Filmmaker Robert Townsend and Maestro Riccardo Muti will be honored at the Chicago West Community Music Center’s (CWCMC) 20th Anniversary Cabaret Gala on June 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe in Chicago.
Townsend, who grew up on the West Side of Chicago, is best known for directing the films, Hollywood Shuffle, Eddie Murphy Raw, The Meteor Man and for starring, directing and co-writing the 1991 classic film, The Five Heartbeats.
Muti is the Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and has dedicated much time and effort in training young musicians with the Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra, the Riccardo Muti Italian Opera Academy for young conductors and support of the CSO’s African-American Network.
Merri Dee will serve as program emcee for the benefit gala. She was the Illinois Lottery’s First Lady on WGN-TV and has raised millions of dollars for the United Negro College Fund and supported several children’s charities.
The talented CWCMC students and the CWCMC Orchestra will perform.
Howard Sandifer, founder of CWCMC says, “Please join us and support a program that changes lives, families and community through music.”
Tickets are $150 general admission; $250 VIP.
For ticket info, go to cwcmc.org or phone 708 386-5315.
