On Dec. 5, the McCallum Theatre hosted its annual gala to honor community leaders Lori and Aubrey Serfling and showcase singer-actor Josh Groban, who captivated the audience with an emotional performance.
Robert McConnaughey, president and CFO of the McCallum Theatre, thanked patrons for their support. “We raised over $1 million to further our efforts as the desert’s premier performing arts center.”
In a separate address, Chairman and CEO Garry Kief said: “These contributions help us serve nearly 40,000 students through McCallum’s art education programs.”
In addition to performing arts shows, the McCallum’s cultural enrichment programs serve thousands of local schoolchildren with arts education initiatives and the public with international and local talent competitions.
The gala recognized honorees Lori and Aubrey Serfling, a beloved couple in the community who equally share a passion for volunteerism. Together, the couple has supported more than 30 local organizations, including Eisenhower Health, ACT for MS, Guide Dogs of the Desert, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Animal Samaritans, Boo2Bullying, Desert Arc, the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival and the McCallum Theatre.
Lori currently serves on the board of directors for Desert Arc. She also serves as co-chair of the Animal Samaritans Men of the Desert Fashion Show and Luncheon. Aubrey currently serves on the board of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center and the McCallum Theatre. Additionally, he served as chief executive officer of Eisenhower Medical Center (now Eisenhower Health) for 20 years before retiring in March 2021.
Audience members enjoyed a heartwarming tribute video from friends and organizations the Serflings have supported through their volunteerism.
After the tribute, Groban took the stage. With support from his ensemble, he gave a dynamic performance with songs like “You Raise Me Up” and “Over the Rainbow.”
During his performance, Groban echoed Kief’s sentiments about the importance of arts education initiatives from community partners like the McCallum Theatre, as he was a beneficiary of similar programs that opened the door for his singing career at an early age.
The McCallum Theatre gives special recognition to platinum, gold, and silver circle sponsors of the 2024 gala: Thanks to the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, Lisa Hofmann, Harold Matzner, Barry Manilow and Garry Kief, Jan Salta, Rebecca Benaroya, Ron and Sylvia Gregoire, Janet Geary and John Miller, Brooke Koehler, Suzy Leprino and Gary Albrecht, Mary Vaughn Lester, and Jack and Maggy Simon for their support.
Learn more about the McCallum Theatre at mccallumtheatre.org.
Onnissia Harries is the manager of development communications at the McCallum Theatre. She is also an emerging artist who explores her Afro-Caribbean heritage and Black womanhood through bold, striking, figurative paintings.