BravoBravo! Fundraiser Finds New Successful Paths to Sponsorship in Tough Times!

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DETROIT, Michigan, March 20, 2009...In a time of funding cuts that are threatening the very existence of many of Metro Detroit's arts organizations, a talented group of over 30 young professionals are taking the lead on filling the funding gaps left by state and corporate sponsorship budget cuts. The young professional's group of the Michigan Opera Theatre Volunteer Association is hoping to offset recent funding cuts by Detroit's auto companies with the 10th annual BravoBravo! fundraising event. BravoBravo! will take place on Friday, June 5th, 2009 from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Detroit Opera House (1526 Broadway, Detroit, MI).

“Raising money for the arts has never been so important and BravoBravo! makes it easy for the average person our age to make a difference while having fun doing it,” says BravoBravo! co-chair, Carmen Bell Ross, who, along with event co-chair Christina DiBartolomeo, have been involved in the annual event for over five years. This year the organization has taken a new approach to gaining the needed sponsorship dollars to put on the event. “While we know sponsorship dollars are ultimately what we are looking for to help the DOH, if we can partner with companies to get product or services donated, that ultimately assists with the event coming in under budget allowing a larger percentage of the funds raise to go directly back to the great work they do.” said DiBartolomeo.

Last year's BravoBravo! event sold out with a record crowd of over 2,000 young professionals partying for a cause. BravoBravo! has become one of the most talked-about and highlighted Detroit fundraisers of the year, as revelers enjoy the best sights, sounds, and tastes of Detroit. BravoBravo! offers 5 indoor areas and an outdoor tent for taking in local music acts, lounging, and noshing on food from Detroit's best restaurants and bars. 10th Anniversary BravoBravo! guests will discover the theater's main floor covered with a platform joined to the stage to create a large lounge area for mingling and dancing. Unique furnishings to complete the transformation from theater to posh nightclub will be provided by Colonial Party & Event Rental.

Sponsors for this year’s BravoBravo! include Cintron Energy Group, Boyle Burdett, Clark Hill PLC, The Detroit Jaycees, Foley Lardner LLP, McDonald’s, MGM Grand Detroit, Levitation, Peachtree Investment, Politically Smart. Supporting sponsors include; Allegra Print & Imaging Ren Cen, Bonnie Peck of Opus One to Go, Colonial Party & Event Rental, Commercial Maintenance Inc, Crave the Sunset, The Display Group, Eclipse Creative, Farbman Group/NAI Farbman, Michigan Green Safe Products, Postnet, Recy-Clean, Source Audio Systems and Staging Optics.

Tickets for this year's event are $85 in advance, and will go on sale April 1, 2009. Tickets will be available in person at the Detroit Opera House box office, by phone at (313) 237-SING, or online at www.MichiganOpera.org. Attendees must be over 21. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, please contact Michelle DeLand for sponsorship information at (313) 237-3402 or mdeland@motopera.org. More information, including entertainment details, will be announced at a later date. For a video preview, photos, and more information on BravoBravo! 2009 please visit www.bravobravo.org.

Contact

Rebekah Johnson
(313) 237-3403
rjohnson@motopera.org

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