presenting Sponsor

Grand Cru Sponsors

CARA & RODNEY JONES

2023 CRESCENDO SPONSORS

Sommelier Sponsors

Vintner Dinners

Presenting Sponsors

Kick Off Lunch

Presenting Sponsors

VIP Sponsors

Prosecco Sponsor

MEET CRESCENDO FEATURED ARTIST LINDSEY KATE CHANGING THE WORLD ONE ILLUSTRATION AT A TIME

By Zandra Wolfgram

International fashion illustrator

Lindsey Kate is bringing her classic, elegant creative vibe to Crescendo! 2023!

Raised in rural Illinois, the 32-yearold artist is now based in South Florida, some of her renowned clients include Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Escada, Ted Baker London, LoveShackFancy, Alice + Olivia, Four Seasons Hotel & Spa, Bloomingdale’s, Dillard’s, Nordstrom, Hugo Boss, Nic + Zoe, Le Chateau, LaCroix, L’Oréal and many others. Her work has been published in a variety of magazines and even on the cover of a book about fashion.

Constantly exploring new techniques and media, this whimsical illustrator tailors the style of every project to fit the unique need of each client. Always aiming to capture the elegance, beauty and confidence of the human form in her creations, Lindsey Kate finds inspiration within historic illustration, nature and modern art. Part of her success is having a clear understanding of color theory, textiles, construction, fit and concept design, which allows her to effectively illustrate technically accurate designs as well as representative creative fashion figures.

Passionate about bridal illustrations and creative work for publications and advertisements, she loves the range of applications her art has found and enjoys creating projects for personal shoppers, stylists, online retailers, pattern makers, as well as fashion and accessory designers.

We spoke with effervescent Lindsey Kate at her home in DeLand, Florida, to get to know Crescendo! 2023’s guest artist and here are highlights of our conversation.

What sparked your interest in art?

LK: Since I was young, I have always been drawing. I was always drawing dresses. So I had that passion and definitely followed it. Throughout high school I took all the advanced art classes I could and went to Columbia College Chicago and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion design and art history.

What specifically about fashion inspired you?

LK: How day to day you can express your

personality through fashion by being creative and artistic. It’s dramatic and fun and I just love that each designer has their own style and vibe and that everybody can express themselves differently every day through fashion.

The theme for Crescendo! 2023 is Ebony & Ivory ball — so chic black and white, which and you helping us bring it to life through your gorgeous illustrations. As a fashion illustrator can you share some tips on how people might

think about channeling the theme?

LK: I would say there’s so many ways you could go with that. My advice would be to just express yourself and make it unique with texture or embellishments because there’s so many options with black that those little details will really make you stand out.

Let’s talk about your illustrations for Crescendo! 2023. The first in the series is the Kick Off Lunch event.

LK: Yes! That one is champagne bubbles, energy, fun. The vibe is hanging out with your girls chatting, laughing in fun outfits. I just created them as I went. I tried to go for fun, unique styles that women do when they’re just being themselves out having a day with the girls.

Next is the Vintner Dinners. That is a challenging gathering event to capture.

LK: Yes, that one was unique, and I loved working with your marketing team and collaborating on how we could portray that. That was fun. There are small things like the movement of her arm or the movement of the sommelier — just those choices to create movement can suggest a mood and feeling in an illustration.

Finally, the Main Event. Please share a bit about The Couple that you illustrated.

LK: We did something new this year by introducing a male in the graphic so that people could feel welcome to come as a couple and men would feel welcome. We definitely wanted the Main Event couple to look like they’re having a good time and I tried to communicate that with their outfits. You’ll notice the feather cuff on her sleeve and the feathers along the train. And then I added a little stripe of white on each side to give her form some movement and then also, to nod to the Ebony & Ivory theme. We wanted them to evoke that the event is going to be a little bit more formal, but I also I wanted to their fashion to be kind of neutral, something that different people could identify with that’s not necessarily just one style if that makes sense.

What do you to relax in your free time?

LK: I like to paint. That’s very like calming to me. I like abstract painting on canvases and things that’s fun. I love being in nature. I love being out

on the ocean, hiking, exploring that’s probably my favorite thing to do and I find a lot of good inspiration. I have a strong passion for saving the planet and saving the oceans and I volunteer with some with organizations for that.

