Advertisement

Steinbrenner's brainchild, Children's Holiday Concert, celebrates 25 years

 
Dr. Karla Ledoux performs the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy during the 25th Annual Children’s Holiday Concert on Tuesday at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
Dr. Karla Ledoux performs the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy during the 25th Annual Children’s Holiday Concert on Tuesday at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
Published Dec. 4, 2013

Tuesday was a special day for the annual Children's Holiday Concert, which took place at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. The event was created 25 years ago by the late New York Yankees owner George M. Steinbrenner to bring the holiday spirit to at-risk and underprivileged children on both sides of the bay. In that spirit, the concert was the first of three. The other two will be Dec. 17 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater and Dec. 19 at Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. Tuesday's concert featured performances by the Florida Orchestra and Ballet Theater International, as well as a visit from Santa Claus. The event gives at-risk and underprivileged children the opportunity to visit a Broadway-style theater and watch a classical concert, holiday dancers and performers.