From left to right, Chris Lawrie of Landscape Specialties, Dawn Swope of Community Music School, Greg Shook of Essex Savings Bank, Pearl Twirl Event Chairman Monique Heller, Community Music School student Giovanna Parnoff and Mary Tomassetti of Landscape Specialties try out props for the Pearl Twirl 30th anniversary gala.

The Community Music School will be celebrating 30 years of building community with music, drinks and savory bites befitting the milestone occasion.  The Pearl Twirl: A Swellegant Affair will be held at the Lyme At Association on Saturday, April 20, from 6 p.m. onward.

Since its inception, the school has grown from five instructors teaching 40 students to 30 instructors teaching over 500 students of all ages through private and group lessons, instrumental and voice ensembles, orchestras, music therapy, special events, and summer programs.

Presented by Landscape Specialties, The Pearl Twirl: A Swellegant Affair, will exemplify this rich history of growth and accomplishment while raising funds to support scholarships, music therapy services and community outreach.

Pearl Twirlers can look forward to a cocktail party on the lawn of the Lyme Art Association (LAA) from 6 to 7:30 p.m., featuring Swing Era music performed by CMS faculty, elegant hors d’oeuvres prepared by River Tavern, fine wine provided by Angelini Wine, a fun photo booth, and a silent and live auction of exciting and special items by radio personality and local resident Damon Scott.

Then at 7:30 p.m., an Artful Patron Dinner will be enjoyed inside the LAA galleries, featuring a four-course dinner prepared by Chef Jonathan Rapp of River Tavern and Dinners at the Farm fame and a wine selection from Angelini Wine carefully paired to complement each course served.

Other event sponsors include Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc., Essex Savings Bank, Essex Financial Services; Bogaert Construction; Fusco Corporation; Gowrie Group; Grossman Chevrolet Nissan; Kitchings & Potter; Lewitz, Balosie, Wollack, Rayner & Giroux, LLC; Tower Laboratories, LTD; AJ Shea Construction; Cigna; Clark Group; Dime Bank; Leonardo & Associates PC; Madison Veterinary Hospital;  Professional Planning Group; Periodontics  PC; Reynolds’ Garage & Marine; Ring’s End; Saybrook Ford; Brewer Pilots Point Marina; and Essex Marine.

A variety of ticket options exist as follows:

Sponsor Ticket – $200 per person ($110 is tax-deductible.)  Includes Cocktail Party and Artful Patron Dinner, plus a listing in the event program

Patron Ticket – $150 per person ($60 is tax-deductible.)  Includes Cocktail Party and Artful Patron Dinner.

Friend Ticket – $50 per person ($25 is tax-deductible.)  Includes Cocktail Party Ticket -(limited quantity available)

For tickets, call the school at 860.767.0026 or visit  www.community-music-school.org.