As an artist, why should people support the arts an organizations like Sinfonia Gulf Coast?

LK: I love the quote that’s says, ‘Earth without art is just eh.’ To me, art is a part of people’s everyday lives and supporting people that go into those fields is super important because it’s a passion and it affects everything down to the tiniest things in our daily lives….

I know that sounds like a little bit dramatic, but like those tiny little things can. It’s the creativity behind it. And that’s how I think we create changes — through creativity.

Come say hello to Lindsey Kate on February 26 at the Crescendo! Main Event. She will be drawing live illustrated portraits on site at the event. Follow her on Instagram @ lindseykateillustration and Facebook @ lindseykateillustrations.

“I think that you can make really big changes on important things through art and music. You can change the world.”

SINFONIA GULF COAST LINK UP

Students in grade 3-5 are given the opportunity to join the orchestra in this highly participatory program, in which they learn to sing and play an instrument in the classroom and perform with a professional orchestra from their seats at a culminating concert with Sinfonia Gulf Coast.

Go to SinfoniaGulfCoast.org/education to learn more about how you can support Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s music education outreach programs.

Your loved ones matter. Your community matters. Your passions matter. Florida’s largest healthcare family shows up for you and your health, so you can show up feeling your best for everything you care about. With our statewide network of specialists, we’re here for you whenever, wherever and however you need us.

CRESCENDO SPECIAL GUEST ARTIST

Sergio Vellatti, with his commanding vocal abilities, brings to life the class and charm of the Big-Band Era, delivering well-known standards with a youthful effortlessness and wit that makes each interpretation authentic and new.

Growing up in Los Angeles, the soundscapes heard in Disney theme parks and animated works captured his young imagination. With a tape recorder in hand, Sergio would devise his own elaborate narrations, involving plot, characters and music. By Junior high school he began to explore his musical interests by joining the band to play clarinet, and later switching to drums in the high school marching band. Unlike most of his peers, he gravitated toward the sounds of big band, jazz and American popular music. Fast-forward to his mid-twenties, curious to explore the boundaries of his voice, Sergio began to sing. He quickly caught the attention of some industry notables, launching him into a concentrated effort, and eventually abandoning his career in civil engineering in order to pursue this new-found passion.

Sergio has gone on to perform at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater with the Pacific Symphony, the Beverly Hills Hotel, Dolby Theatre, Cicada Club, Jonathan Club and Disneyland Resort. On tour, Sergio’s appearances have included Wynn Las Vegas, The Moana Surfrider Resort in Hawaii, and the Kravis Center and Peabody Auditorium in Florida. In public and private performances, his talents have been acknowledged by well-known names that include P!nk, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Shirley Jones, Mickey Rooney, Harrison Ford, Stevie Wonder, Bill Gates and Katy Perry.

“Crescendo guests can expect satin shoelaces and great, timeless music.”

CRESCENDO EMCEE MATT ROGERS WANTS YOU TO FEEL JOY, LAUGH MORE

By Zandra Wolfgram

Matt Rogers was 5 years old when he got his first laugh.

“I was addicted to making people laugh. I wanted to be a comedian,” he confesses.

Nearly 40 years later and this passionate, kind, and funny auctioneer/performer is still lighting up a room in hopes of making a difference.

Before this California native commanded attention on stage at gala events, he put his 6’5” frame to work as an offensive lineman for the University of Washington. After school, he used his vocal cords as a sports broadcaster covering top college teams. In 2010, he moved to California and big things began to happen, literally. He was cast as the host of the Discovery Channel’s Really Big Things, a show that spotlighted big things like a huge hydrogen partial collider in Germany. He hosted Lifetime’s Coming Home, a program reuniting military families. He made appearances on The Price is Right and Family Feud and was a finalist on American Idol. In 2021, a dream came true when the Spring Hill, Tennessee resident beat out 200 contenders to become the official “voice” of the Tennessee Titans, Rogers’ favorite home team.

“I want to people to feel joy, give more and laugh more. I’m all about making the room better,” he says.

He’s also about making his family feel better. He and his wife, Teri, have four children Brayden, 16, Mason, 14, Samantha, 8, and Brooklyn, an infant. The three youngest were born with Cystic

Fibrosis (CF), an uncurable disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs in the body. Rogers was at a 2009 fundraiser for CF when he was first asked to emcee.

