Monday, February 14, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jill Graziano Laiacona

703-993-8794

MANASSAS, Va., Feb. 14, 2010 – The Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas announces its First Anniversary Gala on Saturday, April 2, 2011 from 4–8:30 p.m. The evening celebrates the four decades of extraordinary public service by Sen. Charles J. Colgan and his constituents, as well as his dedication to the vision and mission of the Hylton Performing Arts Center, which opened on George Mason University’s Prince William Campus in May 2010. The funds raised from the gala will establish the Senator Charles J. Colgan Community Arts Benefit Fund, which will assist in making the Hylton Center and its resources available to local and regional performing arts groups throughout Prince William County and the greater Washington, D.C. area.

The event will commence in the Hylton Center’s Merchant Hall with a performance of “Simply Sinatra,” featuring Northern Virginia’s own Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra performing with guest vocalist Steve Lippia, one of the country’s most prominent interpreters of classic pop music.

Immediately following the performance will be a reception for Sen. Colgan’s friends, colleagues and supporters. The evening concludes with a dinner in the Gregory Family Theater, featuring a video presentation in tribute to Sen. Colgan’s extensive public service to the Prince William community and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Jana Yeates, co-chair of the gala and CEO of Employment Enterprises, Inc. in Manassas noted, “Sen. Colgan has been such a strong advocate of the Hylton Center for over a decade. I am so pleased that the Hylton's First Anniversary Gala will honor his strong commitment to the mission of the Center.” Lovey Hammel, gala co-chair, and a member of the George Mason Board of Visitors also noted, “The funds raised for the gala will establish the Charles J. Colgan Community Arts Benefit Fund, which will make it possible to support local arts groups using the Hylton. I know that is an important priority for Sen. Colgan.”

Tickets to the “Simply Sinatra” performance and reception are $150.

Tickets to the “Simply Sinatra” performance, reception and dinner are $300.

Table sponsorships are also available.

For more information, please contact Una Murphy

at (703) 993-8621 or umurphy@gmu.edu.

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About the Hylton Performing Arts Center
Dedicated to bringing a world-class performing arts venue to the Prince William region, the Hylton Performing Arts Center was born out of a partnership among Prince William County, George Mason University, the City of Manassas, the Commonwealth of Virginia and individuals and businesses in the private sector. Soaring more than nine stories and boasting a stunning mix of copper, glass and masonry, the 85,000-square foot center is home to two unparalleled performance venues for local arts groups and performers from around the world, as well as university-related activities. Modeled after the intimate European opera houses of the 19th century, Merchant Hall is a 1,140-seat multipurpose proscenium theater, which is encircled by 27 private boxes that rise three levels. The Gregory Family Theater is a flexible, 4,400-square foot space that can be configured for many different types of performances and events. In addition, the Didlake Grand Foyer, with its sweeping staircase, provides an ideal setting for community, corporate and social events. The Hylton Performing Arts Center, the only building of its kind in the area, is sure to quickly become the cultural hub of Prince William County and the surrounding communities and is a shining example of collaboration and commitment to the arts.

About George Mason University

Named the #1 national university to watch in the 2009 rankings of U.S. News & World Report, George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with global distinction in a range of academic fields. Located in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., Mason provides students access to diverse cultural experiences and the most sought-after internships and employers in the country. Mason offers strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering and information technology, organizational psychology, health care and visual and performing arts. With Mason professors conducting groundbreaking research in areas such as climate change, public policy and the biosciences, George Mason University is a leading example of the modern, public university.