Press Releases
Toast To The Casa 15th Anniversary Crystal Ball: Fortune Favors The Brave
Gala raises critical funding for innovative artistic and educational programs
Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 5:30pm-10:00pm | Tickets $175-200; on sale now
San Clemente, CA – Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is proud to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its annual Toast to the Casa gala, which raises critical funding for its artistic and educational programs. Funds from the gala also support the preservation of the historic Ole Hanson home and maintenance for its 2.5 acres of coastal botanical gardens. Toast to the Casa 15th Anniversary Crystal Ball: Fortune Favors the Brave will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 5:30pm to 10:00pm.
“As we celebrate the gala’s 15th anniversary, traditionally the Crystal anniversary, and the Ole Hanson home’s 90th anniversary, we honor our past,” says Executive Director Berenika Schmitz. “Simultaneously, we forge our vision for the future of our cultural institution. Casa Romantica’s vision is to be a southern California destination for artistic entertainment and education programs, and to make culture accessible to people of all ages.”
Key elements of the black-tie fundraiser include sampling fare from over twenty local restaurants, wineries & breweries, enjoying spectacular entertainment, and bidding on international trips, tickets, entertainment, jewelry, and more in live and silent auctions. The 15th Annual Toast to the Casa is headlined by nationally-acclaimed boogie and blues band Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers. The group will perform on the Main Stage in the Historic Courtyard. The music lineup also includes the Beverly Belles, an Andrews Sisters-inspired vintage female singing trio who will perform on the Main Stage as well as at the Ocean Terrace stage, and NomiS, a San Diego-based DJ spinning fresh, funky remixes of Top 40 and R&B hits in Casa Romantica’s Amphitheater by the Sea.
In a play on the words “Crystal Ball,” the 15th annual Toast to The Casa’s shimmering glass decor will be complemented by fortune-themed entertainment. The brave may try their luck at stations around Casa Romantica featuring a Wine Wheel of Fortune, star casting (a form of fortune telling), and sleight of hand feats from one of The Magic Castle’s top magicians.
Toast to the Casa’s 15th Anniversary Honorary Chairs are Dr. Ron and Margaret Redmond. The Redmonds participated in Casa Romantica’s initial renovation and the first Capital Campaign to transform Casa Romantica into the hub of culture it is today. Dr. Ron Redmond is a past President of the Casa Romantica Board of Trustees, and the couple continues to be involved by underwriting the annual Casa Romantica Music Festival and Academy for children. The Redmonds are active philanthropists for the arts and for medicine throughout southern California, and have improved thousands of lives via Redmond Orthodontics, the family practice that they founded over four decades ago. “It is fitting that the Redmonds should be honored at such a special time in Casa Romantica’s growth,” says Executive Director Berenika Schmitz.
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens was named Arts OC’s 2017 Arts Organization of the Year in June. The same month, the institution published its Impact Report, revealing figures such as a staggering increase of nearly 300% in general admissions and a 900% increase in memberships over the past four years. Casa Romantica received national press for its year-long art and horticulture initiative Casa Coastal: Rebecca Louise Law, which culminated recently in an art exhibition featuring 8,000 live hanging flora, and received critical appreciation in 2017 for its commission of a multi-company dance performance and its music fundraiser headlined by Les Miserables Broadway star Ivan Rutherford.
“Casa Romantica is the only center of its kind in South Orange County, providing unique cultural and educational programs, workshops, performances and events for people of all ages in our nationally registered historic landmark,” say Board of Trustees President Ruth DeNault. “Fortune favors the brave, and we deeply appreciate the participation of our community as we endeavor to bring these incredible opportunities to you and your families.”
