FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023


5:30pm—Red Carpet Arrivals
7:00pm—Concert
8:30pm—Pavilion Dinner & Symphony Supper Club


PROGRAM

Don Juan
Richard Strauss
Songs of a Wayfarer
Gustav Mahler
Rap Notes
Anders Hillborg
Boléro
Maurice Ravel


ARTISTS

Esa-Pekka Salonen

CONDUCTOR

Simon Keenlyside

BARITONE

Kev Choice

hip-hop ARTIST

Anthony Veneziale

freestyle ARTIST

Hila Plitmann

SOPRANO

San Francisco Symphony

This concert will be performed without intermission.

JOIN US

Join us for a spectacular evening to celebrate the new season! Esa-Pekka Salonen leads the San Francisco Symphony in an exhilarating Opening Night Gala program that interweaves music and technology in a tapestry of heightened emotional journeys and artistic exploration.

Surrounding the concert will be festivities and two dinner options–the seated Pavilion Dinner featuring a curated dining and music experience, and the lounge-style Symphony Supper Club with mingling, specialty bites, drinks, and performance.

Proceeds from the Gala directly support the Symphony’s acclaimed education, community, and artistic programs serving more than 75,000 people each year. Your gift makes it possible for us to feature vibrant programming and talent from around the world on our stage; inspire thousands of young people through music education programs with San Francisco Unified School District; and to enrich life in the Bay Area through our community outreach programs.

To purchase a VIP dinner sponsorship, please contact Tunisha Williams at 415.503.5351 or select an option below. 

Further your impact with an additional gift to support the All San Francisco Concert, the Symphony’s opening week performance for Bay Area nonprofit organizations and frontline staff who are working to create a better, more equitable community for all of us.


Questions? See our FAQ


Looking for concert-only tickets?

GALA COMMITTEE

Amy Christodoulo, co-chairAndrea Leibof Blavin
Julie Liegl, co-chairJessica Pascolini
Navid ArmstrongEleanor Pollak
Heather ChildsCarol Reiley
Anne Kelny DenebeimSarah Sullivan
Jeremy GallaherAhin Thomas
Ella Qing HouAlana Trujillo
Hannah KelloggJoAnn To
Sue KankeLisa Zhao

VIP DINNER SPONSORSHIPS

PAVILION DINNER

Dinner seating is limited. Early reservations are encouraged to secure your dinner sponsorship.

BENEFITS INCLUDE

  • Best-in-house concert seating (according to giving level)
  • Elevated post-concert dinner experience, seating for 10
  • Pre-Party VIP reception
  • Recognition on concert and event program (deadlines apply)  
  • Invitation to concert and backstage tour 2023–24 season  
  • Complimentary parking  
pavilion dinner diamond

• Table at $100,000 ($96,020 tax deductible)

• Individual Ticket at $10,000 ($9,602 tax deductible) 

• This level includes all PAVILION DINNER BENEFITS


Call Tunisha Williams 415-503-5351

Pavilion Dinner Platinum

• Table at $50,000 ($46,020 tax deductible)

• Individual Ticket at $5,000 ($4,602 tax deductible)

• This level includes all PAVILION DINNER BENEFITS


Call Tunisha Williams 415-503-5351

pavilion dinner gold

• Table at $25,000 ($21,020 tax deductible)

• Individual Ticket at $2,500 ($2,102 tax deductible)

• This level includes all PAVILION DINNER BENEFITS

SOLD OUT

pavilion dinner silver

• $15,000 ($11,020 tax deductible)

• This level includes all PAVILION DINNER BENEFITS

Limited quantity for first time gala dinner purchasers only.
Reservations accepted by phone only.

SOLD OUT

 SYMPHONY SUPPER CLUB

  • Post-concert lounge reception with curated food and drinks with live music  and dancing
  • Select concert seating  
  • Pre-Party reception 

 

SUPPORTER $1000 

$702 tax deductible

  • Supper Club lounge ticket for 1 and Orchestra concert seating
  • Access to VIP Pre-Party reception
  • Complimentary parking
  • Recognition on concert and event program (deadlines apply)

 

  Call Tunisha Williams 415-503-5351  

 

INDIVIDUAL $500 

$222 tax deductible

  • Supper Club lounge ticket for 1 and select concert seating

 

  Call Tunisha Williams 415-503-5351  

Official Magazine Partner

ADD A DONATION DURING CHECKOUT

Further your impact with a gift to support the All San Francisco Concert, the Symphony’s opening week performance for Bay Area nonprofit organizations and frontline staff who are working to create a better, more equitable community for all of us.

