Nashville Symphony’s Sixth Annual Spirits of Summer: Live Music and Craft Cocktail Competition
Popular fundraising event to feature notable mixologists from trendy restaurants and bars paired with music performed by the Nashville Symphony on Thursday, June 27
Nashville, Tenn. (May 22, 2024) – Spirits of Summer, a widely popular fundraising event supporting the Nashville Symphony, will take place at Schermerhorn Symphony Center Thursday, June 27. Blending the experience of a live orchestra performance and a cocktail competition, the curated concert event pairs musical works with creatively crafted cocktails designed by notable Nashville mixologists. The event is presented annually by Crescendo Club, the Nashville Symphony’s young professional organization. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit nashvillesymphony.org/sos.
Following the theme “Symphonic Nights,” guests will be transported to the charming streets of Havana as VIP attendees kick off the evening in El Salón Havana Lounge, complete with a cigar rolling station, open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and live Cuban music. During the main event, Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez will lead the performance of four curated musical selections as each mixologist presents their cocktail. The audience will experience a journey of all the senses, enjoying signature cocktails and delicious Cuban bites paired with exquisite music, while comparing tasting notes with friends between each “round.” At the end of the night, the audience will vote for their favorite music and cocktail pairing, with the winning mixologist taking home the Symphony’s Spirits of Summer award. After the concert, guests are invited to mix and mingle with the mixologists and Nashville Symphony musicians.
This year’s event is chaired by Samantha Breske Magee and Keeley Locke. Spirits of Summer began in 2017 to raise awareness of and funds for the Nashville Symphony among Nashville’s young professional community.
“Spirits of Summer has been one of my favorite events since I joined the Associate Board in 2019, and I’m honored to serve as co-chair this year. Curating a multi-sensory event pairing extraordinary music and creative cocktails is such a unique and fun way to experience the Nashville Symphony,” said Samantha Breske Magee. “Every year I’m excited to see how many new faces are in attendance to support the Nashville Symphony, and I believe this year will be our best yet. ‘Symphonic Nights’ has been such a treat to plan, and I can’t wait to see it come to life!”
Featured mixologists include Samuel Bathanti (Goodtimes Full Service Bar), Jeremiah Blake (Pullman Standard), Chi-Anne Reynolds (Cherries), and Woody Woods (Chopper), with award presentation by 2023 Spirits of Summer Craft Cocktail Award Winner Ryan Barrentine (The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club). The musical program includes an exciting range of compositions including works by George Gershwin, Gabriella Ortiz, Johnny Richards, Richard Strauss, and Jeff Tyzik performed by the Nashville Symphony.
“I’m thrilled to co-chair this year’s Spirits of Summer, an event that seamlessly combines my family’s devotion to the art of craft spirits with our love of Nashville’s Symphony Orchestra. This year’s Havana-inspired event is set to be the most spectacular to date,” said Keeley Locke. “It’s been an honor and privilege to co-chair with Samantha Breske and collaborate with the Nashville Symphony team. I hope to see many new and familiar faces as we enjoy an immersive experience with delicious cocktails and spectacular music conducted by the charismatic Enrico Lopez-Yañez.”
Spirits of Summer is supported by Title Sponsor BLVD Capital; Gold Sponsors Bourbon Belles & Whiskey Women, Akerman, Nissan, Advance Financial, Ingram Charities, and Calm and Collected Music Group; Bronze Sponsor JAMS; Photography Sponsor Kathy Thomas; Bronze Sponsor JAMS; Wine and Spirits Partner Ajax Turner; Photography Sponsor Kathy Thomas; and In-Kind Sponsors Actual Foods, Gibson Gives, and Leiper’s Fork Distillery. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Nashville Symphony, whose mission is to inspire and engage a diverse and growing community with extraordinary live orchestral music experiences. Event tickets are on sale at a starting price of $75.
About The Crescendo Club: The Crescendo Club is a dynamic group of Nashville-area young professionals ages 21-40 who share a love of music and a desire to support the Nashville Symphony’s artistic and educational mission. Join Crescendo Club to network, enjoy amazing performances at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and get special, behind-the-scenes access to Music City’s biggest band, the Nashville Symphony.
About the Nashville Symphony: The Nashville Symphony has been the primary ambassador for classical music in Music City since 1946. Led by Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, the ensemble is internationally acclaimed for its focus on contemporary American orchestral music through collaborations with composers including Jennifer Higdon, Terry Riley, Joan Tower, and Aaron Jay Kernis; commissioning and recording projects with Nashville-based artists including Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Ben Folds and Victor Wooten; and for its 14 GRAMMY® Awards and 27 nominations. In addition to its classical season, the orchestra performs concerts in a wide range of genres, from pops to live-to-film movie scores, family-focused presentations, holiday events, jazz and cabaret evenings and is the official orchestra for the Nashville Ballet.
An established leader in Nashville and regional arts and cultural communities, the Symphony spearheads groundbreaking community partnerships and initiatives serving thousands of citizens throughout Middle Tennessee. Notable programs include Music in My Neighborhood, Young Peoples Concerts, and the Accelerando program, which provides professional performance, educational, and career opportunities for students from underrepresented ethnicities in American orchestras. Find more at nashvillesymphony.org/education.
The Nashville Symphony is a nonprofit organization. In addition to support from Metro Arts and Tennessee Arts Commission, Nashville Symphony is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP5534 awarded to the State of Tennessee by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Nashville Symphony is also supported in part by an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support general operating expenses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about the Nashville Symphony and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, please visit nashvillesymphony.org.
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