The 15th Annual Toast to the Casa is sponsored at the Producer Level by Fluidmaster, and at the Premiere Level by Signature Party Rentals, Cox Communications, and the Casa Romantica Board of Trustees. Platinum sponsors include Farmers & Merchants Bank, Starfish Signs & Graphics, Bemus Landscaping, DeNault’s Hardware, Peter Drilling and Contracting, and Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Jennifer Taber. Cabernet Level sponsors include CR&R Environmental Services, Best Valet, Bonded Cleaners, San Clemente Times, San Clemente Lifestyle Magazine, Mr. and Mrs. Gavin and Ninetta Herbert, Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Rita Morris, Mr. and Mrs. Allen and Kathleen Scopaz, and Mr. and Mrs. Forrest and Jean Reynard. Casa Romantica is sponsored at the Chardonnay Level by Laguna Art Patron Magazine, South Coast Distributing, Divel Insurance, Mr. David Peter, The Helm Center for Pain Management / Dr. and Mrs. Standiford and Noel Helm, Mr. and Mrs. Rafik and Eileen Daher, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin and Sue Dunigan, Mr. and Mrs. Larry and Katy Smiser, Mr. and Mrs. Mike and Ellen Costello, Mr. and Mrs. William and Joan Ray, Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Mary Ann Whittier, Ms. Martha Ryan, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph and Bonnie Koch, Mrs. Ruth DeNault, Ms. Jennifer Blake, Mr. and Mrs. David and Carolyn Westendorf, Mr. and Mrs. John and Stephanie Wohlfiel, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie and Maggie Chang, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and Donna Iorio, Mr. and Mrs. Scot and Linda Proud, Mr. and Dr. Gordon and Helen Olson, and Mr. and Mrs. Greg and Terri Stoutenburgh. Pinot Level Sponsors include The Outlets at San Clemente, Rainbows Sandals, Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Carole Dougherty, and Mr. and Mrs. John and Terri Schilling.
Casa Romantica is grateful to Holland America Cruises, Monarch Beach Resort, Zulu Nyala African Safaris, Porsche of Newport Beach, David Peter, Ruth DeNault, and Jennifer Blake for their donations of premium prizes for this year’s live auction.
Individual tickets to Toast to the Casa 15th Anniversary Crystal Ball: Fortune Favors the Brave are $175 per person prior to September 1. The price raises to $200 on September 1. Private and corporate sponsorships, which include complimentary tickets, are available increments from $500 to $15,000. Tickets and sponsorships are available for purchase online at www.CasaRomantica.org, by calling (949) 498-2139, or by visiting the institution at 415 Avenida Granada in San Clemente.
About Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens maintains a robust series of year-round programs in in arts, music, history, horticulture, and literature for all ages. Under the leadership of Executive Director Berenika Schmitz, Casa Romantica has commissioned several critically-acclaimed works, including Casa Coastal: Rebecca Louise Law (2017; visual art), Casa Kinetic: Contemporary Dance Collective (2017; contemporary dance), The Beauty of the Butterfly (2017; visual art), Casa Kinetic: Carrie Lee Riggins (2016; contemporary dance), Casa Drama: Slings & Arrows (2015; theater), and Open Casa: The Photographs of Douglas Kirkland (2015; visual art). The cultural institution has just released its 2017-18 Casa Captivating season, which includes a new jazz series, visual and performing arts commissions, and an enhanced wellness program.
“Casa Romantica strives to be the epicenter for innovative artistic experiences in our southern California community,” says Casa Romantica Executive Director Berenika Schmitz.
Casa Romantica also hosts a variety of free arts education programs for children year-round. The institution’s annual Casa Romantica Music Festival and Academy has received critical praise for its comprehensive two-week music studies program in cello, piano, viola, and violin. Casa Romantica also offers a Summer Dance Workshop, a Spring Break Arts Week, various art, literature, and horticulture events to grades K-12, and welcomes over 2,000 children from the Capistrano Unified School District each year for STEAM-based field trips that examine the history of San Clemente and the coastal environment.
Mission Statement: Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and is the historic home of the founder of the City of San Clemente. Casa Romantica provides programs for all ages in arts, music, history, and horticulture and is a premier Southern California cultural center.
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is located at 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672. Hours: Tuesday—Thursday 11 am—4 pm; Friday—Sunday 10am—2pm; closed Mondays and holidays. General admission is $5; Casa Members and children under age 13 visit for FREE. For more information, call (949) 498-2139 or visit CasaRomantica.org