All donations made as part of a Gala purchase will automatically support the All San Francisco Concert.

THANK YOU

We offer our deepest gratitude to our Opening Night Gala sponsors and supporters for their most generous support.

DIAMOND

$100,000

Priscilla & Keith Geeslin
Marcia & John Goldman
Jerome Guillen & Jeremy Gallaher
Diane B. Wilsey

PLATINUM

$25,001–$50,000

Chevron
Amy & Peter Christodoulo
Aditi Iyer
Marie & Barry Lipman
Susan & Bill Oberndorf
Alana & David Trujillo

GOLD

$15,001–$25,000

181 Fremont Residences
Maria Cardamone & Paul Matthews
Cartier
Chanel
Heather Childs & Addison Thompson
East West Bank
Franklin Templeton Investments
Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation
William J. Gregory
Chris & Aet Hooper
Ella Qing Hou & Sandy Miller
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Kaiser Permanente
The J.C. Kellogg Foundation
F. Curt Kirschner, Jr. & Nicholas Augustinos
Koret Foundation
Keith & Metta Krach
Fred L. Levin
Meyer Sound
Trine Sorensen & Michael Jacobson
Jenn & Ahin Thomas
Alice Wang
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation
Lisa Zhao & Jun Hong Heng

SILVER

$5,001–$15,000

Dina Bandman Interiors
Andrea & Jonathan Blavin
Iris S. Chan & Dr. Michael Chan
Jerry Chen & Friends
Janet Cluff
Michael & Holly Cuggino
Pamela Rummage Culp
Edrington
Etan Z. Fraser, Esq.
Catherine Geeslin & Frank Gogol
   and Ned Geeslin & Azalea Irani
Thomas E. Horn
Gretchen B. Kimball
Patricia Lee-Hoffmann & Steven Hoffmann
Raaj & Jaime Narayan
Eleanor & Todd Pollak
Marianne B. Robison
Karen Sanford
The Eisenhardt and Shopoff Families
Roselyne Chroman Swig
Uber
Jennifer & Steven Walske

SUPPORTER

$1,001–$5,000

Agritainer Technologies
Vikrum Aiyer & Amber Parrish
Dr. Charlene Archibeque
Navid & William H. Armstrong
Vikram Arora
Vasudev Bailey
Lock & Ellie Bingham
Paula Ellen Blank & Win Derman
Stephanie Block
Aubrey Brewster
Caren Campbell
Solomon B. Cera & Toby Fischer Cera
Andrew & Carolyn Chatham
Claudine Cheng
Helen A. Christakos & Constantine P. Sapuntzakis
Kenneth M. Clark
Gary Clayton & Aline Godbout
Lucia Conley
Michèle & Laurence Corash
Steven Czekala & Solomon Eversole
Mary Lou Dauray & Alan Davis
Roger & Marji Davisson
Olivia Hsu Decker
Dustin & Diane Eisenhauer
Mary C. Falvey
Rachel & Alex Fishman
Holly French
Orly Friedman
Ed Goldfarb
Barbara Grob
David J. Hildebrandt & Jayne M. Williams
Nadir Joshua
Jay & Lauren Kahn
Caitlin E. Kalinowski
Andrew & Wendy Klein
The Honorable Eleni Kounalakis & Dr. Markos Kounalakis
Kate Kramer & Sven Thesen
Vlad & Martine Kroll
Emerald Lai
Jen & Joe Laska
Gail Lew
Lynn & David Lewis
Jeremy & Julie Liegl
Noelle & Alton Lo

SUPPORTER

(continued)

