From the Director’s Chair
Scenes From a (multi) Cultural Life
For at least thirty years, one of the main topics of conversation among us has been "Diversity," an idea that often sails under the flag of "Multiculturalism." Many moons past, we started by talking about how to "create diversity," (as though we could!) and have progressed finally to the point at which we talk about how to "celebrate" it. But the lesson of my own life tells me that Diversity is simply the state of grace in which we Americans live.
Past Events

Act Two Guild Fundraising and Fashion Event to be a Royal Affair

Indian Community Eastside Gala Raises $125,000 For Tateuchi Center

Tateuchi Center Joins Medina Days Fun as Concert In The Park Sponsor

PACE Guild Event, Silhouettes of Style 2010—Talk of the Town, Raises More Than $100,000

Act One Guild’s Sixth Annual Candlelight Dinner Raises Thousands for PACE

“Vintage-chic Band” Pink Martini to Perform at 2009 Candlelight Dinner to Benefit PACE

“Vintage-chic Band” Pink Martini to Perform at 2009 Candlelight Dinner to Benefit PACE


CONTACTS:
Linda Bonomi, Tateuchi Center
425.462.0092  |  lbonomi@tateuchicenter.org

BELLEVUE, Wash. (June 30, 2009)—Pink Martini, the twelve-piece ensemble described by The New York Times as “a vintage-chic band” based in Portland, Ore., will perform at the annual Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) Candlelight Dinner fundraising gala on November 7, 2009.

The 2009 Candlelight Dinner—A Toast to PACE: An Evening With Pink Martini is presented by the Act One Guild, a group of more than 40 women who have dedicated themselves to raising community awareness and support for the future performing arts center in downtown Bellevue.

The Guild’s sixth annual event will be held in the new Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, which, when expansion is completed in summer 2009, will be the third-largest ballroom space in the Puget Sound region. “PACE is pleased that the Act One Guild is able to move the Candlelight Dinner to this grand and contemporary space, which will provide the opportunity for attendance to grow over the next few years to more than 1,000 guests,” said Linda Bonomi, director of development for PACE.

Co-Chairs for the event are Act One Guild founding members Sue Sherwood of Mercer Island, Melanie Bruch of Bellevue, and Nancy Walker of Sammamish. “These three amazing women have been instrumental in the overall success of Guild efforts on behalf of PACE,” said Trish Carpenter, president of the Act One Guild. “This is an exciting time for them to take a leadership role in the production of the 2009 Candlelight Dinner, with the focus of the event transitioning from an arts auction to showcasing the performing arts,” continued Carpenter. “As we get closer to the groundbreaking and eventual debut of PACE, incorporating internationally-recognized performers such as Pink Martini into our dinners is a logical next step. It’s a wonderful way for us to preview some of the future performances one might enjoy at PACE.”

“Pink Martini is like a romantic Hollywood musical of the 1940s or 50s—but with a global perspective which is modern,” states Founder and Artistic Director Thomas M. Lauderdale on the band’s website (www.pinkmartini.com). “We bring melodies and rhythms from different parts of the world together to create something which is new and beautiful.”

“I’m delighted that Pink Martini was eager to add our Candlelight Dinner to their busy international touring schedule,” said John Haynes, PACE executive director and CEO. “Their artistic vision so closely matches our own that I thought they were the perfect choice to be our first major artist for this annual event. Pink Martini’s music is timeless, ageless, lush, and oh-so-danceable. When you close your eyes and listen, it could be 1935 in Paris, 1943 in New York, or last week in Rio. Their appeal is as diverse as our community and as much fun as a world cruise.

This year, funds to benefit PACE will be raised through underwriting and table sponsorships, ticket sales, and a Raise-The-Paddle to fund a special need. There are several ways to be involved; both underwriting and table sponsorships are now available. Contact Christina Greene, development associate for guilds and special events, for more information at 425.462.0099 or visit www.actoneguild.org.

About Pink Martini
Founded by classically-trained pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale in 1994, the Portland, Oregon-based “little orchestra” has performed its eclectic repertoire on concert stages throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, including Carnegie Hall and the Walt Disney Concert Hall during its grand opening celebration. The band’s fresh sound—a blend of golden-era Hollywood melodies, multilingual lyrics, and diverse rhythm patterns—is achieved through its masterful use of a wild array of instruments interwoven with the intoxicating lilts of lead vocalist China Forbes. The internationally-acclaimed ensemble has three albums to its credit, including Amazon No. 1 bestseller “Hang On Little Tomato.”

About Performing Arts Center Eastside
With a 2000-seat concert hall and a 250-seat cabaret-style performance space, Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) will bring renowned musicians, dancers, actors, and entertainers to Puget Sound audiences. Its mission is to enrich cultural life with a wide diversity of live entertainment, arts, and education. PACE will stimulate the arts region-wide, attract new audiences, heighten arts awareness and education, provide a performance home for select area arts organizations, and serve as a cultural center for the Eastside. PACE will be located in downtown Bellevue on the corner of NE 10th Street and 106th Avenue NE. The Campaign For PACE has raised nearly $32 million to date.