The Farm Show Complex and Expo Center will be transformed into an elegant ballroom and will also feature sports lounges and sky bars. The ball will be co-hosted by Inaugural Committee Chairs Bob Asher and Laura Ellsworth.
“This is a celebration of Pennsylvania’s democracy and a new beginning in Harrisburg,” said Asher. “We look forward to sharing this special night with all Pennsylvanians.”
With a strong focus on Pennsylvania products, the menu will feature cuisine from each region of the state. The JDK Group based in Camp Hill, is creating menus and food stations recognizing the five regions that make Pennsylvania’s cuisine so unique. From pierogies, to cheese steaks, mushrooms from the Southeast and deconstructed pot pies, there will be something for everyone.
"The ball was intentionally designed to showcase the products and talents of Pennsylvanians,” said Ellsworth. “The food, beverages and musical entertainment all have a unique Pennsylvania flair."
Sports lounges will be set up in the ballroom. Each lounge will be different and will highlight the many sports teams, both professional and collegiate, from across Pennsylvania. Guests can play video games and other sports-related games in the lounges. Sky bars will be located above the ballroom floor. Each will have its own unique theme and will sit four feet above the ground.
The entertainment for the Inaugural Ball comes from across Pennsylvania. Each brings its own style of music to entertain ball goers.
The performers for the Inaugural Ball are listed below:
Buzz Jones Big Band: The Buzz Jones Big Band performs masterpieces of the Great American Songbook, swing music, blues, Latin, jazz and fusion. The band performs at jazz festivals, conventions, ballroom dances and has toured Europe three times.
Buzz Jones is a Professor of Music at Gettysburg College. He has directed the college jazz ensemble for twenty years and led the group of four tours of Europe.
Lebanon Valley College Jazz Ensemble: Both Governor -elect Tom Corbett and his wife Susan graduated from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa. So having The Lebanon Valley College Jazz Ensemble playing at the Inaugural Ball has special meaning for both of them. The band is under the direction of Associate Professor Tom Strohman and it has been part of LVC since 1960. It currently does an annual tour at numerous schools in the Mid-Atlantic region and performs public concerts off campus.
Cityscape Orchestra: The Cityscape Orchestra is the creative brain child of Musician and Producer Nick Dialoiso. His 22 piece orchestra vision has received praise from celebrities like Jerome Bettis, music legends like Smokey Robinson and everyday listeners of all ages. Featuring four lead singers, they perform full orchestral arrangements of a diverse range of hits including Beyonce, Sinatra, The Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, Michael Buble, Journey, The Beatles, Earth Wind and Fire and even Lady Gaga.
Nominated for numerous Emmy awards, lead Singer Peter Hewlett has recorded and performed with music legends that include: Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler, Carly Simon and Andrew Lloyd Weber.
Scott Anderson is an Emmy Award-winning composer, music director and producer. Scott received an Emmy award in 2006 for his work composing the score for the award-winning documentary “Lessons from The Holocaust."
Conductor Greg Macaluso recently moved back from Las Vegas, where he was a top arranger and conductor and faculty member at the University of Nevada.
Singer Maria Becoates Bey graduated from Point Park College with a BA degree in Theatre Arts. In addition to being voted Performer of the Year, Maria has appeared in Musicals such as The Wiz, Tin Types, Constant Star, The Goodbye Girl, Beehive, Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Singer Lisa Bleil has been nominated for numerous Emmy awards and was featured on the PBS series "All-Star Holiday Jam" as well as the nationally televised "Rock, Rhythm and Doo-wop" and "Red, White and Rock," performing with Frankie Avalon, Connie Francis and Frankie Valli, among others.
Singer/Songwriter Juan Vasquez rounds out the four singer front line with an amazingly high vocal range that commands the attention of the audience for thrillers like “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
Doors open for the Inaugural Ball at 7:30pm on January 18th. Tickets are available to anyone who would like to attend. They are $150 per person, which includes complimentary food and beverages. Tickets can be purchased online.
