Local car dealers revved up for social event

CONROE, Texas -- Get your boots polished and your bling-bling jeans ready for the social event of the season. The Young Texas Artists Music Competition (YTA) has been showcasing and supporting the state’s rising classical music stars for 30 years, and some local automobile dealerships are ready to celebrate with some generous donations.

Streater-Smith Honda Nissan, Wiesner Buick GMC, Buckalew Chevrolet and the Gullo dealerships have joined forces to match all new and increased contributions, dollar for dollar, made to the Young Texas Artists Music Competition for 2014.

But wait -- there's more!

Sewell Maserati of Houston is donating the use of their brand new model -- the Maserati Ghibli -- for a weekend-of-your-choice, to be auctioned off at the Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue Gala set for Saturday, March 8, at 6:00 at the historic Crighton Theatre in Downtown Conroe.

"YTA is all about giving back," said Susie Pokorski, YTA chair. "The YTA committee is overwhelmed by the generosity of these local businesses and everyone in the community who has given their time, talents and dollars to help support our young classical music stars of tomorrow."

Other auction items for the gala evening include a weekend package for the 9th Annual Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, a Glock handgun, a dinner party at Lampros Gallery, a fishing trip for four; and a flight for seven in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress.

Don't miss out on the fun -- Get your tickets today.

The Finalists' Concert and Awards for the 30th Annual Young Texas Artists Music Competition and the annual Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala will take place Saturday, March 8, at the historic Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe. The gala gets started at 6:00 p.m., and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

YTA welcomes special guest acclaimed pianist Jade Simmons, "Classical Music's #1 Maverick," and St. John Flynn, with KUHA Classical 91.7 - Houston Public Media, as the concert's master of ceremonies. Some may also know Flynn from Channel 8's commentary panel on Sunday nights after "Downton Abbey."

Ticket holders for the Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala will enjoy preferred seating in the Crighton Theatre for the Finalists' Concert and Awards, a delicious Texas-style barbecue dinner, and the after-party with desserts, champagne, wines and coffee.

Individual tickets for the gala evening are $125 per person ($100 per person for MCPAS subscribers and members of the YTA Circle.) Concert-only tickets are $28 each.

All levels of tickets are available for purchase at the Crighton Theatre Box Office, www.crightontheatre.org or 936-441-7469.

For more information about the event, to make a donation, or to join the YTA Circle, contact Susie Pokorski at susiepokorski@gmail.com or at 936-756-7017. www.youngtexasartists.org.

Jerry Streater and Susie Pokorski, chair of the Young Texas Artists Music Competition, at the showroom of Streater-Smith Honda Nissan. Photo courtesy Young Texas Artists Music Competition.