KRAVIS CENTER MAJOR SUPPORTERS ENJOY DINNER IN THEIR HONOR
More than 250 guests celebrate Kravis Center’s cultural achievements
(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) Recently, more than 250 of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ major donors attended a special evening in honor of the Center’s Founders and Grand Benefactors, Benefactors, Grand Sponsors, Sponsors and Patron Members of the Dress Circle.
In her welcoming remarks, Judith Mitchell, CEO of the Center, thanked the room full of loyal supporters, noting that many have supported the Kravis Center since the very beginning, witnessing its growing influence on the cultural community. She continued by saying, “It may be self-evident that your financial investment enables us to balance the budget, as donors who give at the $10,000 level and above, fund 63 percent of our annual campaign goal of $4.8 million. Yet, equally important, but perhaps not so obvious, is how valuable the investment of your time is to the Center’s growth and vitality. By giving your time and making the gracious effort to introduce and bring new patrons and donors to the Center you ensure that we will be here for future audiences and artists.”
The evening began with a cocktail reception in the Harris Pre-Function Hall, followed by dinner in the Cohen Pavilion’s Gimelstob Ballroom, prepared by Catering by the Breakers at the Kravis Center. The room was beautifully decorated by Xquisite Events with pops of pink, and centerpieces were displayed in oversized martini glasses – a hint at what was to come. While enjoying dinner, guests heard more about the Center’s significance from Jane Mitchell, current board chair.
“We are now in our 22nd season, and the Kravis Center is truly a celebrated cultural icon in our community, by presenting world-class entertainment with something for everyone to enjoy. As we embark on the next chapter of the Center’s history, we have the opportunity to preserve the cultural icon that so many have worked hard to build.”
Ms. Mitchell continued by thanking Board Members in attendance, including immediate past chair William Meyer, Michael Bracci, Barbara Golden, John Jenkins, Mark Levy, Ted Mandes, Monika Preston, Laurie Silvers and Lee Wolf; and Life Trustees Judy Goodman and John Howard. In addition, she expressed her sincere gratitude to Northern Trust for its generous sponsorship of the evening’s dinner, which it has sponsored for 18 consecutive years; and Alec and Sheila Engelstein and Zelda and Allen Mason for their sponsorship of the evening’s performance, Pink Martini.
Featuring 10 – 12 talented musicians under the direction of pianist Thomas Lauderdale, the multicultural band, Pink Martini, took the stage in Dreyfoos Hall following the dinner and wowed the crowd with its unique repertoire of classical, jazz and pop. They were joined by The von Trapps, actual grand-children of Captain and Maria von Trapp, made famous by the 1965 film, The Sound of Music.
Centrally located in West Palm Beach, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is one of the premier performing arts centers in the Southeast with a renowned national and international reputation. Established as a leading force in the social fabric of the community, its many outreach programs are as broad and varied as the community itself. To date, the Center has opened the door to the performing arts for approximately 2 million school children.
For general information about the Kravis Center, please visit the Center’s official website kravis.org or call the box office at (561) 832-7469.