Downey Symphony swings back to the 50’s for annual fundraiser

DOWNEY — It’s that time of year again. The Downey Symphony Orchestra Garden Party fundraiser is Sunday, Sept. 21, from 3-7 pm at the Women’s Club in Downey. For Information or reservations, email Pat Gil at patgil0131@gmail.com or text at 562-879-3029.

Entering its 67th season, the Downey Symphony Orchestra is Downey’s oldest legacy non-profit arts organization. Each year the Symphony presents free concerts in the Downey Theatre along with a summer performance at Furman Park. It features some of the finest professional musicians in the Los Angeles area. It is conducted by Music Director Sharon Lavery.

Doing this kind of professional work is expensive. Here’s a way for you to support this exceptional community arts experience.

This year’s theme is “50’s Greased Lightening: A Fabulous Fifties Celebration”. Don’t be square. It’s a blast from the past. Come in your 50’s threads, but that is not required.

You can shake, rattle, and roll to the live authentic 50’s sounds and deep cuts of Thee Silvertones and The LA Horns. It’s a guaranteed good time. So don’t be square. You can even groove out in your seat.

It’s a fabulous three-course dinner with wine, champagne, appetizers, and prizes. It is $85 per person. Tables of eight are available for businesses, service groups, community organizations, and others willing to support the rare opportunity for the City of Downey to have its own professional symphony.

There is a wide variety of silent auction items to browse through. Join in the fun with the exciting live auction items which include: 1) a 3 night Yosemite cabin stay; 2) a 2-night stay in a Joshua Tree desert studio; and 3) a dinner with conductor Sharon Lavery and attending a rehearsal with her.

Thee Silvertones and The LA Horns features Jerry Careaga, who grew up in Downey. Careaga was a guest musician, sitting in with the legendary blues musicians RJ Mischo and Nathan James at the Downey Arts Coalition’s (DAC) sold out ‘Roots & Blues.’ event.

He is also a member of the Silver Kings, well known in the blues community for their authentic instruments and microphones performing 40’s and 50’s blues.

Thee Silvertones and The L.A Horns are seasoned musicians who most recently performed in the Viva Las Vegas Festival in Las Vegas. They are a diverse band performing early rock and roll, rhythm and blues, rockabilly, doo wop, swing, and original tunes.

Band members have performed with Johnny Rivers, Wanda Jackson, Ronnie Dawson, Big Sandy, Deke Dickinson, James Intveld, Carl Sonny Leyland and others.

Thee Silvertones and The LA Horns feature: Lead Vocals/ Guitar : Lobo Vasquez;,Piano/lead guitar: Uncle Ernie Vargas; Upright bass/ Jerry Careaga; Drums / John Palmer;Sax/ Enrique Esqueda; and Trumpet/ Hector Patino