2010 Black & White Ball Lineup Announced: Tony Bennett to Grace the Stage

The San Francisco Symphony lineup was announced at the San Francisco Symphony’s 2010 Black & White Ball Launch Party earlier this week—and by the looks of it, this is going to be one haute affair.

The Black & White Ball, which benefits Adventures in Music, a music education program set up by the San Francisco Symphony, will take place on May 22, at the San Francisco War Memorial Performing Arts Center. The announcement that Kool & the Gang would be one of the party headliners had me torn between which of their greatest hits I should try weaving into my text. Is the Black & White Ball going to have us getting down, celebrating good times, or a mixture of both, with a few “Ladies Night” renditions thrown in for good measure?

The gang certainly won’t be alone though, as hip-hop/R&B songstress Faith Evans, and two-time Grammy nominated Afro-Cuban ensemble Tiempo Libre will be sharing the spotlight as well.

Word is that the rest of the lineup includes the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Moonalice, Royal Crown Revue, Candela, Papa Doo Run Run, Foreverland: A Musical Tribute to Michael Jackson, and Zepparella.

But, the best part of the entire gala will be the performance of Tony Bennett alongside k.d. lang, who will perform at a special concert at Davies Symphony Hall that night.

The Black & White Launch Party, meant to be a pre-party to the big party, was one big hit at the Bentley Reserve in San Francisco. But, absolutely nothing will compare to the actual Black & White Ball, which will be comprised of a 10-band lineup set up to grace five stages throughout the night.

And there’s more…

Online voting polls are now open for guests (and even non-guests) to partake in the festivities via web. Choose which Bay Area DJ will play the coveted main stage set before Kool & The Gang takes over the party. Nominees are: DJ Sam Isaac, DJ Mei-Lwun, and DJ Solomon. Voters are also given the chance of choosing what they want to eat at the esteemed gala. Both ticket-holders and non-ticket-holders can vote for the official “Black & White Bite” from a selection of delicacies created by famed caterer McCall Associates.

And just in case you were wondering what Chairman Patricia Sprincin will be wearing, well, you can choose that too. Online voters will decide which of the three Colleen Queen couture ball gowns the chairman will don at the 2010 Ball.

Online voting closes on Thursday, April 22 and tickets for the grand event are on sale now. The General Admission Party Pass is on sale for $200, providing Ball entry at 9:00 p.m. and access to all Performing Arts Center venues and outdoor stages until 1:00 a.m.

The Tony Bennett and k.d. lang concert plus Party Pass tickets are $325. The Symphonix Bash Beyond the Ball tickets are $375-$600. The Super Club tickets which range from $375-$600 and finally the Patrons’ Dinner Tickets cost between $1,000-$2,500.

Tickets are available by phone: 415.864.6000 or online: www.sfsymphony.org/bwball. For information on dinner packages, please call: 415.503.5500.

Interested in voting on the online polls? Visit: www.sfsymphony.org/byoball

Photography courtesy of Drew Altizer