Social Seens... Photography by Gram
The Florida Orchestra Gala
As the only arts organization that bridges Tampa Bay with regular concerts at the Straz Center in Tampa, the Mahaffey Theater
in St. Petersburg and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, The Florida Orchestra performs for more than 200,0000 people at 130
performances a season. The funds raised at the evening TFO gala will help the orchestra enrich the lives of people, while inspiring,
entertaining and educating them with live symphonic music that celebrates the human spirit. This year’s gala featured Broadway
and film star Bernadette Peters, who with the orchestra conducted by Michael Francis, delivered a dazzling performance.
168 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MARCH/APRIL 2020
Cindy Francis and her husband Michael,
the music director of The Florida Orchestra,
spread their charm throughout the gala,
thanking donors for their support.
Elizabeth Elmeer and Bob Schmidt, a member
of the orchestra’s board of directors, enjoyed
Bernadette Peter’s sparkling performance at
the orchestra’s gala at the Mahaffey Theater.
Montserrat and Emmanuel Cerf were
thanked by the orchestra’s music director
Michael Francis at the gala dinner for serving
as co-chairs of this year’s fundraiser.
Liz Smith and her husband Jim Harrison
Smith were individual gold sponsors of the
gala. Jim is a member of the orchestra’s board
of directors.
Marcy and Bob Shuck, who are both
members of The Florida Orchestra’s board of
directors, were gold sponsors of this year’s
gala performance by Bernadette Peters.
Mark and Marianne Mahaffey were gold
sponsors of the gala and believe in the
orchestra’s educational program for students
throughout the Tampa Bay area.