Patrick McCabe
Debra McCoy
Thayer & Philip Meicler
Patrick J. Metzger
Oran & Maryam Muduroglu
Steve Murphy
Andrea Palmer & Mark Orttung
Mattia & Jessica Pascolini
Mark & Carol Perry, Bank of America
Tsvetan Petkov & Jarisara Charoensit
Michael & Susan Pierce
Ramchandra Raje Shinde
Martha E. Real
Carol E. Reiley
Sara Eisner Richter & Michael Richter
Stephen Ruben
Robert Saenz
Kimberly & Danny Sanner
Sarah A. Schoellkopf, Ph.D. & R. William Neil
Phoebe & Christopher Schreiber
Leyla Seka
Randall Shulman
Evan & Noelle Shahin
Suzanne Siskel
Stephanie & James Stafford
Scott Stoeger
Katherine Taylor
Sean Tierney
James & JoAnn To
Paul Upham & Michael Vosika
Sara Varni
Caroline & Bary Wilkinson
Tiffany Williams
Anita Wornick
Maria Zhang
Matthew Zhang
Anonymous

PRODUCTION PARTNERS

Blueprint Studios

Event Organizers

Global Gourmet

got light.

Hensley

McCalls Catering and Events

DJ Billy Vidal
DJ Jarvi
DJ Zita
Earth Circus Productions
iLuminate
Live Box Digital LLC
Yuki Izumihara

IN-KIND PARTNERS

Anton SV Patisserie
Canopy Growth
Char.cuterie
The Caviar Co.
Fort Point Beer Co.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
Hayz Dog
Highland Park
Jackson Family Wines
Lallier R.018 Brut Champagne
Mayenda Blanco Tequila
No. 3 Gin
Orangewood Labs Inc.
Papito Hayes
RT Rotisserie
Serve Robotics Inc.
Souvla
St. George Spirits
Starbucks
Wilderness Trail Whiskey
Wyoming Whiskey

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

EVENT INFORMATION

What is the San Francisco Symphony’s Opening Night Gala?
Opening Night Gala is the San Francisco Symphony’s biggest fundraising event, gathering supporters for an inspiring concert and fabulous party in celebration of the new season. The evening raises critical funds to support the Symphony’s artistic, community, and education programs, which reach more than 75,000 people in the Bay Area each year. The evening consists of a preconcert party, a concert, and a post-concert dinner celebration.

How much does it cost to attend an elevated experience at Opening Night Gala?
The levels for the Opening Night elevated experience start at $500 for a ticket to the Supper Club, continuing up to $100,000 for a Diamond sponsorship for a table of ten in the Pavilion Dinner along with best-in-house concert seating. There are multiple levels for the ten-person tables in the Pavilion Dinner, distinguished by the amount of programming your level supports, recognition at the event, and the tickets to the concert.

Are the concert tickets separate from the Opening Night Gala tickets?
Whether you buy a Supper Club ticket or Pavilion Dinner table, your purchase includes tickets to the concert. It is possible to buy concert-only tickets as well for those who just want to experience the preconcert lobby reception and a night of music.

What does the money raised by the Opening Night Gala support?
Proceeds from the gala directly support the Symphony’s acclaimed education, community, and artistic programs serving more than 75,000 people each year. Gala contributions support programs such as:

  • Music and Mentors, the Symphony’s program with SF Unified School District, which provides more than 4,500 public middle and high school students with access to quality coaches, mentors, and instruments.
  • Fisher Family Adventures in Music, which brings ensemble performances to grades 1–5 classrooms.
  • The Community Ticket Program, which provides free tickets to nonprofit and community workers and constituents across the Bay Area.
  • Monthly performances for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital patients, families, doctors, nurses, administrators, and staff.

What is the difference between the different levels of table sponsorships?
All levels in the Pavilion Dinner include a ten-person table (tickets may be paid for by individuals at the table). Levels are distinguished by the amount of programming your level supports, recognition at the event, and the tickets to the concert.

What if I don’t have ten people to make up a table?
Individual tickets for the Pavilion Dinner will be seated according to their level with other ticketed guests. If you would like to set up a table of individual tickets, our staff is available to help organize your seating.

What is the difference between the Symphony Supper Club and the Pavilion Dinner?
The Pavilion post-concert event will be a five-star seated meal with entertainment and special surprises. Guests who attend the Pavilion Dinner will also have access to the best seats for the concert. The Supper Club is a more casual nightclub type experience, with curated cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in a lounge setting.

What is the dress code?
The dress is glamour encouraged, black-tie optional.

What is the minimum age to attend the event?
The minimum age to attend the event is 21 years of age. If you do not meet the minimum age requirement, you will not be admitted.

Could my employer match my contribution to the gala?
Yes, corporate donation matches are counted as part of your overall contribution. Once you have confirmed the match with your employer, please indicate the details when making your reservation. See if your company matches by searching here.

