LA Children's Chorus gala benefit April 30

Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC) pulls out all the stops to honor four celebrated luminaries and arts patrons for their tremendous artistic and philanthropic contributions at its aptly named benefit, Starry Night, on Friday, April 30, 2010, 6:30 p.m., at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

The honorees include internationally acclaimed opera star Suzanna Guzmán, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock and beloved arts volunteers and patrons Stuart and Rebecca Bowne.

Proceeds benefit LACC's outstanding artistic and music education programs.

Guzmán - acclaimed for her silky mezzo-soprano, described as “a riveting presence” and “tough but passionate, capricious but utterly self-assured” by the Boston Herald and noted for her commitment to arts education and serving as a mentor to young singers - appeared in LACC's premiere production of the opera Keepers of the Night and has also worked with the choir on numerous LA Opera productions. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock has produced three documentaries about LACC, including the Academy Award-nominated Sing!, which tells the story about LACC becoming, according to Esa-Pekka Salonen, the best children's chorus he has ever heard, Sing Opera!, chronicling the making of LACC's world-premiere opera Keepers of the Night, and Sing China!, which documents LACC's first tour to China, just weeks before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Also being feted are beloved arts patrons and dedicated arts volunteers Stuart and Rebecca Bowne, who have provided invaluable leadership and support to LACC, LA Opera, the Opera League of Los Angeles, the Pasadena Conservatory, A Noise Within, and many other Southland arts organizations.

“These four extraordinary people have long championed Los Angeles Children's Chorus,” said David Scheidemantle, chair of LACC's Board of Directors. “We are extremely grateful to them for their major artistic, volunteer and philanthropic contributions, which have helped shape the choir on innumerable levels and raise its stature immeasurably. It is a pleasure to recognize them publicly for their unwavering support of LACC.”

The benefit features a festive wine reception with passed hors d'oeuvres, a three-course gourmet dinner created by the Biltmore's acclaimed Executive Chef Franco De Dominicis, and a musical tribute to the honorees by LACC Concert Choir, new Emerging Voices choir and renowned “surprise” guest vocalists.

In addition, a live auction includes a number of fabulous one-of-a-kind items such as a “couture” package boasting a design by Kevan Hall - who was hailed by the Los Angeles Times for his “quietly elegant draped eveningwear…every detail perfectly measured” and dresses such celebrities as Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Marcia Cross, Tara Reid and Vanessa Williams - as well as a pair of custom made shoes by celebrated LA shoe designer Wendy Holden, who was recently recognized in Los Angeles Magazine's “hand made” issue. Also up for auction are an LA cultural extravaganza with premium tickets to some of the city's hottest events, and a sports package that features, among other elements, a photo shoot at a child's sporting or performance event by Andrew Bernstein, the official photographer for the NBA.

Starry Night co-chairs are Alma Aroustamian, Annie Yeager Higgins, Katherine Kavich, Jennifer Harris Sliskovich and Andrea Greene Willard.

Tickets to Starry Night are $175 per person. Table sponsorships are also available. The Millenium Biltmore Hotel is located at 506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. For tickets and information, please call (626) 793-4231 or visit www.lachildrenschorus.org.