• Check in: You will not need a physical ticket for Cantus Idol. Simply stop by the registration table to check in. Seating is first come, first served at cocktail tables around the room.

• Voting: You get to determine the 2026 Cantus Idol. Voting can be done with cash in our donation jars or digitally with a QR code on your program. An onsite, human ATM will be available throughout the evening.

• Parking: There is plenty of onsite parking for you and your guests.

• Live Auction: We’d like to provide a sneak-peek of our exciting auction items below!

• Attire: We often get questions about what to wear to Idol. The short answer: whatever makes you feel great for a night out! We want everyone to come in something comfortable and festive that you might wear to an evening on the town. If you’d like to lean into the theme, we’re encouraging guests to come “Red Carpet Ready.” And if modern red carpets are any indication, there’s plenty of room to have fun with it. Think Silver Screen Showstoppers—a nod to movie glamour, a favorite film character, or just a touch of Hollywood sparkle. Nothing intimidating required! Cocktail attire, a favorite dress, a sharp jacket, bold accessories, or simply something that makes you feel fabulous all work beautifully.

A Night at the Museum with Cantus
Private Cocktail Party Concert at the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Estimated Value: Priceless

Experience an extraordinary evening of art, music, and hospitality at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. This exclusive offering invites you and up to 20 guests to a private, gallery-based cocktail reception hosted by Cantus, where world-class vocal artistry meets a refined cultural setting. Guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in an elegant museum space, followed by an intimate, bespoke performance by the ensemble.

Perfect for entertaining friends, colleagues, or clients, this event transforms a night out into a thoughtfully curated cultural experience.

Details:
This experience will be scheduled on a mutually agreed-upon weeknight from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and will accommodate up to 20 guests at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Special Thanks to the Minneapolis Institute of Art and Wendy Dayton

In-Home Cantus Residency: An Evening with Our Stars
Estimated Value: Priceless

Transform your home into an intimate concert venue with this singular Cantus experience. The ensemble will present a private, hour-long performance in your space, creating an evening of exceptional music tailored to you and your guests. Repertoire may be selected from recent Cantus programming, with consideration given to special requests.

Ideal for celebrations or meaningful gatherings, this offering places you and your guests at the center of a truly memorable artistic experience.

This exclusive opportunity is available will be set up with Cantus staff to schedule a mutually convenient date.

Go on Tour with Cantus to Newport, Rhode Island 
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience at the Gilded Age Rosecliff Mansion
Estimated Value: Priceless
Dates: December 5–6, 2026

Travel to Newport, Rhode Island, renowned for its storied Gilded Age mansions, coastal beauty, and rich cultural heritage; for an unforgettable weekend with Cantus.

This experience includes reserved premium seating for Christmas with Cantus on December 5, 2026, at the historic Rosecliff Mansion, one of Newport’s most iconic estates. Following the performance, enjoy an exclusive dinner with members of the ensemble, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the artists and gain insight into life on tour.

Your stay also includes two complimentary nights at the Brenton Hotel, a luxury boutique property located on Newport Harbor, and a post-concert dinner experience. In addition, guests will enjoy a guided trolley tour of Newport’s famed mansions, including admission to The Breakers, a Vanderbilt estate and National Historic Landmark.

This offering combines music, history, and hospitality into a seamless and memorable cultural getaway.

Special thanks to Newport Classical, the Brenton Hotel, and Heritage Hospitality.

A Star is Born: Karaoke with Cantus at Fat Pants Brewing in Eden Prairie
Estimated Value: Priceless

Take center stage in an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment as Cantus hosts a private karaoke experience at Fat Pants Brewing in Eden Prairie. This lively, performance-driven event invites you to sing alongside members of the ensemble whether as a soloist, in duet, or backed by the full group!

Designed for up to 30 guests per winner, this event offers a unique opportunity to gather friends or colleagues for a spirited and interactive musical celebration. Your group’s first round of drinks is complimentary.

Details:
This event will take place on August 12, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:30 PM at Fat Pants Brewing in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Three winning bidders will secure this experience for an all-out karaoke smash, with 30 people per winner in attendance.

Special thanks to Fat Pants Brewing.