casa
PRESS RELEASE                                                                                          PRESS RELEASE
Press Release-For Immediate Release

Musicians donate their talent to the
"In Concert Together" Wine Tasting Event
benefiting Harmony House/CASA &
La Porte County Symphony Orchestra
 
Harmony House/CASA Program's 15th Annual Wine Tasting "In Concert Together..." will also benefit the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra. This joint fundraiser will be Friday, October 16, 2009, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. CST at the La Porte Civic Auditorium, 1001 Ridge Street, La Porte, Indiana. 
 
For an added bonus, there will be live music featuring seven different instrumental ensembles.  It is a rare opportunity to enjoy in a relaxed atmosphere, these variety of musical groups. Welcoming guests to the event will be lively clarinet trio, The Licorice Stix with Pam McNeal-Laue, Regina Smelser, and Ann Newburn. You will be able to  enjoy the varied stylings of two different string groups: Bartlett Trio with Florence Long, Isabel O'Connell, and Stan Shepard and the Northwest Indiana Chamber Strings with Florence Long, Marjorie Larson, and Stan Shepard. The Chamber Winds Woodwind Quintet is comprised of principal orchestra members Thomas Kennedy, Merry Johnson, Kathryn Brtko, JoFran Bendix, and Cindy Ault. You will enjoy the light sounds of the flutes when the Duneland Flute Trio perform with Merry Johnson, Elaine Hornyak, and Toni Day. The Silver Strings Trio with Merry Johnson, Sara Miller and Lee Meyer is a well-known group from Michigan City. Playing together especially for this event the Chamber Trio with flutist Elaine Hornyak, oboist Jim Nagano and pianist, Lee Meyer will finish the evening's musical diversions.
 
In its 37th season, the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, which is conducted by Philip Bauman, has a mission that focuses on education in the arts for people of all ages. The orchestra's Fall fund raising efforts go toward a variety of programs. On October 14, the children's concerts expose thousands of students and teachers to a live orchestra multimedia production. The Student Apprentice programs give talented young musicians a chance to play on stage beside accomplished musicians. The Young Artist Competition gives high quality youth musicians the chance to compete for the honor of playing a concerto with the orchestra.  In another collaboration, on December 5, the orchestra is accompanying Indiana Ballet Theatre in a performance of the Nutcracker.  This ballet that will be performed at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. All of these activities are possible as a direct result of sponsorships and individual donors. Over and over again the orchestra fills a community need of the development of quality music, performing arts, dance and various visual arts programming. At a time when state funding is continually reduced for the arts, it is important to keep the orchestra alive and all of its community work moving forward.

"In Concert Together ..." is a joint benefit that will target programs for families and children for both nonprofit organizations. Through Harmony House/CASA The community provides safety and security that our La Porte County children desperately need and deserve. Corporate sponsorship will provide abused and neglected children the voice they need in an adult sized court. The cost of representing one child with a properly screened and trained advocate is $700 per child per year. You can be that advocate and make a the difference in a child's life. 
 
Karen Biernacki, Executive Director of Harmony House/CASA reports, "We are proud to announce that each year the event continues to grow, so that we are now offering wine tasting, food tasting, beer tasting, a martini and premium wine bar."  This event is meant for everyone, with nonalcoholic beverages also available. Appetizers will be served by area eateries- Bubbles Ice Cream, Café Elite, Great Lakes Catering, Harbor Grill, Ivy Tech culinary arts students, Maple City Coffee, Rodini's Restaurant, Shoreline Brewery and The Timbers.
 
It is not too late to come to this fun and relaxed, come and go, wine and food taste.  It is created for people to enjoy the end of a busy work week and meet up with friends while they benefit two great causes. Tickets are $50.00 per person and sponsorships are still available.  For more information contact Karen Biernacki at 219.324.3385 kbiernacki@lpcasa.com or visit www.lpcasa.com or www.lcso.net