Press Releases
Summary: Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, a historic home and cultural center in south Orange County, announces a fundraiser with Broadway’s Chris Mann in An Evening with Chris Mann Celebrating the Tony Bennett Songbook on February 18, 2022.
San Clemente, CA – Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, a nonprofit southern California cultural center, welcomes The Voice contestant and The Phantom of the Opera Broadway actor Chris Mann to perform at its annual winter gala. Join Chris Mann at Casa Romantica for an evening celebrating the long and diverse career of a living legend. From American Songbook and Broadway classics to Lady Gaga hits, Tony Bennett’s music reaches every generation. The evening will include a sunset reception, gourmet catered dinner, benefit performance by Chris Mann, and a luxurious live auction supporting critical cultural events and arts programming for all ages. The benefit is chaired by Dr. Standiford and Noel Helm.
Chris Mann’s beginning as a finalist contestant on NBC’s The Voice, and his chart-topping duet with superstar Christina Aguilera, solidified him as one of the most unique voices in the history of the show. Continuing his meteoric rise, Mann was personally cast by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera‘s 25th Anniversary Tour.
Casa Romantica’s annual benefit supports the nonprofit’s arts and cultural programs for people of all ages. “Over 56% of Casa Romantica’s arts and culture events, concerts, and classes this year were free to the public, which makes this fundraiser a crucial event for us to continue serving our community,” says Executive Director Amy Behrens, “We are honored to welcome such an accomplished, talented and charismatic performer like Chris Mann to engage support for these programs that enhance the value of our heritage site.”
Honorees and benefit chairs Dr. Standiford and Noel Helm have provided significant underwriting support for the fundraising event since 2017. The Helms, who resides in San Clemente, are ardent supporters of the cultural institution, having been some of the first annual membership holders. Dr. Standiford Helm is an award-winning anesthesiologist who ran his own practice, The Helm Center for Pain Management, for many years. Noel Helm is a philanthropist who has held a leadership position as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2004. The couple has 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren with whom they share a passion for art and history.
If you go: An Evening Chris Mann Celebrating the Tony Bennett Songbook is February 18, 2022, from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. General admission is $175 and includes valet parking, a three-course dinner, and fine wine. VIP admission is $250 and includes an exclusive Meet-the-Artist champagne reception. A live auction will follow the performance.
About Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens maintains a robust series of year-round programs in arts, music, history, horticulture, and literature for all ages. Casa Romantica has commissioned several critically-acclaimed works, including Casa Classic: Opera Through the Seasons (2021; site-specific commission), Casa Kinetic: Tango Romantica (2021; dance), Open Casa: Who was Nellie Gail Moulton? (2020; visual art), Casa Coastal: Murals of Levi Ponce (2019; visual art), Casa Theater: The Odd-Essy (2019; theater), Casa Kinetic: Culture Shock LA Hip Hop (2019; dance); Casa Coastal: The Art of Baja California (2018; visual art), Casa Theater: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2018; theater), Casa Kinetic: Celebrating Tap Dance Legends (2018; dance), Casa Coastal: Rebecca Louise Law (2017; visual art), Casa Kinetic: Contemporary Dance Collective (2017; contemporary dance), and Open Casa: The Photographs of Douglas Kirkland (2015; visual art). The 2020-21 Casa Captivating season includes an expanded dance (Casa Kinetic), theater (Casa Theater), and concert series (Casa Vibes), visual and performing arts commissions, and an expanded Casa Kids education program.
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 6,000 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 nonprofit 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 10 am—4 pm; Friday—Sunday 10am—2pm; closed Mondays and holidays. General admission is $5; Casa Members, active military with ID, and children under age 13 visit for FREE. For more information, call (949) 498-2139 or visit CasaRomantica.org
