Cleveland, Ohio -
Earth Day Coalition proudly presents the 11th Annual Instrumental Evening for the Earth. The black-tie optional event takes place on Wednesday, November 12, 2008. 6.00 - 9.30 pm at the Westshore Unitarian Universalist Church in Rocky River.

Daniel McKelway and Lembi Veskimets of the world-famous Cleveland Orchestra welcome back internationally renowned pianist Hyunsoon Whang, McMahon Endowed Chair of Music from Cameron University, for an unforgettable performance of trios from Mozart, Schuman and Bruch.

Prior to this intimate, candle-lit performance guests will be treated to a gourmet assortment of hors' d' oeuvres, desserts, coffee, wine and micro-brewed beer from 13 area restaurants highlighting local, sustainable and organic foods. Catering sponsors include: The Market Café and Wine Bar, Three Birds, Tartine’s Bistro, Blue Point Grille, Crop Bistro and Bar, Sweet Melissa’s, Gypsy Bean, Don’s Lighthouse, Whole Foods Market, and Pearl of the Orient. Beer provided by Great Lakes Brewing Company. Wine compliments of EOS Estate Winery. Coffee and tea come by way of The Coffee Station.

Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on over 140 earthy-friendly auction items, services, vacations, and works of art.

Earth Day Coalition strives to minimize the ecological impact of all our special events. In partnership with our generous sponsors, Earth Day Coalition has worked very hard to make this evening’s celebration as people and planet friendly as possible. Here are some of the ways we are working to this end:

• All electricity used during tonight’s event is being offset with Renewable Energy Credits through a generous donation by the Amerada Hess Corporation.

• EOS Estate Winery, who has generously donated the wine for tonight’s event, powers their entire wine making operation with sun-tracking solar panels that cover over two acres of their vineyard.

• All plates, cups and other disposable dinnerware are 100% biodegradable through a donation from USCompo Solutions. Designed to meet the needs of today’s solid waste challenges, these items break down naturally into organically rich soil.

• Students from Garrett Morgan High School will be composting food waste and dinnerware from the event using vermicomposting techniques researched during their participation in Earth Day Coalition’s Student Environmental Congress Program.

Auction and Reception will be followed by the Great Lakes Brewing Company Challenge. Funds raised during the Challenge will be matched by event sponsors including: Great Lakes Brewing Company, The Jacobs Foundation, Mustard Seed Market & Café, Dominion Foundation, American Honda and Motorcars Honda, Congregation of St. Joseph, North East Ohio Regional Sewer District, Nelson Talbott Foundation, Amerada Hess Corporation, The Schiferl Family, Lubrizol Foundation, Medical Mutual of Ohio, and National City Bank.

Other sponsors of the event include: WCLV 104.9 Classical FM. Balanced Living Magazine, Cleveland Scene, EarthWatch Ohio, and The Cleveland Orchestra.
This year’s event will be hosted by Rebecca Reynolds of Green Clean and Planet Green, Maggie Busser of Plan It Forward, and Bill O'Connell of WCLV 104.9 FM Radio.

All event proceeds will benefit the Climate Change Solutions initiatives and year-round environmental education and leadership programs of Earth Day Coalition. 

Walk-ins are welcome, but seating is limited. Tickets are $75 per person. Register online at www.earthdaycoalition.org or call 216.281.6468.