Park City Institute Celebrates 20 Years in the Eccles Center with a Gala, Performances, and More!

The Park City Institute will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for Performing Arts, Saturday, January 13 at 7:30 PM. The evening will be headlined by Pink Martini, with a special performance by singerPerla Batalla, and feature a variety of additional performances and surprises, on the Main Stage of Park City's joint-use facility.

"It's hard to believe it has been 20 years since our community first realized the dream of this building," said Teri Orr, executive director of Park City Institute. "Together, we have discovered that there is an alchemy at work, somewhere between the edge of the stage, and the first row of seats. These performers have changed us. And, we've changed them, a little. They tell us, again and again, that we give good audience."

The evening's celebrations will be headlined by Pink Martini. The orchestra, featuring lead singer Storm Large, will perform a set from their vast catalog, that includes classical, jazz, and old-fashioned pop-with a twist.

"We are thrilled to present Pink Martini for our 20th Anniversary Celebration," said Orr. "This performance will be their third appearance, in twelve years, with us. Pink Martini's music is both engaging and transcendent. They are part of who we are."

Pink Martini was founded in 1994, by Thomas Lauderdale. At the time, Lauderdale was working in politics, mulling a future run for office, when he turned his lifelong study of piano into an orchestra to play for political fundraisers for progressive causes. The band became a sensation, playing with some of the world's leading symphonies, recording nine studio albums with two different lead singers: China Forbes and Storm Large.

Perla Batalla, is a GRAMMY nominated singer and songwriter. Formerly a Leonard Cohen backup singer, Batalla consistently earns critical acclaim for her unique voice, and culture-merging compositions. She sings in both English and Spanish. The Los Angeles Times calls her "musically adventurous," and "a born storyteller, with a rambunctious sense of humor."

Said Orr, "Perla Batalla has performed on our stage, numerous times, and the audience has loved her, every time. We're looking forward to having her be with us, again, as part of our Anniversary show."

The evening will honor the commitment of the Eccles family, as well as leaders in the community who worked to build the joint-use facility.

Tickets to the 20th Anniversary Celebration with Pink Martini are available at parkcityinstitute.org, or by calling the box office at 435-655-3114. Individual tickets for this performance are, Sapphire: $50, Ruby: $100, Amethyst: $200. Amethyst tickets include an invitation to the after-show party. Call the Box Office at 435-655-3114 for more information. The Box Office is located within the Eccles Center (1750 Kearns Boulevard, Park City). Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from noonthrough show time, on the day of a performance.

Park City Institute is a non-profit organization, dedicated to bringing world-class performances and new ideas to the community. Since 1998, PCI has presented internationally renowned and cutting edge musicians, actors, authors, comedians, dancers, speakers, and film, at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts (a joint-use facility with the Park City School District). The organization will embark on its 15th season of headliner concerts at Deer Valley® Resort, next summer. PCI is dedicated to introducing young people to the arts through free student outreach workshops, shows and demonstrations. Since 2010, PCI has offered a free, after-school literacy program to students in grades one through 12 at the thinky and fun tutoring hub, The Mega-Genius Supply Store and IQ HQ (located at 435 Swede Alley).

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