Northwest Cultural Council to hold gala at Cuneo Mansion

The Northwest Cultural Council invite the public to a gala event at the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens from 1-3 p.m. April 26. The winning poems from the Council's 2014 Martin Ryan Annual International Poetry Competition will be read. The winning poets are: Lina Chern, first place; Kate Hutchinson, second place; Carol Kanter, third place; Tracie Padal, fourth place; and Honorable Mention poets Marian Shapiro, Patrice Boyer Claeys, Gail Goepfert and Janet Badger.

Two promising young musicians, Michael Zyzak and Daniel Szefer, will provide the musical portion of the program. Both are accomplished award-winning students at the Music Institute of Chicago.

Michael, 16, is a cellist who made his solo debut at 9 years old. Among his other awards, he won first place at the Rising Stars Southeast Missouri Competition and at the Fox Valley Orchestra Young Artist Competition in 2014.

Daniel, 14, is a pianist. He was the youngest finalist in the Crain-Maling Foundation Chicago Symphony Orchestra Youth Auditions in 2012 and received a scholarship to the Oxford Philomusica Piano Festival at the University of Oxford, Great Britain, in 2013. He also was the first place winner of the 2013 Discovery National Chamber Music Competition.

This event is open to the public and there is no admission fee. Refreshments will be served. Cuneo Mansion and Gardens is at 1350 Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills.