Winery party designed to boost awareness in South Valley
The atmosphere in was bubbly during the celebration marking the
merger of Symphony San Jose Silicon Valley with the existing Ballet
San Jose Silicon Valley. Wine flowed freely, and attendees in silk
and satin nibbled on shrimp kabobs, fine cheeses and other hors
d’oeuvres as they mingled on the patio of Clos La Chance
Winery.
In the distance grapes ripened peacefully, soaking up the late
afternoon sun.
Winery party designed to boost awareness in South Valley
The atmosphere in was bubbly during the celebration marking the merger of Symphony San Jose Silicon Valley with the existing Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley. Wine flowed freely, and attendees in silk and satin nibbled on shrimp kabobs, fine cheeses and other hors d’oeuvres as they mingled on the patio of Clos La Chance Winery.
In the distance grapes ripened peacefully, soaking up the late afternoon sun.
The blending of the two organizations comes at an important time because the symphony declared bankruptcy a year ago. On Sunday more than 300 donors, dancers and musicians gathered at the winery in San Martin to celebrate its revival.
The announcement of the merger effectively gives the symphony a new lease on life.
“The thought was to employ them for the ballet,” said Linda McNulty, one of three board trustees who live in Morgan Hill that organized the event.
McNulty and others hope that the event raises awareness of the ballet and the symphony in the South Valley. What many folks don’t realize, she said, is that the San Jose Symphony is the longest running symphony in the United States.
As the party continued members of the symphony’s brass section jammed on a ragtime tune.
“This is a big deal,” says Tom Sparling, who takes his four children to the ballet with his wife.
The Sparlings don’t need to be told about the importance of such institutions.
“I love taking my children to the ballet,” says Dorothy Sparling, “because you expose them to both performing arts.”
