Soka Performing Arts Center is proud to be participating in an exciting new interactive fundraiser hosted by South Coast Plaza. South Coast Plaza ushers in the season of giving with the first annual Pavilion of Holiday Trees, a spectacular exhibit and auction Nov. 14- Dec. 4 featuring more than 30 one-of-a-kind trees decorated by Southern California, national and international nonprofit arts institutions.
The inspiration for Soka Performing Arts Center’s tree, “music is the universal language,” aligns with our mission to engage, educate, and elevate the human spirit. We accomplish this through thoughtful programming which is of the highest quality, culturally diverse, educational and relevant. We serve the students and faculty of Soka University of America, and the entire Orange County community, offering a unique opportunity to experience live music like never before. Listen. Feel. Transform.
Some tree ornaments will include valuable gifts such as VIP tickets, fine dining gift cards and complimentary subscriptions. The holiday trees will be on view for free to the public 11 a.m.-7 p.m. from Nov. 14 to Dec. 4 at The Pavilion, an open-air space at South Coast Plaza’s north parking structure. COVID-related safety measures will be observed at The Pavilion and throughout South Coast Plaza. Whether or not they attend in person, the public will have an opportunity to bid on the trees in a charity auction at SCPARTS.givesmart.com, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the corresponding organization. The trees will be delivered to the winners in time for holiday celebrations.
South Coast Plaza will also present three awards for outstanding design selected by a panel of judges: $2,500 for the third prize winner; $5,000 for the second prize winner and $10,000 for the grand prize winner. The winners will be announced on Dec. 4 in person at The Pavilion and on South Coast Plaza’s social media.
Prominent arts institutions participating in this charitable event include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, South Coast Repertory, The Colburn School, and more. American Friends of the Louvre (AFL), Lang Lang Musical Foundation (LLMF) and The American Dance Movement will showcase specially designed trees. The AFL tree will feature decorations inspired by the Mona Lisa and other works of art at The Louvre, while the LLMF ornaments will include signed piano keys.
“The arts have the power to provide a respite and lift up people during challenging times,” said Debra Gunn Downing, spokeswoman for South Coast Plaza. “Now more than ever, arts organizations need our help as they cope with the profound impact of the pandemic. The Pavilion of Holiday Trees will be a joyful attraction that brings the community together for this important and timely cause.”
The Pavilion of Holiday Trees reflects South Coast Plaza’s longstanding tradition of arts philanthropy, including support for institutions such as Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Carnegie Hall, American Ballet Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Orange County Museum of Art, and more. The following organizations will decorate a holiday tree available for auction:
- American Dance Movement
- American Friends of the Louvre
- American Orange County Chinese Federation
- Ballet Pacifica
- Beverly Sills Chapter, The Guilds of Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- Boston Court Pasadena
- Bowers Museum
- The Center Docents, Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- Center Stars Chapter, The Guilds of Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- Chance Theater
- Chinese American Museum
- Colburn School
- Deaf West Theatre
- East West Players
- Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles
- Irvine Barclay Theatre
- La Jolla Playhouse
- Lang Lang International Music Foundation
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Luminario Ballet of Los Angeles
- Musco Center for the Arts
- Newport Beach Film Festival
- Orange County Museum of Art
- Orange County Music & Dance
- Orange County School of the Arts
- Pacific Chorale
- Pacific Symphony
- Pageant of the Masters/Festival of Arts
- Pas de Deux Chapter, The Guilds of Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- PBS SoCal
- Philharmonic Society of Orange County
- Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- Soka Performing Arts Center
- South Coast Repertory
- Vietnamese-American Arts & Letters Association
The Pavilion of Trees is produced by South Coast Plaza with Baruch/Gayton Productions.
