Global Arts Live Gala

Join Global Arts Live for a vibrant evening of music, dance, and community on March 22, 2025! We're excited to announce Sona Jobarteh as our headlining artist for this special event. Your incredible support at our inaugural Gala inspired us, and now it's time to create even more unforgettable moments together. Your contributions are essential to our mission of presenting music and dance that breaks down barriers and fosters understanding, hope, and unity. We can't wait to celebrate with you!
Schedule of Events

Sponsor Soirée
5:30PM, Crystal Ballroom
Live music, tapas-style fare, and cocktails

Sona Jobarteh Band
7:30PM, Somerville Theatre
Featured concert

Gala After-Party
9:30PM, Crystal Ballroom
Late-night nibbles, dessert, and dancing with Orquestra Akokán



Sponsorship Levels

Bronze Sponsorship - $1,000

  • 2 tickets to the entire event, including the pre-show reception, concert, and post-show party, with reserved seating
  • Listing in the event program
  • Recognition on signage and the website
Silver Sponsorship - $2,500 
  • All benefits listed at Bronze level, but with 4 tickets to the entire event. 
Gold Sponsorship - $5,000 
  • All benefits listed at Silver level, but with 8 tickets to the entire event. 
  • Signed copy of the headlining artist’s merchandise 
  • Acknowledgment from the stage at the sponsor soirée
Platinum Sponsorship - $10,000 
  • All benefits listed at Gold level, but with 12 tickets to the entire event. 
  • 2 reserved parking spots near the theater 
  • Meet and greet or photo-op with an artist from the Gala 
Lead Sponsorship - $25,000 
  • All benefits listed at Platinum level, but with 20 tickets to the entire event. 
  • 4 reserved premium parking spots behind the theater 
  • Acknowledgment from the stage at the soirée and featured concert 
  • Lead sponsor recognition on all printed materials, including the program, signage, website, and pre-event marketing materials

You can become a sponsor of the gala online, or you can call Mira at (617)-674-2634 to inquire with questions. 

Global Arts Live is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization, and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Each sponsorship includes event benefits that have a fair market value of $325 per person which is not tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor if needed. Please note that the IRS prohibits the use of donor-advised funds to pay for event sponsorships. 

If you cannot make it to the gala but want to support this important event, you can donate today.



Gala Tickets | $250 

We are thrilled to announce that Cuban band Orquesta Akokán will be getting everyone dancing as the Gala After-Party headliner!  See two great performances while supporting one of your favorite nonprofits and purchase a Gala ticket today! A $250 Gala ticket gets you a premium seat to the Sona Jobarteh Band concert and exclusive access to the After-Party. Orquestra Akokán is guaranteed to keep the celebration going with an electrifying performance. Complimentary late-night bites from award-winning restaurant PAGU and cash bar included. Your Gala ticket also includes a generous $100 donation to Global Arts Live—directly impacting our mission to foster a global arts community that inspires understanding, hope, and unity. 

Concert-Only Tickets | $75 / $65 / $60
On sale January 06 to members
On sale January 08 to the public

Watch our highlight reel to experience the magic of the gala and browse our Facebook album to relive some of the most memorable moments.

Sona Jobarteh Band Bio

Sona Jobarteh has the unique ability to touch audiences from all over the world and from all backgrounds and cultures, singing songs of cultural identity, love, gender, and respect with her electric Afropop band.

The spirit of Sona Jobarteh’s musical work stands on the mighty shoulders of the West African griot tradition; she is a living archive of the Gambian people. Jobarteh is the first female within this ancient tradition to master the kora—"a very central and important adaptation that tradition must take in order to be relevant to our new society” (Sona Jobarteh, 60 Minutes). At the heart of her success as an artist is her dedication to humanitarian activism in social development and educational reform on the continent of Africa.

Orquestra Akokán bio

Orquestra Akokán burst onto the global music scene in 2018 with their no-holds-barred 21st century take on Cuban mambo—imbuing it with the group’s signature sense of akokán, a Cuban Yoruba word meaning “from the heart.” The GRAMMY nominated big band riffs on Cuba’s golden grooves from the 1940s and 1950s with fresh style and panache. The horns drive the tunes, making them irresistibly danceable. Their live shows are said to “vibrate your soul, which is precisely what the world needs right now.” (singer Kiko Ruiz)
“A thrillingly authentic slice of Cuban mambo.”—Uncut

Current Sponsors

Lead Sponsor
Nagesh Mahanthappa and Valentine Talland
Alex Rigopulos and Sachi Sato

Platinum
Eric Klotch
Anonymous 

Gold
PAGU*

Silver
Pamela Coravos and Garrett Stuck
Alan Geismer
Holly Laurent
Phyllis Menken
Catherine Truman
Jean Walsh and Graham Davies

Bronze
Michael Benari
Anmarie Ciccolo
Paul Dansereau and Julie Miller
Kenneth and Theresa Ralff
Verneda Ray 

*In-Kind Sponsor

2025 Gala Committee

Gandhali Bhole, Pamela Bynum, Sarah Delaney, Rima Hyder, Edith Joyce, Eric Klotch, Nagesh Mahanthappa, Priya Sankalia, and Purnima Thakre 
Connie C. Chin, Chief Executive Officer
Maure Aronson, Founder & Director of Artistic Programming