Greta Matassa to headline the Gala for the Arts, Friday, June 24 at the Shoreline Center

Jazz vocalist Greta Matassa

The Arts Council will showcase Greta Matassa at their annual Gala for the Arts on Friday, June 24, 2011.

About the artist: "Greta Matassa is, hands-down, the most beloved and talented vocalist on the Northwest jazz scene.

"With her stunning versatility, remarkable interpretive skills, unflinching rhythmic sensibility and roaring scat, Matassa is the consummate jazz musician and can grab and hold a crowd like none other. She is a multiple winner of Earshot’s Golden Ear Award for the Northwest Vocalist of the Year, most recently for 2008. 

"Her performance resume is extensive: She has played with the Seattle Reperatory Jazz Orchestra, Spectrum Dance Theater and as part of the Rising Stars Foundation Concert series in Los Angeles to name just a few. She has performed with jazz great Dave Frishberg and in the summer of 2007, she opened for Herbie Hancock at the Woodland Park Zoo. In addition to performing at festivals and venues all up and down the west coast, she has also played in Russia and Singapore. 

"She has several CD’s in her discography, and a new CD is due to be released later this year. Matassa also maintains a steady teaching and workshop schedule and is a highly respected mentor to many area vocalists. Darin Clendenin accompanies her on keyboards."

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council's 13th annual Gala for the Arts Benefit is on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 5:30 pm in the Shoreline Room at Shoreline Center, prior to the Shoreline Arts Festival on June 25 and 26. Attendees will be treated to Northwest wines, a delicious dinner, exciting silent and live auctions, an exclusive preview of our 21st annual juried art shows, and fabulous entertainment featuring Jazz Diva Greta Matassa with Darin Clendenin on keyboards. 

The Gala for the Arts is a benefit for the community and Arts for Kids programs, such as the Artists-in-Residence program in the Shoreline School District, the August Arts Camp, Children’s Performance series, and Summer Enrichment Scholarships.

Auction items include

VIP tickets to the Blue Man Group at the Paramount Theater, a summer evening sail on Lake Union for four aboard the Center for Wooden Boats’ historic 40-foot racing yacht “Pirate”, Teatro ZinZanni tickets to Love, Chaos and Brunch!, a whirlwind performance of cirque, comedy and cabaret with gourmet brunch by celebrated Northwest chef Tom Douglas, a week in a fantastic waterfront Puerto Vallarta condo, a Lake Chelan--Wapato Point 5 room timeshare, two sets of box seat Mariner tickets for August 3 vs. the Oakland Athletics, and August 17 vs. the Toronto Blue Jays, a Twilight Sequim featuring hotel, dinner, golf, a DVD, ferry tickets and so much more.

The annual "Wine Frenzy” will feature commemorative Crimson Meritage and Melody Chardonnay by Silver Lake Winery.

Tickets are $75 if ordered prior to June 1 and $80 after June 1. Tables of 8 are $575. Dinner will feature our custom “Earth and Ocean” menu by Pacific Northwest Catering. If you would like to attend the Gala for the Arts email or call 206-417-4645.  The Shoreline Center is located at 18560 1st Ave NE in Shoreline, WA 98155.

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture all of the arts in the community through programs and events, arts education, advocacy, and support for artists and arts organizations.