Pianists combine talent to benefit education and the arts

The Soper Reese Theatre will host the popular Pianists Benefit Concert on Sunday, March 3. The performance will feature six professional pianists combining their diverse musical styles to raise funds for the theatre's Renovation Fund and scholarship programs of the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College.

The afternoon begins at 2 p.m. with a no-host reception followed by the concert at 3 p.m.

Premium reserved seat tickets may be purchased for $30; general assigned seats are $25 and youth 18 and under are admitted free of charge. Tickets are available online at www.soperreesetheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at (707) 263-0577.

Performers from Lake and Mendocino counties include Spencer Brewer, Elena Casanova, Tom Ganoung, Elizabeth MacDougall, Barney McClure and Ed Reinhart. The concert will feature all the pianists on stage throughout the performance as they converse about their life experiences and play a variety of musical selections, ranging from classical to jazz, boogie woogie to Cuban, original compositions to popular favorites.

Jennifer Strong of Strong Financial Network, a financial planning firm based in Lakeport, will be the host and Mistress of Ceremonies.

Sponsors of this eleventh benefit concert include the Law Office of Mary Heare Amodio, the Law Office of Judy Conard, Lakeport Furniture, Strong Financial Network, Steve and Carol Schepper, Brock Falkenberg,

Wilda Shock, Pat and Lori McGuire, Susie LaPointe, Peggy Campbell, and Educational Leadership Solutions.

To be included in the program, additional sponsorships will be accepted through Feb. 21 at $500 for six tickets, $300 for four tickets, and $100 for two tickets, all premium reserved seats.

Proceeds from the event will be dedicated to the Renovation Fund of the Soper Reese Theatre for continuing efforts to modernize and expand its facilities, and to the annual scholarship fund of the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College which also supports the summer production of Shakespeare at the Lake in Clearlake and Lakeport.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main Street in Lakeport. Autographed CDs and other materials by the artists will be available for sale during the reception and intermission.