Dashing Pacific to pay for Toledo Symphony to play in China

Members of the Toledo Symphony under the direction of Principal Conductor Stefan Sanderling perform in the Spring for Music festival Saturday, May 7, 2011, at Carnegie Hall in New York.

The Toledo Symphony plans to perform in China next year, thanks to sponsorship from Chinese-owned company Dashing Pacific, the same firm that bought the Marina District and Docks restaurant complex earlier this year.

Yuan Xiaohong, the firm’s co-owner, made the announcement alongside Toledo Mayor Mike Bell Thursday at the symphony’s headquarters on Parkwood Avenue. Mayor Bell said the date and location of the performances have yet to be determined, but will occur some time in May or June 2012. The cost for the trip has yet to be determined.

Speaking through a translator, Ms. Yuan said she is impressed with Toledo and wants to share the city’s art institutions with the rest of the world. She said she fell in love with Toledo after visiting a year ago. 

“Toledo is a beautiful city and I feel people are very friendly,” Ms. Yuan said. “I feel like the whole world should know what Toledo is like.”

Symphony president and CEO Kathy Carroll said it will be the orchestra’s first performance outside the United States. At least 80 musicians will travel to China, she said.

Mayor Bell invited other Toledoans to accompany the orchestra on the trip, saying it is an opportunity to learn more about the country and establish cultural and business ties.

“We want all Toledoans and all people in Northwest Ohio who are interested in ...building a partnership with another country to join us in China next summer,” the mayor said. “Here’s an opportunity to go over with a bunch of people from our city and support our city and our partners here.”