Two special events took place during the weekend. A patron's dinner dance provided fine dining, entertainment, and dancing under the stars, and Big Band music brought attendees to their feet at Swing Dance Saturday Night.

Black & White Ball
Returns to
The Civic Center

he San Francisco Symphony's 1999 Black & White Ball made a triumphant return to the newly renovated San Francisco Civic Center last June after spending several years at the Embarcadero waterfront. Proceeds from the Ball benefit the San Francisco Symphony and its community outreach and educational programs. An estimated 12,800 revelers crowded into events throughout the Performing Arts Center, including Davies Symphony Hall, the War Memorial Opera House, the Veterans Building, the California State Building, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and the newly remodeled City Hall. In addition, several tents were set up throughout the eight city block area. In all, there were 12 stages at nine different venues.

     Piedmont Piano Company in Oakland provided nine Yamaha pianos, including two CFIIIS concert grand pianos which were utilized in performances by artists of all musical genres.

     The biennial black tie fundraiser gala featured more than 50 musical acts, including Jefferson Starship, Joan Baez, Elvin Bishop, Jerry Lee Lewis, Todd Rundgren, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, the Isley Brothers, members of the Grateful Dead, the Walt Tolleson Orchestra, Tommy Castro Band, Spearhead, Dave Mason, Shana Morrison, Joe Louis Walker & The Boss Talkers, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, Wayne Hancock, Pete Escovedo Orchestra, George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars, Eric Burdon and the New Animals Band and swing stars New Morty Show and Vice Grip & The Ambassadors of Swing.

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     Also appearing were members of the San Francisco Symphony, with Yamaha artist Michael Tilson Thomas conducting. A special "Bash Before the Ball" party was sponsored by Symphonix, the Symphony's young professional league.

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