HoCo Arts Gala Tickets Available

Tickets are now available for Howard County’s signature arts event! Presented by Howard Bank, the Celebration of the Arts in Howard County will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, Howard Community College, Columbia, MD.

Tickets are $100 and $50 online at http://www.hocoarts.org/celebration_of_the_arts.php, by phone at 410-313-ARTS (2787), or in the office at Howard County Arts Council, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043.

The gala begins with a reception from 6-8 p.m. featuring a silent auction of artwork by local artists, culinary delights provided by local restaurants, and live musical performances. At 8 p.m. the Celebration continues with the presentation of the Rising Star Competition and the 2013 Howie Awards! $100 tickets include the reception, silent auction and reserved seats in the Smith Theatre; $50 tickets include the reception, silent auction and general seating in the Studio Theatre for the simulcast.

The Rising Star Competition showcases ten young performing artists vying for a no-strings-attached professional development award of$5,000!  The audience will vote for their favorite performance, with the winner announced live on stage.  The ten finalists who will perform at theCelebration are Curtis Bannister, Musical Theatre; Leiland R.W. Charles, Contemporary Dance; Joe Duffey, Irish Step Dance; Steven Eddy, Classical Voice; Annie Gill, Classical Voice; Yoshiaki Horiguchi, Double Bass; Benjamin Lurye, Musical Theatre; Carolyn Rosinsky, Cello;

Maya Shivani Thakar, Classical Indian Dance; and Trent D. Williams, Jr., Contemporary Dance.

The Howie Awards honor individuals or businesses that have made a significant impact on the arts in Howard County.  The 2013 recipients are: Bruce Casteel for Outstanding Artist, Raissa Howera for Outstanding Arts Educator, and Toba Dobkin Barth for Outstanding Community Supporter of the Arts.

Kevin Kelehan, Partner with Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr, LLP and recipient of the 2012 Howie Award for Outstanding Community Supporter of the Arts, will serve as Honorary Chair for the Celebration. Richard W. Story, Senior Vice President, Community Relations and Government Affairs, and Business Development Liaison for Howard Bank, will serve as Event Emcee.

As the Arts Council’s main source of individual and corporate funding, the Celebration helps to support the Arts Council’s grants and education programs for children and adults throughout the year. The Celebration is also an important showcase for local performing and visual artists.  For more information or to purchase tickets, visit us online atwww.hocoarts.org or call 410-313-ARTS (2787).