Andrew Young, Jr., former ambassador to the United Nations, former congressman, past mayor of Atlanta  and civil rights icon, will be the keynote speaker  at the Georgia Symphony Orchestra’s annual Celebrity  Luncheon fundraiser. The event will take place on Saturday,  March 18, 2023, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Marietta Country  Club and is open to the public.  

Ambassador Young will be joined by a diverse and  entertaining group of talented local artists, authors, musi cians and business leaders. Proceeds from the event will  benefit the GSO’s musical performance, youth education  and outreach programs. 

Not only are guests certain to be inspired by  

Ambassador Young, but they also will select to be seated  at a table with one of a carefully curated collection of influ ential and creative area personalities to learn more about  them. A specially created three-course menu will be pre pared by Gary Sanderson, Marietta Country Club executive  chef, and his team. 

Highlights of this year’s notables include:* 

  • Emily Carpenter – best-selling author of Burying the  Honeysuckle Girls  
  • Claire Dunaway Cyr – artist represented at DK Gallery 
  • Matt DeBusschere – owner of Marietta Melt Yard and food  columnist for the Marietta Daily Journal 
  • Courtenay Eckardt – cast member of original Broadway  production of The Prom 
  • A.J. Gnuse – best-selling author of inaugural novel, Girl in  the Walls 
  • Kim Gresh – owner and president of S.A. White Oil  Company, Inc. 
  • Karla Harris – internationally-recognized and local favorite  GSO Jazz! vocalist  
  • Missy Owen — founder of The Zone and Davis Direction  Foundation 
  • Chris Savas – photographer of business, music, political  and sports icons 
  • Bobby Thomas – co-founder of Red Hare Brewery and  Distillery 
  • Tanya Twaddell – first female deputy chief of the Marietta  Police Department  
  • Bill Waldrop — daylily expert and nationally recognized  hybridizer 
  • Lori Wilson – news anchor, WSB-TV 

The event also will provide a fantastic opportunity for  guests to indulge themselves from among an array of silent  and live auction goodies, such as rare trinkets and tidbits,  stunning fine art and everyday splurges. 

Founded in Marietta in 1951, the GSO has become one  of Georgia’s finest community-supported, multifaceted per forming arts organizations through imaginative programming,  visionary leadership and critically acclaimed performances.  

Proceeds from the event will allow the GSO to  continue delivering classical, jazz and pops concerts of  high-quality choral and instrumental music, and inspiring  and educating young musicians through the Georgia  Youth Symphony Orchestra—one of the 10 largest such  programs in the country.  

Ticket prices start at $50 and must be purchased in  advance online at georgiaaymphony.org/all-events.  

*Celebrity line up subject to change.