In the Dutchess County Spotlight

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On Saturday, September 29th, Eugenia Zukerman and pianist Inon Barnatan, joined by other internationally-acclaimed musical artists including the Voxare String Quartet, and the three co-founders of Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice, perform at Artists for Autism. The concert, hosted by Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie is being held to raise Autism awareness and to benefit and celebrate Center for Spectrum Services, one of the premier day schools for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in New York State. The program includes works by Frederic Chopin, Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn, Richard Wagner, Antonin Dvorak and others.

"We are delighted, and grateful that artists of this extraordinary caliber have offered to donate their talent and time to make this event ossible," says Laurie A. Rich, Director of the Spectrum Services Foundation, the fundraising arm of Center for Spectrum Services. "We thank them and the Bardavon for what will be not only a gorgeous concert in a glorious hall," says Rich, "but an opportunity to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as much-needed funds to support Spectrum Services' programs and facilities."

Artists for Autism is supported not only by strong advocates for autism awareness, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro and Ulster County Executive Mike Hein, but by the business communities throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley.

"Center for Spectrum Services' students are sent to this remarkable agency from school districts throughout the Hudson Valley," says County Executive Molinaro. "Spectrum Services is an invaluable resource to the region, and has made children with autism and their families' lives brighter for over 35 years."

Restaurants on both sides of the Hudson River are supporting Artists for Autism with early dinner seatings, wonderful menus, a guarantee that patrons will get to the concert on time, and that Spectrum Services will receive a percentage of the early dinner revenues. On the Dutchess side, Restaurant Partners include Brasserie 292, Bull and Buddha, Crave, and Market Street Bar & Grill in Poughkeepsie, plus Coppola's Italian Ristorante in nearby Hyde Park. In Ulster, Coppola's La Fantasia Ristorante, Sal's Place in Highland, and P&G in New Paltz are Restaurant Partners.

"We hope people will come up to the Valley, and spend the day enjoying all that our area has to offer. Sightsee, pick apples, enjoy the extraordinary view from the Walkway Over the Hudson pedestrian bridge, visit the art galleries, go antiquing; then, take advantage of the early sittings at these great restaurants and top off the evening with us at Artists for Autism in the historic, beautiful Bardavon," says Rich.

Tickets for the event on September 29th at 7pm in the historic Bardavon at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie are $30, $50 and $100. Purchase of $100 seats includes entry to a post-concert, meet-the-artists cocktail party. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Corporate support for Artists for Autism comes from: CDPHP, Chronogram, Church Communities, Covanta Energy, Community Foundations, , Cumulus Radio, Dutchess County Tourism, Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Hudson Valley Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Hudson Valley Mercantile, Loeb & Troper, Rondout Savings, Inc. Rosenbaum Media Group, Rotavele Elevator, TD Bank, Ulster Savings Bank, Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Ulster Tourism, WAMC, WKZE, and Wells Fargo Advisors.

Special thanks to co-sponsor TD Bank for its provision of its location adjacent to the Bardavon for the after party.

For information about Artists for Autism visit www.ArtistsForAutism2012.org or https://www.facebook.com/Artists4Autism2012

About Center for Spectrum Services: Center for Spectrum Services (formerly The Children's Annex) is a private, not-for-profit program designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders including Asperger Syndrome. Since its inception in 1976, the Center for Spectrum Services has served a cumulative enrollment of nearly 3,500 students as a model special education program. Nationally recognized for its leadership, Spectrum Services has trained more than 4,000 professionals and families across the state and nation. They operate the Spectrum Services Clinic, providing diagnostic evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorders, and offers Social Skills Groups, counseling, and trainings and workshops. Call 845-336-2616 or visit online at www.centerforspectrumservices.org or on Facebook.