Annual event celebrates youth performers and honors outstanding contributors to the arts community
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PRESS RELEASE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 20, 2026) — Mandarins Performing Arts (MPA) announces the second annual Sacramento Performing Arts Recognition Gala (SPARG), an evening celebrating the Sacramento region's performing arts community and recognizing individuals whose leadership, service, and advocacy have made a lasting impact.
Reflecting MPA's commitment to advancing the performing arts, SPARG brings together artists, educators, community leaders, supporters, and arts enthusiasts for an evening of recognition, entertainment, and inspiration. The event is open to all who share a passion for the arts.
This year's gala will honor six Outstanding Community Contributors for their significant contributions to the performing arts and induct two dedicated volunteers into the Mandarins Performing Arts Hall of Fame for their exceptional service to the organization.
2026 Outstanding Community Contributor Honorees (Listed alphabetically)
Michele Hillen-Noufer — Executive Director, NorCal Arts
Alyssa Paoletti — Immediate Past President, Sacramento Ballet Board of Directors
Santiago Sabado — Chair, Visual & Performing Arts Department, Bella Vista High School
Honorable Darrell Steinberg — Former Mayor of Sacramento
James Wheatley — Founder, Celebration Arts
Paul Zimny — Professional Performer, Designer, and Adjudicator (Dance and Music
2026 Mandarins Performing Arts Hall of Fame Inductees (Listed alphabetically)
Milt Gee — Board Secretary, Mandarins Performing Arts
Cindy Kazee — Board Vice Chair, Mandarins Performing Arts
The evening will also feature performances by several local arts organizations, showcasing the remarkable talent and creativity that thrive throughout the region. Featured performers include NorCal Arts, Sacramento Ballet, the Mandarins Performers, and additional groups to be announced.
"After the tremendous success of last year's inaugural event, we are excited to make the Sacramento Performing Arts Recognition Gala an annual tradition," said Kathleen Davies, Chair of the MPA Board of Directors. "This special evening celebrates outstanding youth performers and honors community leaders whose dedication helps the arts thrive in our region. While hosted by Mandarins Performing Arts, this is truly a community celebration and a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, build new relationships, and celebrate the transformative power of the arts."
The Sacramento Performing Arts Recognition Gala will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Mandarins Event Center, 9792 Business Park Drive, Sacramento. The evening will feature live entertainment, appetizers, a plated dinner, beverages, a silent auction, and awards presentations. Seating is limited.
Tickets and Sponsorship opportunities are available at SPARG II Tickets.
Biographies of the Outstanding Community Contributor honorees and Hall of Fame inductees are available at mandarins.org/gala.
Mandarins Performing Arts is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring excellence in young people through music, performance, discipline, and teamwork. The organization’s mission “Transforming Lives through Performing Arts!” is accomplished through music education outreach, leadership development, and youth mentorship and community engagement, annually serving more than 1,500 young adults and children, including special needs and at-risk youth. Year-round programs such as Mandarins Music Academy, an after-school music program taught at more than 45 local schools, the Immortal Winds indoor winter ensemble for local youth, and Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps consistently earning top rankings and international acclaim for its artistry and innovation, empowers the next generation of artists and leaders while enriching Sacramento’s vibrant arts landscape.
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