Media Releases

Imaginarium : The Annual Festival Gala at Meadowood Napa Valley To Feature Host Wayne Brady and Cirque du Soleil

Raising funds for arts education and access to the arts for all

May 15, 2016, Napa Valley, CA - Festival Napa Valley is pleased to announce that Emmy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated entertainer Wayne Brady will star as host and emcee of Imaginarium: The Annual Festival Gala. Fresh from his leading role in the Broadway sensation Kinky Boots, and famed for TV’s improvisational series Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the actor, singer and comedian will conduct the Sunday, July 17 festivities from the dramatic tented stage on the fairway lawn at Meadowood Napa Valley.

Artists from the magical world of “O” by Cirque du Soleil will weave in and out of the evening, treating guests to their unique style of entertainment. Cirque du Soleil, the largest theatrical producer in the world, is known for its artistic, acrobatic driven-shows.

A multicourse feast, prepared by Meadowood's estate chef, Alejandro Ayala, will be paired with select vintages from Bounty Hunter, Darioush, Twomey and Gallo Signature Series. The evening will culminate with auctioneer Fritz Hatton conducting a high-energy live auction featuring a dozen once-in-a-lifetime luxury lots.

To date, the Annual Festival Gala has raised more than $4 million to support Festival Napa Valley's mission to make the arts accessible to all, becoming a leading funder of arts education in Napa County public schools and providing local residents with free and affordable access to performances of the highest international quality.

Festival Napa Valley celebrates its 11th Season, July 15- 24, 2016. For the schedule of events or to purchase passes, visit festivalnapavalley.org, call 888.337.6272 or visit the Festival Box Office between 10 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday, 1850 Soscol Ave., Suite 205 in Napa, CA.

About: Festival Napa Valley is committed to enriching the cultural vitality of the community and making the arts accessible to all. Blending the beauty and bounty of Napa Valley with the very finest performing arts, the festival pairs world-class performances with culinary and wine pursuits staged in iconic wine country settings. The annual summer celebration of the art of life has transformed Napa Valley into a cultural destination.

Festival Napa Valley is presented by Napa Valley Festival Association, a nonprofit public benefit corporation governed by a board of prominent vintners and local leaders. More than 200 artists, wineries, resorts, theaters, restaurants and vintners participate each year.

 

Media Contacts:

Tom Fuller & Monty Sander, Fuller & Sander Communications
monty@fullerandsander.com, 707-253-8503
tom@fullerandsander.com, 707-253-0868