THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY PRESENTS THE SILVER ANNIVERSARY GALA WITH CANLIS AND EXECUTIVE CHEF AISHA IBRAHIM ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2023, CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF BENAROYA HALL
THE SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES 25 ESTEEMED HONOREES WHO HAVE HELPED SHAPE ITS TRAJECTORY
BENAROYA HALL’S SILVER ANNIVERSARY COINCIDES WITH THE 120TH SEASON OF THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Seattle, WA — The 2023/2024 season marks both the 25th anniversary of Benaroya Hall and the 120th season of the Seattle Symphony, opening with a celebration of these two significant milestones at the Silver Anniversary Gala. Guests will enjoy a black-tie celebration featuring an exquisite meal by Canlis and Executive Chef Aisha Ibrahim, performances by Seattle Symphony musicians, and a program recognizing 25 iconic artists, philanthropists and civic leaders who have helped define the trajectory of the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall.
In recognition of their contributions to the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall, the 2023 Silver Anniversary Gala Honorees include:
John Luther Adams
The Alvord Family
ArtsFund
The Benaroya Family
Brandi Carlile
Leslie and Dale Chihuly
Reena Esmail
Governor Dan Evans and Nancy Evans
Judith Fong
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Cecile Hansen
Mayor Harrell and Joanne Harrell
Joe Hisaishi
Classical KING FM 98.1
Lang Lang
Mary’s Place
Microsoft
Ludovic Morlot
The Nesholm Family
The Nordstrom Family
Mayor Norm Rice and Constance Rice
Gerard Schwarz
Charles and Lisa Simonyi
Joan and the late Craig Watjen
Seth Parker Woods
After the Gala, more celebrations continue the following day, September 29, with an unforgettable Seattle Symphony Silver Anniversary Concert featuring pianist Lang Lang and conductor Peter Oundjian in a thrilling program of John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 and Respighi’s Pines of Rome. After the concert, Seattle Symphony musicians will join the party, complete with signature cocktails, small bites, a DJ and a dance floor, in the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby.
Ticket Information
To reserve a ticket or table to the Silver Anniversary Gala, please contact Director of Special Events Samantha DeLuna at samantha.deluna@seattlesymphony.org or 206.215.4728. Gala packages include premium seating at the Friday concert with pianist Lang Lang and the Seattle Symphony, VIP access to the Silver Anniversary Concert & Party with orchestra musicians and complimentary parking for both nights.
Silver Anniversary Concert & Party packages are available now at seattlesymphony.org/party.
CHEF AISHA IBRAHIM
Born in Mindanao, Philippines, Aisha Ibrahim immigrated to the United States, where she grew up in West Virginia. She first attended Elon University on a full basketball scholarship, but after a career-ending injury, moved to San Francisco to pursue a culinary career. Aisha graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu program and went to work at notable Bay Area restaurants Commis and Manresa before landing in Spain at Eneko Atxa’s Azurmendi. Seeing her potential, Eneko moved Aisha to Southern Thailand, where she became Chef de Cuisine of his restaurant Aziamendi. Before earning the title of Executive Chef at Canlis, she spent time at some of the best kitchens in the world, including Kagurazaka Ishikawa, Kohaku, L’effervescence, & Ryugin. She lives in Bellevue with her wife, chef Samantha Beaird, and their dogs, Mochi and Dashi.
CANLIS
Built in 1950, Canlis has been Seattle’s favorite spot to celebrate for over 70 years. Under the leadership of third-generation owners Mark and Brian Canlis, the fine dining restaurant has remained a classic while also evolving alongside the city through decades of change. Canlis was a part of Benaroya Hall’s first anniversary celebration, and we are excited to welcome them back for this special milestone. The restaurant seeks to celebrate Seattle and the bounty of the Pacific Northwest with its contemporary cuisine and a dedication to uplifting the region’s farmers, artists and local businesses. After creatively pivoting with over a dozen different concepts during the pandemic, Canlis is still finding inventive ways to engage the city in their take on fine dining — whether that is a party in their parking lot or an exquisite meal at the Symphony’s Silver Anniversary Gala. With countless awards under their belt, Canlis is now focused on sharing its mission with the world: to inspire all people to turn toward one another.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
The Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has garnered five Grammy Awards, 27 Grammy nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 750,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts, and through the Seattle Symphony+ streaming service, the orchestra’s concerts reach audiences at home and around the world.
BENAROYA HALL
Benaroya Hall, the home of the Seattle Symphony, is located in downtown Seattle. The hall is renowned for its pristine acoustics, luxurious design and prime location. It has two auditoria: S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium and Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall. Opened in 1998, the complex celebrates the vital role of performance events, sustains commercial life on one avenue, and offers a public space, in the form of a terraced garden, along another.
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SILVER ANNIVERSARY GALA
Thursday, September 28, at 6 p.m.
Benaroya Hall
SILVER ANNIVERSARY CONCERT & PARTY
ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Friday, September 29, at 7 p.m.
Peter Oundjian conductor
Lang Lang piano
Seattle Symphony
John Adams Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2
Respighi Pines of Rome
Lang Lang's performance is generously underwritten by The Nakajima Family.
Gala Committee
Lyn Grinstein, chair
Leslie Jackson Chihuly
Susan Coughlin
Parul Houlahan
Danae Howe
Oraib Kabbani
Paul Rafanelli
Patricia Rosen
Andrea Snyder
Susan Winokur
Party Committee
Shawn Harmon, chair
Sheila Houlahan
Eric Jacobs
Tiffany Moss
Claire Taylor