WEGMANS’ SPONSORSHIP OF RPO ECLIPSE SPECTACULAR IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY
Wegmans providing dozens of free tickets to Cameron Community Ministries and Joseph Avenue Arts and Cultural Alliance
Rochester, N.Y. – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) today announced Rochester-based regional supermarket chain Wegmans Food Markets as a sponsor of RPO Eclipse Spectacular: A Symphonic Celebration, April 7 at Blue Cross Arena, the night before the 2024 Solar Eclipse.
The Wegmans sponsorship puts the event within reach for more than 100 additional audience members.
“We’ve had a longstanding relationship with the RPO and appreciate the quality and depth of their music,” said Wegmans Community Relations Manager Linda Lovejoy. “The RPO has a special evening planned in celebration of the Solar Eclipse, and we wanted to be part of it, while giving that same opportunity to others who don’t typically have access to world-class music and the arts. That’s why we’ve gifted tickets to those served by Cameron Community Ministries and Joseph Avenue Arts and Cultural Alliance, two incredible organizations.”
RPO Eclipse Spectacular’s centerpiece is a space-themed concert led by RPO Music Director Andreas Delfs, RPO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, and RPO Assistant Conductor Jherrard Hardeman – marking the first time the three have performed in the same program on the same stage.
Joining the conductors and nearly 100-piece Rochester Philharmonic are artists from outside of the RPO universe. A complete list of primarily Rochester-based guest performers and contributors will be revealed soon. Those already announced include dancers from the Rochester City Ballet, Troupe Vertigo aerialists, and a 150-member community choir.
Ticketholders should expect treats for the eyes as well as the ears, as the RPO and guests perform in front of a giant screen displaying vivid, space-inspired images, while audience members are engulfed by cutting-edge lighting and stunning visual effects.
Wegmans and Cameron Community Ministries
Located in the northwest Rochester neighborhood of Lyell-Otis, a culturally diverse section with primarily low-income families, Cameron Community Ministries delivers basic needs and emergency assistance to help individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency. According to Executive Director Olivia Kassoum-Amadou, in 2023, some 20,000 people came to Cameron for its wide array of services, which includes one of the city’s busiest food pantries.
“Anything that we’ve needed for our programs, Wegmans has stepped up to it,” Kassoum-Amadou said, adding a long list of examples of Wegmans’ support, including everything from supplies for the pantry, the gift of a truck to deliver food to community members unable to come onsite, as well as food, supplies, and financial support for events, programs, and its facility throughout the years.
“Our relationship with Wegmans is great and we appreciate the opportunities they provide, not only for the youth but for the whole family, to attend community events. The benefit afforded them creates memories that last a lifetime. The eclipse event is a once in a lifetime memory.”
Wegmans and Joseph Avenue Arts and Cultural Alliance
Based in Rochester’s rebounding Northeast Quadrant, the Joseph Avenue Arts and Cultural Alliance boasts a vibrant year-round calendar of arts-education programs and arts events, creating opportunities to experience world-class music, dance, theater, and visual arts for families and children throughout Rochester, free of charge. The centerpiece of Alliance efforts is converting the historic landmark building, the former Congregation B’Nai Israel synagogue, into an 11,000 square-foot performance and gallery space, The Center for the Performing and Visual Arts.
“Wegmans has been with us from the very beginning,” recalled Executive Director David Pacific. “Our programming began in 2018, and they were there with support for the professional staff we needed, as well as for the programs we do. But the big thing at that time was food insecurity, so Wegmans graciously helped us cater all our events. For our audiences, if you were coming to a program in the evening, you weren’t worrying about missing dinner. And since then, they’ve been a massive supporter to us, making sure our programs continue from year to year, with gifts and with opportunities like this – giving our kids a chance to see the RPO.”
RPO Eclipse Spectacular Ticketing Information
TICKETING: Ticketmaster: 800.653.8000 and ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Blue Cross Arena box office during normal hours of operation. Prices start at $27, plus service fee.
Corporate and community group discount tickets are available through RPO Group Sales Manager Sal Uttaro at 585.454.7311 ext. 267, and suttaro@rpo.org.
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ABOUT THE RPO: The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its origins in 1922. Now in its Centennial Season, the RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region.
Music Director Andreas Delfs joins the ranks of former notable RPO music directors, including Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, Mark Elder, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, now in his 30th season, has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his tenure with the RPO. Jherrard Hardeman serves as both RPO Assistant Conductor and the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RPYO) Music Director.
The RPO reaches more than 15,000 youths through its education programs.
Special thanks to RPO Eclipse Spectacular Sponsor Wegmans Food Markets, NYS Regional Economic Development Council, as well as Media Sponsor WHEC-TV, News10NBC, and Event Co-Producer Jay Advertising.
ABOUT WEGMANS: Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a regional supermarket chain with 110 stores located along the east coast. The family company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. Wegmans has been named one of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ by FORTUNE magazine for 26 consecutive years, ranking #4 in 2023. The company also ranked #5 for corporate reputation among the 100 most visible companies, according to the 2022 Axios Harris Poll 100 Reputation Quotient® study.
