Tempo, a new group of young professionals, is working to create a new venue for networking while helping other young people discover the Sacramento Philharmonic.

“We formed because we wanted to help support the philharmonic and all the good things they do in the community,” said Laura Braden, one of Tempo’s founders.

Braden said that in addition to playing classical music concerts, musicians from the philharmonic volunteer to teach music at schools that cannot afford music programs as well as performing in hospitals for kids and cancer patients.

Tempo will host themed cocktail parties or receptions in conjunction with philharmonic performances, and the first one will be Thursday.

Thursday’s event, at 6 p.m. at Lounge on 20, 1050 20th St., will be called “To Russia With Love,” and coincides with the philharmonic’s Oct. 16 Russian Romance performance. Vodka and caviar will be served at the event in keeping with the theme of the upcoming concert.

“It really adds another dynamic of getting young professionals involved with our organization and trying to reach a new demographic and really create a new relationship,” said Sacramento Philharmonic Marketing Manager Greg Wellman.

“We’ve had a great crowd for years and years, but not a lot of new, young subscribers to the philharmonic,” he said.

The term “young professional” is very flexible, and Braden said that people 21 and over are welcome, “even those who are young at heart.”

“It’s kind of hard to get boyfriends and husbands to the ballet, but the philharmonic is easier to get people to attend who maybe don’t frequent these things,” Braden said. “I think a lot of people don’t realize that we even have a philharmonic. They just know about the Mondavi and the San Francisco Symphony.”

Being a member is not necessary to attend events, but those who pay the $75 annual admission fee ($50 for students) will get steeply discounted or free tickets to the five events, which will be priced about $25-$40 each, Braden said. She said discounted tickets to the philharmonic’s performances will also be available to Tempo members.

The membership and entry fees are to pay for the events, but Braden said that if any money is left over, it would go to the philharmonic.

Other benefits include advance notice for special events and ticketing, access to the VIP lounge at philharmonic performances and opportunities to volunteer at educational and social events.

Keith Collins is not a member, but he said he plans to go to Tempo events.

“I’m very interested in the arts, the symphony being one of them,” Collins said. “I’ve taken my niece and nephews to family events (at the philharmonic), and this brings it to the next level – meeting other young professionals and meeting some of the musicians.”

Thursday’s event will be the last one for this year, but the next event will be in January and is called “Viva la France – Wine and Cheese Tasting” to complement the philharmonic’s French Flair performance.

Other events in 2011 include “Beethoven Brats and Beer,” “Legislative Night” and “It’s All Local – Celebrating Sacramento’s Finest.”

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Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.