Russell and Ciara Join Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Seattle Symphony For A Special Benefit Concert To Support Greater Equity and Opportunities For Youth, and Access To The Arts
Thursday, May 10 at 8 p.m. at Benaroya Hall
Funds raised will directly support initiatives of the Why Not You Foundation, the Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Equity Fund and Seattle Symphony’s Education Programs
“Music is powerful and inspiring,” says Ciara. “Just as we look to the gym for our physical well-being, music and the arts is an avenue for mental and emotional wellness and healing. We are grateful to the Seattle Symphony and our friends Macklemore and Ryan Lewis for their willingness and excitement to partner with us as we raise funds that will benefit lives of kids in our community.”
This special evening will be hosted by Russell, conducted by Seattle Symphony Associate Conductor Pablo Rus Broseta, and will feature individual and collaborative performances by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Ciara, and the Seattle Symphony. This unique event sprang from conversations between the artists and organizations as they explored fun and creative ways to come together in an effort to inspire and engage the greater community to support critical programs that are focused on youth, equity and access to the arts. The evening will also feature performances by current participants in some of the education programs that will directly benefit from the concert including aspiring teen hip-hop artists from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ The Residency, a program that provides teens with tools that strengthen their skills in songwriting, performance techniques and beat production; high school orchestra musicians who will join the Seattle Symphony in a side-by-side performance; and students from a local elementary school classroom who will represent the Seattle Symphony’s Link Up program. Link Up is a multi-year curriculum that encourages young students to fully participate in the music-making process, taught in collaboration with school staff or by Seattle Symphony teaching artists, culminating with students singing and playing along with the orchestra at Benaroya Hall.
“With our work in the community through the Why Not You Foundation, we are always looking for ways to collaborate with innovative partners to have a greater impact,” says Russell. “Ciara and I are proud of this partnership with Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and the Seattle Symphony which will further help us to instill hope and inspiration in kids. And as long as I’m not singing, we’ll have a lot of fun!”
This special musical evening is presented by Alaska Airlines, with additional sponsors including T-Mobile, Aegis Living, Safeway, Larry & Brittni Estrada, Goldman Sachs, and Wheels Up. Special thanks to Platinum Sponsors Leslie and Dale Chihuly; Rebecca and Barney Ebsworth; Liz and Mike Hilton & Jill and Rajeev Singh; Jeff Lehman and Katrina Russell; Dan Madsen; Michael and Barbara Malone; Laura and Michael Miller; Kirsten Nesholm; Tricia and Peter Nora; Jesse Proudman and Rebecca Whitney Proudman & Noreen and Kabir Shahani; and Evan Wyman.
Tickets start $75 and can be purchased online at seattlesymphony.org, by calling the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office at (206) 215-4747 or (866) 833-4747, or in person at the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office on the corner of Third Avenue and Union Street. Tickets may also be purchased through the Seattle Symphony’s iPhone and Android apps by searching “Seattle Symphony” or “Listen Boldly” at Apple’s App Store or Android’s App Store.
Limited VIP packages are still available. Please contact Zoe Funai: (206) 215-4868