It Could Cost You, or You Could Break Even, or You Could Come Out Ahead!

Orchestramiami's "Friendraiser" is on Saturday, November 9, at 7:00.  The location is the offices of Shulman and Associates at 100 NE 38th Street (in the design district).

Very cute.  A "Friendraiser" is of course a fundraiser, and they're trying to be "friend"ly about it.

Orchestramiami (OM) is a wonderful local music organization.  The founder and artistic director, and pianist, and conductor, is Elaine Rinaldi, who is a purely delightful person.  Elaine does everything for the organization.  She has a board of directors, as is required, and of which ("full disclosure," and all that) I am a member, but it is Elaine who does all the work.  She seems to like it that way.

Anyway, this year, she is/we are doing a more or less typical fundraiser.  Admission is free, which is not always the case for fundraisers.  Some are frankly expensive to attend.  The offers are these: "meet new friends and fellow music-lovers;" "enjoy free drinks and light refreshments" (Elaine commonly provides wine and cheese/fruit after chamber concerts, and both the wine and the eats are good.); "musical performances by members of the orchestra" ("the orchestra" is an interesting phrase.  Elaine has many musicians who play for her.  Some play in full orchestral ensembles, and some play in small chamber groups.  She doesn't specify how many musicians will play, or in what configurations.  But I've never heard any Orchestramiami performance in which the music was not wonderfully well-performed, so I'll vouch for whatever Elaine does.); "a 50-50 raffle, door prizes" (I told you you could leave with more than you brought.); "a silent auction and much more" (you know about silent auctions, and I have no idea what the "much more" is.)

Elaine ends her e-flyer with "All proceeds from the raffle and auction go to supporting your orchestra, Orchestramiami."  Elaine underlined your, so I'm telling you what she wants you to know.

And Elaine is right.  Orchestramiami is "your" orchestra.  Or it could be.  And it should be.  Orchestramiami is accessible, and it has a personal style to it.  You don't just "meet...fellow music-lovers."  You meet Elaine.  And the other musicians.  And Elaine's parents.  Just to concretize how accessible is Orchestramiami, some performances are free.  The ones for which there is a charge are very inexpensive.  I've told Elaine that she/we should charge more, but she likes it this way.

I'm inviting you to come to Orchestramiami's "friendraiser" on November 9.  No one asked for a head count, and there are no "tickets" to reserve.  So just show up.  If you want to.  If great people, mingling, wonderful music, wine and "light refreshments," and a chance to acquire something interesting float your boat.  If they do, I'll see you there.