Nnenna Freelon to Appear at Lucy Daniels Event

Cary, NC— Lucy Daniels Center announces the featured artist and guest chefs for their third annual benefit, Expressions: A Celebration of Food and Art, taking place Friday, October 11, 2013, at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, NC.

This Year’s Event

The benefit brings together The Umstead’s executive chef Scott Crawford and pastry chef Daniel Benjamin with a team of notable guest chefs, who will collaborate to create a meal inspired by the work of acclaimed jazz singer Nnenna Freelon. But the best treat is an appearance by Freelon herself during the meal.

Nnenna Freelon, Featured Performing Artist

Nnenna Freelon,  a six-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer has been praised as “a spell-binding professional, who rivets attention with her glorious, cultivated voice and canny stagecraft.”  She has performed and toured with such distinguished artists as Ray Charles, Ellis Marsalis, Al Jarreau, Aretha Franklin, and Herbie Hancock.

More About the Event 

Guests will enjoy a gourmet multi-course meal inspired by Freelon’s work, masterful wine pairings, and, throughout the evening, discourse from Freelon, Crawford and the chef team on their respective inspirations and crafts. Lucy Daniels Center board of advisors member Michael Olander and his wife, Candace, who serves on the Center’s board of directors, are honorary co-chairs of the event.

“Having attended the first two Expressions benefits, we know what a special event it is,” Michael Olander said. “Because Candace and I share a strong belief in the importance of children’s emotional health to their overall well-being—along with a passion for the arts—we find Expressions to be the perfect event for us to co-chair. We look forward to doing all we can to make this very special event a financial success so the Lucy Daniels Center will be able to do even more to promote the healthy emotional development of young children.”

Ms. Freelon, who is deeply committed to arts education, will also provide a special opportunity for students of the Lucy Daniels School: a hands-on introduction to jazz music, with tips for parents on how to use music to connect with their children and explore emotions together.

90% Receive Reduced Tuition

Through fund raising events such as Expressions and the Lucy Daniels Book Club,  the Center’s Family Support Fund, makes it possible for families to be able to afford the care provided at the Lucy Daniels School located here in Cary. Nearly 90% of families pay less than the full cost of treatment, and one family in four receives services for free.

Proceeds from Expressions 2013 will benefit the Center’s life-changing child mental health and education programs.  Tickets will go on sale August 19. Last year’s event raised more than $97,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, and the evening’s silent and live auctions.

Event Info

Expressions: A Celebration of Food & Art
October 11, 2013
The Umstead Hotel & Spa
Benefiting the Lucy Daniels Center
Tickets on sale August 19

More information is available at  Lucy Daniels Center.

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Phono from Nnenna.com.