Bandleader for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and New Orleans Jazz superstar, Jon Batiste and his band Stay Human will headline the Summer Gala that benefits The Ridgefield Playhouse, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit performing arts center, on Friday, June 21 – the first day of summer and Make Music Day, a celebration of music around the world! The gala begins at 5:30pm and includes dishes prepared by local restaurants, an open bar and a chance to bid on fabulous silent auction items outside under a tent on the baseball field next to The Playhouse. Jon Batiste and Stay Human will perform at 8pm in the theater. The Playhouse would like to thank all of the generous sponsors that help make the Summer Gala possible. Silver Sponsors are the Berisford & Stockel Families, Ann & Steve Carlson, De Clercq Office Group, Adam R. Rose & Peter R. McQuillan and Lisa & Michael Shinall. Additional Support is provided by Abbey Tent & Party Rentals, Hollandia Nurseries and Pepsi. This show is part of the Moffly Media Evening of Art Wine & Jazz Series and Pepsi Rock Series powered by Xfinity.
PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE PHOTO: Abbi Carrasquillo, Pepsi; Jennifer Dineen, The Ridgefield Playhouse; Allison Stockel, The Ridgefield Playhouse; Lee Owler, Pepsi ; Deb De Clercq, De Clercq Office Group; Steve Carlson, The Ridgefield Playhouse Board of Directors member; Lori Berisford; Jarl Orell, Abbey Tent & Party Rentals.
The Gala event will feature food from some of the best local restaurants and caterers including Atria Senior Living Culinary Chefs, Bareburger, The Cake Box, Milestone, Odeen’s Barbecue, Some Things Fishy Catering, Southwest Café, Tablao, Tequila Escape, The Village Tavern and Whistle Stop Bakery. The open bar at the Gala will feature drinks provided by Asylum Distillery, Campari, Corona Premier, Founders Brewing Company, Got Attitude Vodka, Half Full Brewery, Nod Hill Brewery, Pacifico Clara, Pera Wines, Reverie Brewing Company, The Wine Trust and Treasury Wine Estates.
Before landing his gig on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Jon Batiste had already established himself as a breakout star in the music world, performing with legends including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Willie Nelson, Lenny Kravitz, Ed Sheeran, Mavis Staples and others. The Louisiana native began as a percussionist in his family’s band The Batiste Brothers Band at the age of eight. He switched to piano at age eleven and in addition to taking classical lessons began transcribing songs from video games such as Streetfighter Alpha and Sonic Hedgehog. He studied with Trombone Shorty at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and later attended Julliard. He made his debut at The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam at age 20, producing and performing his own show and went on to conduct music classes and clinics throughout the Netherlands, eventually returning to play Carnegie Hall in New York City.
For tickets (Gala tickets/Orchestra seating $175 | Mezzanine/Balcony show-only: $75) call or visit the box office, 203-438-5795 or go online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org
ABOUT THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE
The mission of The Ridgefield Playhouse, as a non-profit performing arts center, is to entertain, enrich and educate our community and surrounding areas to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds. Each year, The Playhouse presents more than 200 live performances – music, comedy, family entertainment, Arts in Education shows for schoolchildren and more -- 40 HD screenings of The Metropolitan Opera, Bolshoi Ballet, National Theatre of London and Fathom Events, as well as community events. Through its Leir Foundation Arts for Everyone outreach program, The Playhouse provides free tickets and transportation to Title 1 schools, Gold Cards for free movies to senior citizens, and free tickets to more than 40 other non-profit organizations including ABC, Family and Children’s Aid, SPHERE and many more.
The Ridgefield Playhouse is located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT. Schedule of events and info at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.