(West Palm Beach, Fla.) Dress Circle members of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts were honored at a special dinner on December 12 in the Gimelstob Ballroom in the Cohen Pavilion. At this year’s event, more than 250 supporters were in attendance to celebrate the Kravis Center’s 30th Anniversary.
The dinner was sponsored by Bank of America, a Kravis Center Corporate Partners member and loyal donor who has supported the Center for 30 years. After dinner, guests enjoyed a performance in Dreyfoos Hall by Black Violin, a violist and violinist who combine their classical training with hip-hop influences.
Kravis Center CEO Diane Quinn welcomed guests and introduced a milestone anniversary video, recapping the Center’s last 30 years.
“Our 30th Anniversary season is a great time to celebrate the Kravis Center’s past, present and future,” said Ms. Quinn. “Looking back, we are so fortunate we have many long-term supporters – in fact, more than 500 donors have given consistently each year for the past 30 years. We are grateful for their loyalty and have 15 of them in attendance tonight. Annual giving is a substantial part of our operations each year, and we simply could not offer the caliber of our educational programming without your support – I salute you.”
Ms. Quinn thanked Board member and Chair of the Education Committee Penny Bank, for sponsoring the evening’s performance of Black Violin. Ms. Quinn mentioned more than 1700 students got to experience a performance by Black Violin earlier that morning, thanks to the Janet Traeger Salz Charitable Trust, which sponsors the Student and Teachers Arts Resource Series. Since the Kravis Center opened its doors in 1992, more than 3 million students have experienced the performing arts. Ms. Quinn then acknowledged Board members and Life Trustees in attendance and welcomed Board Chair, Sherry Barrat to the podium.
“Our anniversary season is off to an incredible start,” said Ms. Barrat. “We kicked off Kravis on Broadway with On Your Feet!, and our series subscriptions are at an amazing 9,200. We are also excited to have Sarah McLachlan perform for our 30th anniversary season Gala on March 1. We’d love for you to attend and help us celebrate this milestone year.” Ms. Barrat shared some more good news. “Norma and Len Klorfine, long-term donors at the Center – Norma serves on our Board of Directors – have generously offered up to a one-million-dollar match for new gifts that we receive by the end of this month, in amounts of $1,000 and above. We are so grateful to the Klorfines for making it possible for donors to double their impact. What a great gift!”
Ms. Quinn then introduced Fabiola Brumley, Bank of America’s Palm Beach County President and Senior Public Policy Lead to the stage.
“We are so honored to be a part of this very rich history from day one,” said Ms. Brumley. “One of the many reasons the Kravis Center is such an important beacon in our community is because the Center brings so many wonderful cultural experiences to the children in our community, many of whom have never gotten the opportunity to experience the arts. The Kravis Center is very important to us, and we look forward to many more years of partnership. We wish the Center a great 30th Anniversary season!”
For more information on becoming a member of the Kravis Center call 561.651.4320 or visit kravis.org/membership. For general information about the Kravis Center, please visit kravis.org or call the Box Office at 561.832.7469.
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