Gala Event at Hotel Effie on Nov. 14 benefits Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its Music Education Mission

DESTIN, FL  – Sinfonia Gulf Coast continues its stellar 20th anniversary season by presenting An Evening with the Legendary Chaka Khan, a gala celebration on Friday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Juniper Ballroom at Hotel Effie.

“The Gala Event supports Sinfonia’s most important work in the community: bringing quality music to school children at no cost to them or their schools,” says Sinfonia Gulf Coast founder and music director Demetrius Fuller. “We are thrilled to celebrate Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s 20th Anniversary of bringing the highest quality orchestra, award-winning artists and music education to Northwest Florida.”

With a career spanning more than five decades, Chaka Khan has delivered timeless hits like I’m Every Woman, Ain’t Nobody, Tell Me Something Good, and I Feel for You. A 10-time Grammy Award winner with 22 nominations, she is lauded for her versatility across R&B, jazz, pop, rock, gospel, and more.

General admission tickets are from $250 per person. The evening will include valet service, cocktail reception, dinner, table wine service, gratuities, cash bar, silent and live auctions, and a commanding live performance by Chaka Khan. Full tables seating 10 are also available for purchase.

All proceeds benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s mission: music education and community engagement in Northwest Florida, which includes musicians/guest artists in schools, free orchestra concerts, bus transportation for students, Sinfonia Youth Orchestra program, Arts in Medicine initiative with Sacred Heart Hospital, and Link Up concerts for third through fifth graders in partnership with Carnegie Hall.

Sinfonia is committed to entertaining, educating, and inspiring the community through imaginative and innovative musical programming. Its goal is to enrich and expand the traditional orchestral experience through unique artistic disciplines and collaborations, enhancing Northwest Florida’s cultural vitality.

Purchase tickets at SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or by calling (850) 460-8800.

CALENDAR LISTING What: Sinfonia Gulf Coast Gala Event: An Evening with the Legendary Chaka Khan When: Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 | 6 p.m. Where: Juniper Ballroom | Hotel Effie

SAVE THE DATES: 2025–2026 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS On the heels of Bernadette Peters’ unforgettable Cabaret at Seagar’s performance Sinfonia’s 20th anniversary season continues with an exciting lineup of performances and events. Sinfonia’s Gala Event returns to Hotel Effie on Friday, Nov. 14 with the incomparable Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan.

The Toast ’n Jam Sunday brunch series is back with Broadway’s best: Ann Hampton Callaway & Liz Callaway in Broadway Holiday the “Calla-way” on December 7 and Nicholas Rodriguez in Sincerely, Sondheim on February 8.

Main Season Concerts include Sinfonia’s beloved Holiday Pops Spectacular (December 13); Simply the Best: The Music of Tina Turner (January 8); Classical Connections featuring the world premiere of a new work by Howard Levy, harmonica and piano (February 7); and the Film in Concert will be Steven Spielberg’s thrilling 1975 classic thriller, Jaws (May 15). These events are at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, except Classical Connections, which will be held at Destin High School.

Sinfonia’s signature fundraiser, Crescendo! 2026, kicks off Friday, Jan. 23 at Hotel Effie, followed by Vintner Dinners on Friday, Feb. 27 and the Main Event on Sunday, March 1 in the Magnolia Ballroom at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Also on the calendar: the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra Winter Concert (Sunday, Dec. 14) and Spring Concert (Sunday, May 3) at Destin High School.

Follow Sinfonia Gulf Coast on Facebook and Instagram and sign up for the free e-newsletter at SinfoniaGulfCoast.org to stay current on the season.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or call (850) 460-8800. To learn how you can sponsor or volunteer, email Sinfonia at info@sinfoniagulfcoast.org or call (850) 460-8800. To donate, visit SinfoniaGulfCoast.org.

ABOUT SINFONIA GULF COAST Sinfonia Gulf Coast was founded in 2005 on Florida’s Northwest Gulf Coast with the mission of redefining the symphony experience. Under the guidance of founder and Music Director Demetrius Fuller and a dedicated board of directors, the nonprofit orchestra is celebrating its 20th season of innovative musical programming, designed to entertain, educate, and inspire the community. Since its founding, Sinfonia Gulf Coast has presented more than 750 concerts and events that have reached over 575,000 patrons, has collaborated with numerous nonprofits and businesses throughout the community, and has reached more than 250,000 children through its Sinfonia Guest Artists in the Schools program/music education outreach initiatives. For more information on Sinfonia Gulf Coast, visit SinfoniaGulfCoast.org, call (850) 460-8800 or e-mail info@sinfoniagulfcoast.org.

SINFONIA GULF COAST PRESENTS AN EVENING WITH THE LEGENDARY CHAKA KHAN AS PART OF 20TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON