Spotlight Awards preview of event

We’re counting down to the 2014 Spotlight Awards and it’s going to be a spectacular event!

Don’t miss this year-end celebration for all Patel Conservatory families. There’ll be lots of great food, a photo booth provided by 4 Fun Photo Booth, dancing under the tent, courtesy of Ultimate Entertainment, and more!

This is your time to shine and celebrate a year of dedication and commitment.

It’s the ultimate cast party for the entire family!

The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction in Ferguson Hall lobby. Don’t miss your chance to bid on Dinner with Peter Stark and Ivonne Lemus, or a private acting lesson with Eugenie Bondurant who plays Tigris in next year’s blockbuster film, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2!

The show kicks off at 6:30 p.m. in Ferguson Hall.  All Patel Conservatory students are invited to be in the show. (For more info on how to participate, call 813.222.1040.)

After the show, enjoy selections from local restaurants including Sweet Tomatoes, PDQ, Tijuana Flats, Ciccio’s, Olive Garden and Cajun in a Truck.

Desserts will be provided by Patel Conservatory families. (If you would like to contribute dessert, click here, or email Kim at kbolton4211@yahoo.com.)

Finally, we’ll announce the winner of our drawing! One lucky person will win the grand prize of three nights at the exclusive Hilton Club in New York City and four orchestra seats to a Broadway show. The second prize is a flat screen TV, and the third prize is an iPad.

We’re looking forward a fun night. Get your tickets now to the Patel Conservatory's biggest show of the year!

Remember that all students need to purchase a ticket, even if you’re in the show. Student tickets are just $10 each at the Ticket Sales Office window with your student ID badge and includes the post-show party.

For more information, please call 813.222.1040, or click here.

Deadline for program ads for the 2014 Spotlight Awards

Show your support for the Patel Conservatory by purchasing your ad in the 2014 Spotlight Awards event program.

The deadline for ads for the Spotlight Awards program is April 30, 2014.

All families are encouraged to purchase an ad to help us raise essential funds to sustain our programs. Ads can include a picture of your student and a personalized message. Or, you can thank a teacher or promote your business.

Prices range from $35 to $75 for ads, and all proceeds support the Conservatory’s classes, financial aid and outreach programs.

Help us continue to provide the finest training in dance, music and theater!

How to take out an ad:

1. Click here for payment form.

2. Payment should be submitted to the registrar in the Chairmen’s Library

• in person
• phone: 813.222.1040
• fax: 813.222.1277
• mail to: Patel Conservatory, Registrar, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa, FL 33602

3. All text and pictures should be submitted to elizabeth.miller@strazcenter.org no later than April 30, 2014.

For questions or more information, please contact Beth Miller at 813.222.1040.

Enter to win three nights in New York City!

Imagine yourself on the bustling streets of the Big Apple, heading to see a Broadway show!

Enter our 2014 Spotlights Awards drawing, and you could be the lucky winner of a three-night stay at the exclusive Hilton Club in New York City!

This year’s drawing for the 2014 Spotlight Awards features three fantastic prizes. All proceeds from the drawing support the classes, scholarships and outreach programs of the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center.

The Patel Conservatory awards more than $250,000 in scholarships and financial aid each year.

You can help by entering our drawing. If every Conservatory student purchases just one ticket, the drawing will raise more than $10,000. Help us reach our goal by purchasing your tickets today!

Grand Prize will be a three-night stay in a two-bedroom suite at the exclusive Hilton Club AND four orchestra tickets to a Broadway show, generously donated by Florida Health Care News/Dr. Barry Levine and Gina d’Angelo.

The Hilton Club is just a block from the Museum of Modern Art, a few blocks south of Central Park, and a 10-minute walk to Times Square and the Theater District.

The hotel and Broadway package is valued at more than $4,000.*

Second Prize will be a Westinghouse 46” Flat screen HDTV, valued at $1,000, donated by Florida Health Care News/Dr. Barry Levine and Gina d’Angelo.

Third Prize will be a 16GB Apple iPad Air, valued at $499, Donated by Drs. Kiran C. and Pallavi K. Patel.

The drawing will take place at the Spotlight Awards, which will be Tues., May 20, 2014.

The suggested donation is $10 per entry. Get your tickets before May 15, and score three entries for $20. From May 15 through May 20, 2014, entries will be three for $25.

All students are encouraged to support their Conservatory by selling drawing tickets to family and friends.

This is an easy way to show your support! Stop by our registrar’s office in the Chairmen’s library for your tickets today!

*New York Experience must be completed no later than Sept. 1, 2015. Prize includes three consecutive nights in a privately-owned two-bedroom suite at the Hilton Club New York, and four orchestra level seats to a Broadway show selected by the donor and the winner. Dates of the stay and show are subject to availability. Winner must provide a minimum of 120 days notice for booking the stay. Blackout dates for Hilton Club are Nov. 21, 2014 through Jan. 4, 2015, and Mar. 29, 2015 through April 5, 2015. Airfare not included.

