Richmond CenterStage to Host A SWEET VIRGINIA EVENING, 6/5

Richmond CenterStage today announced A Sweet Virginia Evening, honoring the 2014 recipients of CenterStage's Renaissance Awards: Robbin Thompson and Altria Group.

The celebration and fundraiser will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2014 and will treat gala guests to cocktails, dinner, the 2014 Renaissance Awards presentation, a special performance by Robbin Thompson himself, followed by dessert and champagne - all throughout Rhythm Hall, Showcase Gallery and the historic Carpenter Theatre.

The CenterStage Foundation Board of Trustees is excited to continue presenting the CenterStage Renaissance Award, now in its second year. These awards are intended to honor individuals or organizations whose long-term achievements have had long-lasting cultural impact on the Greater Richmond's performing arts community. As was the case in 2013, one award is given to an artist for his or her artistic contributions to our cultural legacy; a second award is presented to a business or civic leader that embodies the arts in their work and vision.

The 2014 recipients of the CenterStage Renaissance Awards are Robbin Thompson, the Virginia-based musician and songwriter and Altria Group, the long-standing corporate supporter of the performing arts, headquartered in Richmond. Mr. Thompson's award will be presented by former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Altria Group's award will be presented by Dominion Resources president and CEO Thomas F. Farrell II. Richmond CenterStage is proud to celebrate and recognize these remarkable contributors to the performing arts across our region.

Even after four decades of critical acclaim and collaboration with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Bruce Hornsby, 2014 Renaissance Award recipient Robbin Thompson still proudly calls Virginia his home.

A Richmond resident since 1969, Thompson is the Vice President and co-founder of In Your Ear Music and Recording, a locally-based company that composes and produces music for commercials and films. Over his career, he has recorded over a dozen albums and has won the American Song Festival twice.

In recent years, the composer and producer has devoted much of his time and energy in recent years to many local non-profit organizations and worthy causes including the Richmond Boys Choir, School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC), the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the victim's families of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Thompson, along with friend and fellow musician Steve Bassett, authored the song "Sweet Virginia Breeze," which is considered by many to be the unofficial state song of Virginia.

Photo credit: konzertbilders.ch