Since 1968, Beyond Baroque has nurtured generations of poets, writers, and artists. Join us on October 21 at The Beyond Gala in support of that ongoing legacy. We'll honor some of the people whose talent and generosity have helped build Beyond Baroque and the wider poetry community over decades. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, entertainment, a silent auction, and more. MC'd by Vanessa Estelle Williams ("Soul Food”), the program features our 2023 honorees and performances by folk-rock artists Tom Freund and Victoria Williams and poet bridgette bianca. Celebrate our 55th anniversary! Scroll for tickets and more!

HONOREES
George Drury Smith Award Amy Gerstler Lynne Thompson	Special Recognition Amanda Gorman Jim Krusoe	Distinguished Service Award Hiram Sims Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo	Alexandra Garrett Award for Service to Beyond Baroque Bob Branaman Ed Ruscha

About the Honorees

George Drury Smith Award
Amy Gerstler - Poet
Lynne Thompson - Poet, Los Angeles Poet Laureate (2021-2022)

Distinguished Service Award
Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo - Poet, Executive Director, Women Who Submit
Hiram Sims - Poet, Founder, Sims Library of Poetry

Alexandra Garrett Award for Service to Beyond Baroque
Bob Branaman - Artist, Beyond Baroque Artist-In-Residence Emeritus
Ed Ruscha - Artist (accepting award via video at The Beyond Gala)

Special Recognition
Amanda Gorman - U.S. Presidential Inaugural Poet
(accepting award via video at The Beyond Gala)
Jim Krusoe - Novelist, Beyond Baroque Founding Artistic Director

FEATURED PERFORMERS
Vanessa Estelle Williams Host/MC	bridgette bianca	Tom Freund	Victoria Williams

The Beyond Gala

Saturday, October 21, 2023
Playa Studios, 11260 Playa Court, Culver City
5:30 PM Cocktails, Entertainment, Silent Auction
6:30 PM Awards, Dinner, Entertainment, Silent Auction

Tickets

$200 - Gala Ticket
One (1) seat at The Beyond Gala. Includes: cocktails, dinner, awards, entertainment, live silent auction & raffle, and more.

$50 - Virtual Ticket
One (1) ticket for livestream access to The Beyond Gala awards program, entertainment, and live silent auction.

$1,600 - Table for 8
One table with 8 (total) seats at The Beyond Gala. Your name or organization will be featured on the table.

Become a Sponsor

By sponsoring The Beyond Gala, you help make year-round programming at Beyond Baroque possible for the next generation of writers, poets, and artists. All sponsorships are tax-deductible. To learn more, please contact Michele Raphael at michele@beyondbaroque.org.

Sponsorship Tiers

$500 - Emerging

Sponsor benefits include:
• On-stage mention during The Beyond Gala
• One (1) Gala ticket to The Beyond Gala
• Recognition in The Beyond Gala program
• Two (2) free memberships at the Foundation level, guaranteeing free admission most events throughout the year
• One (1) invitation to private donors party
• Recognition on website

$1,000 - Debut

Sponsor benefits include:
• On-stage mention during The Beyond Gala
• Two (2) Gala Tickets to The Beyond Gala
• Recognition in The Beyond Gala program
• Two (2) free memberships at the Foundation level, guaranteeing free admission most events throughout the year
• Two (2) invitations to private donors party
• Recognition on website

$2,500 - Fellow

Sponsor benefits include:
• On-stage thank you during The Beyond Gala
• One Preferred Table for eight (8) Guests at The Beyond Gala
• Half-page ad in The Beyond Gala program
• Recognition on donor plaque in Beyond Baroque lobby
• Two (2) free memberships at the Foundation level, guaranteeing free admission most events throughout the year
• Two (2) invitations to private donors party

$5,000 - Curator

Sponsor benefits include:
• On-stage thank you during The Beyond Gala
• One (1) Preferred Table for eight (8) Guests at The Beyond Gala
• Half-page ad in The Beyond Gala program
• Recognition on donor plaque in Beyond Baroque lobby
• Four (4) free year-long memberships at the Foundation level, guaranteeing free admission most events throughout the year
• Two (2) invitations to private donors party
• Hyperlinked logo on website for one (1) month
• Company spotlight in Beyond Baroque e-newsletter
• Acknowledgement in social media posts (4x)

$10,000 - Laureate

Sponsor benefits include:
• Beyond Baroque Pop-Up Bookstore Sponsor Rights at The Beyond Gala
• On-stage thank you by host during The Beyond Gala
• One (1) Premium Table for eight (8) Guests at The Beyond Gala
• Half-page ad in The Beyond Gala program
• Recognition on donor plaque in Beyond Baroque lobby
• Four (4) free year-long memberships at the Foundation level, guaranteeing free admission most events throughout the year
• Two (2) invitations to private donors party website for 1 year
• Hyperlinked logo on website for one (1) month
• Company spotlight in Beyond Baroque e-newsletter
• Acknowledgement in social media posts (4x)

$15,000 - Icon

Sponsor benefits include:
• Premier Cocktail Reception Sponsor Rights
• One (1) Premier Table for eight (8) Guests at The Beyond Gala
• Speaker introduction opportunity during The Beyond Gala
• Full-page ad in The Beyond Gala program
• Recognition on donor plaque in Beyond Baroque lobby
• Use of the Beyond Baroque Garden for one (1) free event
• Six (6) free memberships at the Foundation level, guaranteeing free admission most events throughout the year
• Two (2) invitations to private donors party
• Hyperlinked logo on website for one (1) month
• Company spotlight in Beyond Baroque e-newsletter
• Acknowledgement in social media posts (4x)

$25,000 - Presenting Sponsor

Sponsor benefits include:
• The Beyond Gala Program Presenting Sponsor Rights
• One Premier Table for eight (8) Guests at The Beyond Gala
• On-stage thank you by host during The Beyond Gala
• Logo on The Beyond Gala invitation
• Full-page ad in The Beyond Gala Program
• Exclusive, one-of-a-kind, Literary Venice tour with Beyond Baroque Executive Director
• Recognition on donor plaque in Beyond Baroque lobby
• Use of Beyond Baroque Theater, Courtyard, and Garden for one (1) event
• Ten (10) free year-long Beyond Baroque memberships at the Foundation level, guaranteeing free admission most events throughout the year
• Four (4) invitations to our private donors party
• Company spotlight in Beyond Baroque e-newsletter
• Hyperlinked logo on website for three (3) months
• Acknowledgement in social media posts (4x)

Advertise in Our Program

Congratulate the awardees or showcase your business by placing an ad in The Beyond Gala program book.

Participate in Our Auction

The Beyond Gala silent auction will feature an array of art, exclusive experiences, entertainment and sports packages, food and wine, hospitality and travel, literary endeavors, and more. The auction will be online prior to the The Beyond Gala and will be live at the event.

To learn about advertising in the program book or donating to the auction, please contact Michele Raphael at michele@beyondbaroque.org.

Gala Goal

Help us meet The Beyond Gala goal of raising a historic $155,000 in honor of Beyond Baroque's 55th anniversary.

Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors!

Anonymous
George Drury Smith
California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick
The Robert Lemelson Foundation
Susan Hayden + Steve Hochman
Bianca Ryan-Lopez
Rolland Vasin
Antonieta Villamil

TICKETS