The Federal Way Symphony will celebrate its 35th anniversary season this spring with special events: A Gala dinner and auction on Saturday, March 30 and two performances of Gustav Mahler’s monumental Fifth Symphony on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7. Tickets for all three events are on sale now with concert tickets reduced to $35 for all seats in honor of the milestone anniversary.

A 35th anniversary auction and gala will kick off the symphony’s emerald anniversary celebration at 6 p.m. March 30 at the Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club.

“Our gala is the Symphony’s biggest fundraiser each year,” said committee Chair Donna Berger in a press release. “This year’s event will be extra festive as we celebrate our anniversary.”

Auction items in a wide range of price levels generate revenue that funds the organization’s performances and educational activities. Auction items this year include vacation condo rentals in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Mexico; professional sports tickets; custom jewelry pieces and a winemaker’s dinner for four at Federal Way’s own Abbe Winery. Gala tickets are $95 and include choice of dinner options and wine and may be purchased at https://federalwaysymphony.org or by calling 253-252-2693.

The following weekend will see the symphony’s 35th Anniversary season finale concerts on April 6-7. In honor of the anniversary, all tickets have been reduced to $35 ($30 for seniors and military). The festive concerts will bring together current and past board members, volunteers, staff and musicians to celebrate with founding artistic director A. Brian Davenport. Tickets are available at fwpaec.org/federal-way-symphony-season-finale or by calling the Performing Arts and Event Center box office at 253-835-7010.

Scored for a large orchestra, Mahler’s fifth is epic in both its musical canvas and emotional scope. The symphony’s fourth movement is Mahler’s most-recognized and most frequently performed work, including a Leonard Bernstein conducted version at Robert F. Kennedy’s funeral mass.

The Federal Way Symphony was founded in 1983 by current artistic director A. Brian Davenport. Early successes included coordinating a region-wide performance of Beethoven’s ninth symphony for the 1990 Goodwill Games. The symphony once again performed Beethoven’s ninth in 2017 at the premiere concert in its new home at the PAEC.

All concerts are at the PAEC, which offers convenient freeway access and free parking for patrons throughout King and Pierce counties.