FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Meg Whalen – (704) 714-5114
megw@charlottesymphony.org
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Public Relations Manager

April 2, 2009

Put on your dancing shoes! The Charlotte Symphony will host “Into the Park,” a swinging dance and dinner party on the stage of Symphony Park, on Thursday May 14, 2009 at 6:30 pm.  Shain Gallery has partnered with the Symphony to provide fine art for the party, with an exclusive preview of the newest masterpieces from artists Kim Schuessler and Geoffrey Johnson.

“Into the Park,” previously known as “Spirit of the Symphony,” is the third annual springtime fundraiser for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.  As in years past, the party will take place center stage at beautiful Symphony Park, with cocktails, a seated dinner, and dancing to the popular band, Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters.

Kim Schuessler and Geoffrey Johnson are two highly sought-after artists represented by Shain Gallery. Both artists will be unveiling new works at the event. Along with ticket sales, portions of the proceeds that evening from sales of both artists’ paintings will help support the many programs of the Charlotte Symphony.

Nationally recognized, Kim Schuessler’s art gained even greater prominence when The Congressional Women’s Luncheon honoring Laura Bush selected one of her paintings for its invitations and programs.  She has many exhibitions to her credit, including dozens of sell-out shows, and her art is in numerous private and corporate collections, including that of Spanx Corporation and Niemann Marcus. Geoffrey Johnson’s works have been purchased by numerous corporate and prominent private collections including: Turner Broadcasting, Bell South Corp., Wachovia Bank, and the Bernau University Museum in Gainesville, GA., and has been featured in architectural publications across the nation.
Tickets are $125 and are available by calling Charlotte Symphony Annual Fund Manager Sandra Johnson at 704-714-5107. Tickets may also be purchased through the Symphony website: www.charlottesymphony.org.

Founded in 1932, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is the largest and most active professional performing arts organization in the central Carolinas. The CSO gives some 100 performances each season and reaches an annual attendance of more than 250,000 listeners. Education and outreach services, including free concerts for all fourth and fifth graders in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, will reach nearly 30,000 children this season.

Shain Gallery, located in Myers Park, is a long-time supporter of Charlotte’s cultural community, having raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past 10 years for charitable events such as “Into the Park.” For more information, please visit the gallery’s website: www.shaingallery.com

Geoffrey Johnson

Kim Schuessler