Nashville Symphony’s Sixth Annual Spirits of Summer: Live Music and Craft Cocktail Competition
Spirits of Summer, a widely popular fundraising event supporting the Nashville Symphony, will take place at Schermerhorn Symphony Center Thursday, June 27. Blending the experience of a live orchestra performance and a cocktail competition, the curated concert event pairs musical works with creatively crafted cocktails designed by notable Nashville mixologists. The event is presented annually by Crescendo Club, the Nashville Symphony’s young professional organization. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit nashvillesymphony.org/sos.
Following the theme “Symphonic Nights,” guests will be transported to the charming streets of Havana as VIP attendees kick off the evening in El Salón Havana Lounge, complete with a cigar rolling station, open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and live Cuban music. During the main event, Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez will lead the performance of four curated musical selections as each mixologist presents their cocktail. The audience will experience a journey of all the senses, enjoying signature cocktails and delicious Cuban bites paired with exquisite music, while comparing tasting notes with friends between each “round.” At the end of the night, the audience will vote for their favorite music and cocktail pairing, with the winning mixologist taking home the Symphony’s Spirits of Summer award. After the concert, guests are invited to mix and mingle with the mixologists and Nashville Symphony musicians.
This year’s event is chaired by Samantha Breske Magee and Keeley Locke. Spirits of Summer began in 2017 to raise awareness of and funds for the Nashville Symphony among Nashville’s young professional community.
“Spirits of Summer has been one of my favorite events since I joined the Associate Board in 2019, and I’m honored to serve as co-chair this year. Curating a multi-sensory event pairing extraordinary music and creative cocktails is such a unique and fun way to experience the Nashville Symphony,” said Samantha Breske Magee. “Every year I’m excited to see how many new faces are in attendance to support the Nashville Symphony, and I believe this year will be our best yet. ‘Symphonic Nights’ has been such a treat to plan, and I can’t wait to see it come to life!”
Featured mixologists include Samuel Bathanti (Goodtimes Full Service Bar), Jeremiah Blake (Pullman Standard), Chi-Anne Reynolds (Cherries), and Woody Woods (Chopper), with award presentation by 2023 Spirits of Summer Craft Cocktail Award Winner Ryan Barrentine (The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club). The musical program includes an exciting range of compositions including works by George Gershwin, Gabriella Ortiz, Johnny Richards, Richard Strauss, and Jeff Tyzik performed by the Nashville Symphony.
“I’m thrilled to co-chair this year’s Spirits of Summer, an event that seamlessly combines my family’s devotion to the art of craft spirits with our love of Nashville’s Symphony Orchestra. This year’s Havana-inspired event is set to be the most spectacular to date,” said Keeley Locke. “It’s been an honor and privilege to co-chair with Samantha Breske and collaborate with the Nashville Symphony team. I hope to see many new and familiar faces as we enjoy an immersive experience with delicious cocktails and spectacular music conducted by the charismatic Enrico Lopez-Yañez.”
Spirits of Summer is supported by Title Sponsor BLVD Capital; Gold Sponsors Bourbon Belles & Whiskey Women, Akerman, Nissan, Advance Financial, Ingram Charities, and Calm and Collected Music Group; Bronze Sponsor JAMS; Photography Sponsor Kathy Thomas; Bronze Sponsor JAMS; Wine and Spirits Partner Ajax Turner; Photography Sponsor Kathy Thomas; and In-Kind Sponsors Actual Foods, Gibson Gives, and Leiper’s Fork Distillery. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Nashville Symphony, whose mission is to inspire and engage a diverse and growing community with extraordinary live orchestral music experiences. Event tickets are on sale at a starting price of $75.
WHAT:
2024 Spirits of Summer, “Symphonic Nights:” Live Music + Cocktail Competition
WHEN:
Thursday, June 27, 2024
6:30 PM (El Salón Havana VIP Experience, Main Lobby)
7:30 PM (Spirits of Summer, Laura Turner Hall)
WHERE:
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 1 Symphony Place
TICKETS:
$75 Early Bird General Admission (For tickets purchased prior to May 27)
$100 General Admission
$200 General Admission + El Salón Havana VIP Experience
PAST SPIRITS OF SUMMER WINNERS:
2017: Jen Fuller (The Mockingbird) and Katie Murphy (Chauhan Ale & Masala House)
2018: Kyle Simmons (Union Common)
2019: Kelly Gable (Josephine)
2022: Rhonda Cammon (Perfectly Cordial)
2023: Ryan Barrentine (The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club)