Center Celebration 2024 raises nearly $600,000 to support the Center for the Performing Arts

Annual gala features performances by Chris Botti & Michael Feinstein

Highlighted by a masterful set from trumpeter Chris Botti, last Saturday’s annual Center Celebration 2024 presented by Ice Miller generated more than $588,000 to support the mission of the Center for the Performing Arts.

The event at the Palladium began with cocktails and a musical welcome by Michael Feinstein, the Center’s artistic director, as guests were seated for dinner. A live auction featured several packages including luxury getaways, sports experiences, and two pairs of tickets to Taylor Swift’s tour-closing concert on Nov. 3 in Indianapolis. Botti and his band delivered a one-hour set featuring surprise guests on violin, saxophone, guitar and vocals. Two after-parties featured live music from local acts Soul Street and pianist Eric Baker.

Noted violinist Caroline Campbell was a surprise guest for Chris Botti’s headline performance at the Center for the Performing Arts’ annual gala. (Photo by Bill & Sara Crawford)

Proceeds from the auction, table reservations, sponsorships, and direct donations will support the Center’s arts and educational programming, which includes mainstage performances by national and international artists, children’s concerts and camps, vocal and instrumental music classes, speaker presentations, and reading clubs.

“The Center Celebration is always my favorite night of the year, not only for the financial support it generates, but because it brings our friends together as a community,” Center President/CEO Jeffrey C. McDermott said. “We’re so grateful to all of them for the Center’s continued success.”

This year’s Gala Steering Committee was co-chaired by Carmel residents Adam Arceneaux and Caroline and Michael Garvey. In addition to Ice Miller, sponsors included First Merchants Bank, Aaron Wealth Advisors, Shiel Sexton, Studio M Architecture and Planning, the Payne & Mencias Group, Current Publishing, Open Gate, Will and Yasmin Stump, Anheuser-Busch, E&J Gallo Winery, St. Elmo Cocktails, and Oberer’s Flowers.

Coveted tickets to Taylor Swift’s Nov. 3 show in Indianapolis were among the auction packages available during the Center Celebration 2024 at the Palladium. (Photo by Bill & Sara Crawford)