THE DAVID A. STRAZ, JR. CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IS A 501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION  AND ALL GIFTS MADE TO THE STRAZ CENTER ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED BY LAW. 100% OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED ARE RETAINED BY THIS ORGANIZATION.  A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION NUMBER SC-02449.

An experience to remember

The 2014 Spotlight Awards supports our arts education programs at the Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory, including our outreach program, which serves more than 30 community partners throughout the Tampa Bay community.

One of the things the Conservatory provides for our community partners is tickets to shows or dress rehearsals when they’re available. The goal is to give these opportunities to students who would otherwise be unable to attend shows at the Straz.

The following is a letter we received from one of our community partners,

“Jane attended The Nutcracker along with a group of 21 students that I hosted through the generosity of your educational program. I cannot put into words the effect the Nutcracker opportunity had on Jane. I watched her as I did the other youth and she did not take her eyes off the stage. She was AWE-STRUCK.

Jane is 16 and this is the first time she has been to a performance at the theatre. She lives in poverty at a trailer park... She lost her father six months ago to lung cancer. Jane also has been bullied and struggles with feeling like she doesn't belong.

The Straz Center opportunity was an eye opener for her. It was a magical afternoon for Jane and I can tell you, she was meant to join our group on Saturday...She took a lot of photos of the water fountain near the valet, pictures with Santa, etc.

...the opportunity the Straz provided, I felt you and your colleagues should know the impact it had on a child that lives in a depressed environment.

Continue your hard work and know that it is making a difference.”

- Nikki Inda, Program Coordinator, Moffitt Healthy Kidz

Making a Difference

You can help make a difference by reserving your seats now for the 2014 Spotlight Awards through sponsorship!

When you support this fundraising event, your contributions make a difference for students like Jane and thousands more!

Sponsorship starts at $1,000 and includes reserved seating for the show and dinner. Share a sponsorship with another family, or ask your company to get involved.

If you have questions about how you can help support the arts education programs at the Straz Center's Patel Conservatory, please contact Beth Miller at 813-222-1002 or elizabeth.miller@strazcenter.org.

Auction donations requested for the 2014 Spotlight Awards

The Patel Conservatory’s 2014 Spotlight Awards is guaranteed to be a fabulous evening. This fundraising event will showcase highlights of our 2013/2014 season, followed by dinner and dancing for the entire family.

This year, the event will also include an expanded silent auction. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on fantastic items like jewelry, electronics, autographed memorabilia from visiting artists like Adam Carrolla, tickets to local attractions and more!

Get tickets to see Winter the Dophin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
and more great items at the 2014 Spotlight Awards silent auction.

You can help make it a huge success by donating items for our auction.

The more we have, the more we sell! And the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center will receive 100% of the proceeds.

Do you have season tickets to the Bucs or Lightning? Do you know someone who sells Pampered Chef, Silpada, etc.? 

Think outside the box! Unique experiences like a hot air balloon ride, fishing excursion or box seats to a concert or sporting event are great contributions!

Other ideas include a weekend at a beach condo or mountain cabin, gift baskets from boutiques or kid friendly businesses, golf packages, autographed sports memorabilia, and gift certificates to local movie theaters, miniature golf, etc. (All items must be new.)

Donations may be dropped off at the registration desk in the Patel Conservatory’s Chairmen’s Library. Please include the auction donation form with each donation. (And please make sure donors keep a copy for their own records.)

For questions or more information, or to volunteer for our auction committee, please contact auction chair Brandy Gold at brandy.gold@aol.com or call 813.222.1002.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Save the date for the 2014 Spotlight Awards

Mark your calendars now for the 2014 Spotlight Awards!

Tuesday

May 20, 2014

6:30 Performance
8 p.m. Dinner and dancing

This end-of-the year show will recognize outstanding students and feature the best performances from the Patel Conservatory’s 2013/14 season.

After the performance, enjoy dinner and dancing for the entire family.

This year, the evening will include a silent auction, and a drawing for the chance to win a trip for four to New York City!

Proceeds from the Spotlight Awards supports our classes, scholarships and outreach programs.

The Conservatory provides more than $250,000 in scholarships and financial aid each year. In addition, we provide performing arts classes for deserving schools and organizations throughout the community. Tuition and ticket sales only cover 65% of our overall costs. We rely on the generosity of individuals, companies and private foundations to bridge the gap.

Help us continue to enrich the lives of thousands of children, both in our classrooms and throughout Tampa Bay.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, program ads, and silent auction donations, or to volunteer for the event, contact Beth Miller at 813-222-6425 or elizabeth.miller@strazcenter.org.

Give the gift to dream, reach, discover and create. Support the Patel Conservatory’s 2014 Spotlight Awards.