The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is pleased to present The Art of Christmas on Friday, December 5, 2014 in Bill Heard Theatre at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. The annual holiday pops concert will feature live performance painter, David Garibaldi, as seen on America’s Got Talent. 

Prior to the concert, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Santa Claus will greet and take pictures with children. In addition to pictures with Santa, the CSO is excited to partner with two local organizations for the holiday family concert: the Gallery on Tenth (formerly Joseph House Gallery) and Open Door Community House. Two local artists, Roseanne Peters and Yuryi Totskiy, from the Gallery on Tenth, will conduct painting demonstrations in the lobby to celebrate The Art of Christmas. Concert goers are encouraged to bring new toys in support of Open Door Community House’s “Sharing Christmas,” which provides the opportunity for poverty-stricken families to shop from the donations for Christmas presents for their children. Patrons may place the toys under Santa’s Christmas tree in the lobby the night of the concert. 

At 7:30 p.m., the concert will commence with the CSO performing holiday favorites such as Deck the Halls and Joy to the World, Ave Maria, and a narration of The Night Before Christmas by Cameron Bean, CSO Executive Director. During the second half of the concert, David Garibaldi will create his paintings on stage with the accompaniment of the orchestra. Tickets for children under 12 years old are $5. Student tickets are available for $10.  Adult tickets range from $22 to $36 and may be purchased at the RiverCenter Box Office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or one hour prior to the performance (enter doors located on Broadway side under covered drive to visit the box office). For more information call the CSO office at 706.323.5059 or visit us online at www.csoga.org.

CSO Music Director and Conductor, George Del Gobbo, is excited to collaborate with performance painter David Garibaldi. This will be Garibaldi’s first performance with a live symphony orchestra. Del Gobbo encourages the community to participate in this exciting and unique performance. Del Gobbo, himself, commented, “Have you ever seen (I can't really say "heard" for obvious reasons) a painter appear as a soloist with a symphony orchestra?  Well, neither have we! Join us for our Family Holiday Concert and we'll have this wonderful experience together. In addition to the painter, Garibaldi, we will offer many of your holiday favorites along with a piece or two that may be less familiar, but will please you nonetheless. And, Santa will be there!  Hey, this concert is fun for the whole family!” 

The Art of Christmas is presented by CB&T, Aflac, Carmike Cinemas, Valley Parent, Sunny 100, Marriott Columbus, WLTZ and GA-Bama The CW.