“I wasn’t sure what I was doing, but I got the crowd involved, and they had a blast,” Rogers says. Clearly Rogers was doing something right. The event raised three times as much as the previous year. Soon, Make A Wish Foundation and Susan Komen Foundation were calling and Rogers’ career as a professional auctioneer was launched.

More than a decade later, Rogers has hosted more than 1,000 events including. Since 2019, after hosting Crescendo several years running, you could say he has been the voice of Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Whether hosting a TV show, announcing a football play, or auctioneering, Rogers loves to entertain.

“I love being on stage,” Rogers says. “I was always the kid trying out for the church and school plays. I was singing victory opera in my

jock strap in the locker room after the games. Though I love all music from Christian to rap, I’m not a musician. I am a performer.”

As much as he loves the spotlight, that’s not what keeps this big-hearted emcee coming back.

“I love people,” he says. “I love to show people how to have a good time. Whether you are a billionaire or have a $200 budget, you are looking for a good time — and both of you deserve all I have.”

Rogers returns to host a range of annual events from small town spaghetti suppers to A-list celebrity galas. But Sinfonia has a special place in his heart.

Rogers has traveled the world hosting events and he believes Sinfonia events are set apart.

“I am impressed with Sinfonia. The team, starting with Demetrius Fuller, is first class. How you do anything is how you do everything and the way he treats me, the orchestra kids, people at events — everyone gets first class treatment,” Rogers says.

“The Gulf Coast community is unlike any in America. It’s very special,” Rogers says. “There aren’t many Sinfonias. If you want to see the most influential people and decision makers in the Panhandle, you need to go to Sinfonia events. When you have an opportunity to be around the most influential people who are looking for what they can give versus what they can get, it’s a gamechanger. On top of that, because the most influential people are there are going to get a 5-star experience from the food to the entertainment.”

MUST PLAY PARTY GAMES

THE EBONY & IVORY ELIXIR & BLING RING

Tickets $100

Only 100 will be sold!

Each ticket gets you an Ebony & Ivory Elixir served in an illuminated martini glass, a Bling Ring and a chance to win $500 in prizes:

• $250 Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood Gift Card

• $250 Hilton Serenity by the Sea Spa Gift Card

CRESCENDO! Ebony & Ivory Elixir

2 oz Grey Goose vodka

1 oz Coffee Liqueur

1 oz Cold Brew Espresso

Combine in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously until frothy, then strain into martini glass rimmed with black sugar and top with 3 espresso beans for garnish.

BOX PULL

Tickets $50

Each box contains a $100 value or more!

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

CLOSET PROVIDED BY:

CONDITIONS OF PURCHASE & INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS

Auction Procedures

• Neither Sinfonia Gulf Coast nor Matt Rogers (“The Auctioneer”) are responsible for the accuracy of the descriptions of the auction lots contained in the catalog. The descriptions incorporate, in some instances, materials or descriptions furnished by donors. Prospective bidders should inspect lots prior to bidding and make their own judgment regarding the quality and value of such lots.

• Any trips or events comprising all or part of an auction lot shall, unless otherwise specified in the catalog description, be subject to convenient scheduling by the lot donors and the successful bidder. In addition, unless otherwise specified, purchasers of events are expected to schedule the event to occur within 12 months of the Auction. Please be aware that some trips and events are date specific and cannot be re-scheduled. Purchasers may not transfer or resell trip or event lots.

• All wine is sold on an “as-is” basis, and neither Sinfonia Gulf Coast nor The Auctioneer make any express or implied warranty or representation of any kind or nature with respect to any property included in an Auction Lot.

• The Auctioneer shall have the absolute right to withdraw any auction lot, reject any auction bid, resolve any dispute with reference to any auction lot or any bid on any auction lot at any time before the fall of the hammer. No bid is valid unless acknowledged as such by The Auctioneer.

• Any property may be withdrawn by The Auctioneers or the Sinfonia Gulf Coast at any time before the actual sale without any liability, therefore.

