One Sneak Peek Before Rochester's Great Home "Makeover"

Rochester, NY – The furniture is out, the walls are bare, and more than 30 of some of the Rochester area’s finest designers are at the starting gate at the historic Ellwanger Mansion at 625 Mt. Hope Avenue.  But before the paint, wallpaper, carpeting, cabinets, flooring, furniture, lighting and accessories transform what will be the 2008 Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Showhouse, the public is invited to see the “bare bones” of this elegant mansion at a Prelude Party on Sunday, April 6 from 2 to 5 p.m.  This open house will include refreshments and music by the Bourbon Street Parade. Attire is casual and valet parking will be provided.  Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.  Visit www.rpo.org, stop in to the RPO Box office at 108 East Avenue, or call 454-2100.

The RPO Showhouse is a fundraiser for the Orchestra’s varied music education programs.  The 2006 Showhouse raised more than $118,000 to support those programs.   The 2008 RPO Showhouse opens on Friday, May 16th and runs through Sunday, June 8th.  The Showhouse will be open to the public for tours, Wednesdays-Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Private tours and special functions including chamber concerts featuring RPO musicians, chef events and more will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and evenings.