Costa Mesa HS Foundation gala aims to fund Mandarin and arts programs
The Costa Mesa High School Foundation’s annual gala, Beat the Drum for the Arts, will be in the Garden Terrace at South Coast Plaza Sept. 19
Portions of the money raised from the event will go to the Costa Mesa Mandarin Chinese program, for travel, as 15 Costa Mesa High students are set to visit China in the spring, said Katrina Foley, the foundation’s president.
The Costa Mesa High School Foundation is also trying to raise money for the arts, including a concert grand piano for the school’s new theater. Already $25,000 has been raised, yet the group is $50,000 short of the goal, Foley said.
She said if the foundation can get past its overall goal of $150,000, the remaining money will be for instruments for Costa Mesa’s new orchestra elective class. The school is excited to have a marching band, jazz band and now an orchestra, she said.
The gala will feature UC Irvine’s Gió Nam Mua Lan (Southern Wind Lion Dance) dancers, as well as singers from the CMHS Madrigal Choir and alumni Drum Line members. The guests will dance later in the evening while ‘80s cover band Flashback Heart Attack performs.
“It’s going to be great,” Foley said of the event. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with South Coast Plaza and Segerstrom Center. It’s a perfect match to what our vision is to make Costa Mesa High the No. 1 arts academy in the state of California. It will be a fun night of dancing and just being with friends.”
At the gala, the Costa Mesa High School Foundation will present its inaugural Vision Award to Jon Lindfors, a CMHS teacher and music director who is in his 30th year at the school.
The award is based on creativity, leadership, community involvement and inspiration, Foley said.
“The City of Costa Mesa is lucky to benefit from many visionaries who believe that an environment of innovation, culture and creativity strengthens our community,” Foley said. “Mr. Lindfors is one of those unique individuals whose passion for empowering every student by unlocking their creativity and intellect makes him the perfect awardee for our first annual Vision Award.”
Tickets for the event are $75 per person and can be purchased online at cmhsfoundation.org/events/annual-gala.
There will also be several items up for auction at the gala.