• The Auctioneer and Sinfonia Gulf Coast reserve the right to reject a bid from any bidder. The highest bidder acknowledged by The Auctioneer shall be the purchaser. In the event of any dispute between bidders, The Auctioneer shall have sole and final discretion either to determine the successful bidder or to re-offer and resell the item in dispute. If any dispute arises after the sale, Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s records shall be conclusive in all respects.

Auction Lot Payment

• All payments for auction lots shall be made to Sinfonia Gulf Coast, classified as a tax-exempt corporation under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Bidders may be entitled to deduct a portion of their payments for auction lots as a charitable contribution, but each bidder should consult her or his attorney or tax advisor regarding such deductibility for state or federal income tax purposes. Sinfonia Gulf Coast will provide documentation as required by law following the auction.

Splitting or Sharing Lots

• Silent lots: you must notify Annalise Dedicke (adedicke@sinfoniagulfcoast.org) of your intention to split a lot within 24 hours following the closing of the silent auctions on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023.

• Live lots: You are afforded 24 hours to determine and report the splitting of a lot to Annalise Dedicke (adedicke@sinfoniagulfcoast.org) before retaining sole responsibility for payment.

Payment

• A 3% transaction fee is added to all purchases. If you wish to pay via check, a 3% discount will be issued.

• Full payment is required prior to the removal of any lot. Sinfonia Gulf Coast accepts cash, checks, MasterCard, Discover, Visa, and American Express.

• Paying by check: If you wish to pay via check, you must notify Annalise Dedicke (adedicke@ sinfoniagulfcoast.org) within 24 hours following the closing of the auction on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Checks must be made out to Sinfonia Gulf Coast. All checks must be received by Friday, March 10, 2023 If no payment has been submitted your credit card on file will be charged.

• Paying by card: All cards will be charged by Tuesday, Feb. 28 if other payment options have not been submitted. All bidders must have a valid credit card on file in Greater Giving in order to bid.

Lot Removal and Shipment

• Successful bidders may choose, following payment, to arrange a pick-up from Sinfonia Gulf Coast offices located at 4608 Opa-Locka Lane, Suite 100, Destin, FL 32541 beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, by appointment only. No lot may be redeemed without payment.

• Sinfonia Gulf Coast will bear no responsibility for any lot, comprised of physical items, certificates or both that has been taken possession of and removed from the auction premises by the buyer or in the case of shared lots, by the principal buyer or their designee.

• Auction lots not picked up and left in the care of Sinfonia Gulf Coast revert to the nonprofit after June 30, 2023 and will be used in a manner at the sole discretion of Sinfonia Gulf Coast.

Adapted from Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. Check out their 2023 Auction Weekend event!

mattie kelly arts foundation

THURSDAY NIGHTS | APRIL 20 - JUNE 22

Annual Thursday evening concert live music series featuring family-friendly premier musicians and bands performing everything from classic rock, reggae and disco to modern pop.

April 20

April 27

May 4

May 11

May 18

May 25

June 1

June 8

June 15

June 22

Yacht Rock Revue

Sinfonia Gulf Coast feat. Morgan James

Gotta Groove Band

Adam Ezra Group

Journeyman: A Tribute to Eric Clapton

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Post Modern Jukebox

Yacht Rock Revue

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Sinfonia Gulf Coast feat. Morgan James

SCAN HERE TO BUY TICKETS

PRESENTING CONCERTS SPONSOR:

CLASSICAL CONNECTIONS

feat. Geneva Lewis, violin

Demetrius Fuller, conductor

New Zealand-born award-winning violinist Geneva Lewis to perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Concert for Violin in E minor, Op. 64 and Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 2, Op. 61.

SAT. MARCH 11

7:30 PM

DESTIN HIGH SCHOOL

BEETHOVEN V. COLDPLAY A Merging of Musical Giants

Music visionary Steve Hackman conducts this transformation of the Eroica into an oratorio weaving the melodies and lyrics of Coldplay’s Yellow, Viva La Vida and Clocks into Beethoven’s original score.

SAT. APRIL 29

7:30 PM

DESTIN-FORT WALTON BEACH CONVENTION CENTER

BOX OFFICE: SinfoniaGulfCoast.org | 850.460.8800

PRESENTING MEDIA SPONSOR:

CLASSICAL CONNECTION PRESENTING SPONSOR:

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