They're based in Tacoma, but every year the Northwest Sinfonietta logs a lot of miles - traveling up and the Interstates for regular performances in Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and Puyallup - not to mention stops in Port Townsend, Olympia, Kirkland and even Astoria, Ore. Led by renowned conductor Christophe Chagnard, who created Northwest Sinfonietta with Kathryn Habedank way back in 1991 (in celebration of the Mozart Bicentennial), the 35-member professional orchestra, regularly heralded as one of the region's finest, has long been devoted to the causes close to its heart: championing musical education, bringing families and music lovers together, and kicking ass in all three of the main orchestral disciplines - symphonic, opera and ballet.

In November, Northwest Sinfonietta will officially celebrate 20 years in the business with a fundraiser and musical event sure to be equal parts diner auction, elegant swank-fest, and straight-up fun. Holding down fort at the high-end Hotel Murano, Northwest Sinfonietta's 20th Anniversary Gala will be Nov. 6, and promises to be one of the best and most worthy arts nights of the coming year.

"The gala will be more than a typical dinner auction (and) fundraising event. Of course it is important for us to be successful in raising money, as this is a large source of revenue for a privately supported arts group.  However, it's also about music," says Northwest Sinfonietta Chair of the Board of Directors Jane Shanaman. "There will be three vibrant musical treats - one when people enter, one during the evening, and one at the closing. These are each a performance worth hearing without a lovely dinner and fun auction."

With a coming season that also includes an Opening Anniversary Gala cello and violin concerto in October, the entrancing Gypsy Nights in November, Mozartiana in February and the piano percussion extravaganza Rites of Spring in March, Northwest Sinfonietta's 20th year promises to be one to remember. The Anniversary Gala at the Hotel Murano on Nov. 6 - which will carry a silver and green theme, bring food and the music of Northwest Sinfonietta together in epic fashion - will be the perfect chance to celebrate it.

"We envision an elegant evening also befitting of a classical orchestra's 20th year," says Shanaman. "The Hotel Murano provides an artful place in which to enjoy another art form - music.  It seems a natural.

"As a small chamber orchestra we fill a unique position in the musical offerings in the greater Northwest. What I love is the ability to hear all of the instruments, to enjoy significant performances in intimate settings such as the Rialto Theater, and to experience innovation such as visual and dance arts added to musical score," Shanaman continues. "We enter our 20th year with three venues, Seattle at Benaroya Hall; Tacoma at Rialto Theater; and Puyallup at the Pavilion in the park. We are the only orchestra that travels Interstate 5 on our performing weekends."

Making our job easier, the 20th Anniversary Gala at the Hotel Murano comes with food and drink - so we don't need to make a suggestion on that front for you to put together one amazing evening. That said, Shanaman does have a suggestion as to what to drink.

"Golden Kir, served in green champagne glasses," she says.

Naturally.

NW Sinfonietta 20th Anniversary Gala

Saturday, Nov. 6,  Hotel Murano
ticket information at nwsinfonietta.org