A festive weekend downtown Tacoma Symphony Orchestra presents Sounds of the Season at the Pantages Tollefest takes place at Tollefson Plaza TSO collaborates with United Way, area corporations to provide tickets to economically challenged families Emergency Food Network donations accepted at the door TACOMA, WA - The Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, United Way of Pierce County, and three area financial institutions are teaming up to help area disadvantaged families attend the TSO's holiday concerts this weekend. Sponsored by Columbia Bank and The News Tribune, Sounds of the Season is the TSO's annual musical potpourri of seasonal songs and favorite carols. The program takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 5 and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, December 6 at the Pantages Theater. Accompanied by the full orchestra, 275 talented singers, young and old, will present beloved seasonal works, songs, carols, and sing-alongs. In addition to Columbia Bank's lead sponsorship support, both Bank of America and Union Bank have provided partial underwriting support for a block of 150 donated tickets. The TSO is matching this and partnering with the United Way to distribute the total 300 tickets to families who otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend due to economic reasons. The TSO also has an ongoing partnership with the Emergency Food Network to provide bins at every concert and encourages all those attending performances to bring non-perishable food items to contribute. Sounds of the Season takes place during a busy, festive weekend in downtown Tacoma! It complements the 2nd annual Tollefest going on in Tollefson Plaza on south 17th Street and Pacific Avenue. This free event, a collaboration of Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and the Downtown Merchants Group, features food, crafts, music, and festivities, held December 4 through 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. From noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Santa Claus will be coming to town! GoLocal Tacoma and the DMG have collaborated with the company TwoFiveTrees to offer Christmas trees at Tollefson Plaza at what its owner guarantees are the lowest price in the area and also donating trees to many families who cannot afford one . If you know someone you think needs to be considered for a donated tree, submit a family's story to their website for consideration. "The Tacoma Symphony Orchestra is proud to be part of the community of downtown Tacoma," stated TSO Executive Director Andrew Buelow. "We encourage people to make a day of it! Come and check out Tollefest, patronize the downtown businesses, enjoy a meal in one of the great downtown restaurants, and then head over to the Broadway Center for Sounds of the Season. Experience what Tacoma has to offer." For regular-priced TSO tickets, call 800-291-7593 or visit www.tacomasymphony.org. For information on the United Way community tickets program, call the TSO office at 253-272-7264. For information on Tollefest, visit <http://www.tollefsonplaza.com/> www.tollefsonplaza.com. For information on TwoFiveTrees, visit <http://www.twofivetrees.com/> www.twofivetrees.com. For information on supporting the Emergency Food Network, visit <http://www.efoodnet.org/> www.efoodnet.org. ####