SPRING SHOWCASE GALA

SAVE THE DATE for this season’s Spring Showcase Gala at World Cafe Live, on Wednesday March 20th, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Early Sponsorships coming soon!

Last year’s Spring Showcase at World Cafe Live was something truly exceptional – a new venue, unique format, and dynamic performances by Astral Artists Natalia Kazaryan, Beomjae Kim, Brittany Lasch, Zhenni Li-Cohen, and Ronaldo Rolim. Our host, Jonathan Beyer delighted guests with his charisma and engaging charm, and the positive energy in the Music Hall was palpable.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with World Cafe Live in the 2023-24 season!

*Host Jonathan Beyer and Astral President & CEO Lourdes Starr welcome guests to World Cafe Live.*

*Checking in with Astral Director of Operations Elysa DiMauro at the entrance to the World Cafe Live Music Hall – the premier Philadelphia venue for emerging musicians!*

*Pianist Ronaldo Rolim and trombonist Brittany Lasch share their artistry amidst “Astral purple.”*

*Spring Showcase guests peruse the Silent Auction items in lobby.*

*Attendees enjoy cocktails, plated dinner, and exceptional hospitality by the WCL staff during three performance sets by Astral Artists.*

*Guests mix and mingle throughout the evening.*

*The “host with the most” Jonathan Beyer interviews Astral pianist Zhenni Li-Cohen.*

*Silent Auction bidding wars over the most enticing items…*

*Guests leave their seats to meet and greet new and old friends.*

*Flutist Beomjae Kim and trombonist Brittany Lasch perform an arrangement of Reena Esmail’s Nadiya.*

Astral Board of Directors with President & CEO Lourdes Starr. (L to R: Jonathan Eifert, Cathy Cahill, Chris Merritt, Fred Snitzer, Dave Reichman, Lourdes Starr, Joan Chait, Bill Schaefer, Lisa Aronson, Stanford Thompson, Laura Picciano, Mark Steinberger, John Wright, Jana Mossey. Not pictured: Paul Chou, Susan Huffman, Chris Rinaldi, Karen Slack, Joshua VanderVeen, Lou Villardo, David Wolfsohn)

_{All photos by Ryan Brandenberg}

If you were unable to attend the Spring Showcase and would still like to support Astral, please consider making a donation here. With your help, we are able to continue our mission to empower outstanding, emerging musicians to shape purposeful and sustainable careers that inspire, connect, and excite diverse audiences.

For more information, please contact Lourdes Starr at 215-735-6999 or lourdes@astralartists.org.

Astral’s presence at World Cafe Live is partially funded through a generous grant from The 25th Century Foundation.