EVENT SCHEDULE

What is the schedule of events? 

  • 5:00PM – Doors open for Dinner Purchasers at the corner of Grove and Franklin, Red Carpet Welcome and VIP receptions in Wattis Room and Loge Lounge
  • 5:30PM – Doors open for Concert ticket holders at the corner of Grove and Van Ness, Red Carpet Welcome and receptions in Davies Symphony Hall Lobbies
  • 7:00PM – Concert begins
  • 8:30PM – Concert concludes, dinner guests go to respective dinner locations

What time does the concert start?
Friday, September 22, 2023, 7:00PM. Doors open at different times depending on the package or tickets purchased.

Is there an after-party?
There is no after-party this year but guests in the Pavilion Dinner and Symphony Supper Club will enjoy an extended experience in each space, including a performance, dessert stations, cocktails, and additional surprises.

GALA DINNER

If I purchased a gala dinner table, how do I submit the names of my guests?
You should have received an email from the Symphony with a link to a guest survey. In that survey, you are able to submit names of all of your guests. Please email [email protected] if you cannot find that email in your inbox.

What is the deadline to submit the names of my guests for my gala dinner table?
You should have received an email from the Symphony with a link to a guest survey. In that survey, you are able to submit names and preferred table seating of all of your guests. Please email [email protected] if you cannot find that email in your inbox. We ask that you submit this guest survey no later than September 1.

When will I find out my dinner seating location?
You will receive your seating assignment for the Gala dinners when you check in at the registration tent on the night of the event.

CONCERT-ONLY TICKETS

When will I get my concert tickets?      
You will receive an e-Ticket prior to the event. Access to the event is through E-TICKETS ONLY. Please be sure to bring your phone to the event. No tickets will be mailed.

How do I access my e-Ticket on my phone prior to arriving?

  1. Login to your account at SFSymphony.org
  2. Go to view my upcoming events
  3. Save and display your e-Ticket barcode

As you arrive, we kindly ask you to have your e-Ticket barcode displayed on your screen or printed out, ready for our ushers to scan.  For more detailed instructions, please visit the e-Tickets section at https://www.sfsymphony.org/YourVisit/Visitor-FAQs

How do I distribute concert e-Tickets to my friends?
You can manage your e-Tickets from your phone, tablet, or computer.

  1. Login to your account at SFSymphony.org
  2. Go to view my upcoming events
  3. Click on “Forward ticket to a friend”

What if I need help or have more questions about accessing my tickets?
Please contact Patron Services at 415.864.6000 or [email protected].
During the regular season, Box Office staff are available at 251 Grove Street, San Francisco from Monday through Friday from 10AM to 6PM, on Saturday from Noon to 6PM, and two hours before all performances. From August 8 through August 29, the Box Office has summer hours and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10AM-6PM.

CHECK-IN AND PARKING 

Where do I check in for the event?
There will be registration tents located at the corner of Grove and Franklin for those participating in one of the dinners, and at Grove and Van Ness for those attending the concert.

Where do I park?
All dinner purchasers will be offered complimentary parking in the Performing Arts Garage at 360 Grove Street – please confirm this on the survey sent to you after your tickets are purchased for the event. For patrons attending the concert, suggested parking is located at the Civic Center Garage between Polk and Larkin, and Grove and McAllister Streets. The Civic Center Garage will be open until 1AM that evening. Davies Symphony Hall is easily accessible from Muni Metro (Van Ness or Civic Center stations) and BART (Civic Center station). More information on directions, transit, and parking.

If arriving by rideshare, the drop-off area will be on Franklin Street between Grove and McAllister, just north of the Check In Tent on Grove Street. As traffic is anticipated, we encourage you to allow for extra time for travel so that you may enjoy your experience to the fullest.

How do I provide my parking e-Ticket to the Performing Arts Garage? 
Please present your parking e-Ticket to the attendant upon entrance to the garage. The attendant will provide you with a ticket to use upon exiting.

The IRS has not yet issued guidance governing contributions from Donor Advised Funds. The sector “best practices” regarding grants from Donor Advised Funds, Private/Family Foundations, and Corporate Foundations have been evolving. Individual donors are not able to accept benefits in return for contributions made from a Donor Advised Fund. Consult with your DAF or tax advisor to determine the tax treatment of contribution and any other restrictions that apply to DAF grants.

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