Fourth of July Festivities on Tap at Abacoa

 

Roger Dean Stadium

Roger Dean Stadium

Abacoa will ring in America’s birthday with two days of red-white-and-blue activities, live music and American’s favorite pastime during its Mega Bash and Fourth of July party in Town Center.

On Wednesday, Mega Bash will feature bounce houses and rock-climbing walls for children, an array of food and drinks from Abacoa’s popular restaurants and bars, a game between the Jupiter Hammerheads and the St. Lucie Mets, a post-game fireworks show and an on-field Billy Joel tribute band, Piano Man. The fun kicks off at 4:30 p.m.

On Thursday, Lazy Bonez, an ’80s rock ’n’ roll tribute band, will entertain the crowd in the amphitheater prior to the Hammerheads game, at 6:05 p.m. Other activities include a hot-dog-eating contest, games and fun for the entire family, and a Foreigner tribute band, 4NR2. The evening will culminate with another fireworks extravaganza and Independence Day recognition.

Event sponsors include Abacoa and Roger Dean Stadium and the town of Jupiter. Tickets range from $7.50 to $9.50. For information, call 561-775-1818.

Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre Plans August Fundraiser with Southern Flair

 

Douglas Rill, Burt Reynolds, James Bearden and Bob Nichols. Photo by Todd Vittum

Douglas Rill, Burt Reynolds, James Bearden and Bob Nichols. Photo by Todd Vittum

A major charity event to help beloved Jupiter resident and movie star Burt Reynolds’ new museum, theater and teaching institute will take place this summer at L’Auberge Resort in St. Charles, La.

The surprise announcement was made by the board of directors of the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre. The institute, which also housed the Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum off Indiantown Road, was demolished in 2012 to make way for the upscale Harbourside development.

The three-day fundraiser, set for Aug. 2 through 4, will feature a Burt Reynolds Poker Tournament, a golf fundraiser and a gala, plus an appearance by Reynolds. Live and silent auctions of an array of memorabilia from Reynolds’ 55-plus years in the business also will be on tap.

All proceeds from the southern-style event will go to the nonprofit organization’s capital campaign to build a new institute and museum on Jupiter land near Burt Reynolds Park. The new digs will feature space for classes, a state-of-the-art editing suite and rehearsal rooms, as well as a display of awards, photos, costumes, props and other items formerly housed in the Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum. The items now are in storage.

Said Douglas Rill, board chairman: “The proceeds from this event are important if we are to secure a continuing legacy of Burt Reynolds’ talent for acting and teaching, as well as provide a home for the memories created by him over the past 55 years.”

Atlantic Arts Theater’s Show-Stoppers Show No Sign of Stopping

Frank Licari, Travis Thomas and Jesse Furman are The Jove Comedy Experience.

Frank Licari, Travis Thomas and Jesse Furman are The Jove Comedy Experience.

The Atlantic Arts Theater had a fantastic Spring season of stage performances and is heading into summer with a full bill.

Things kicked off with Carnival Cruise Lines’ “Entertainer of the Year” Al Ernst. The popular comedian is known for blending motivational speaking with humor and is a favorite at corporate gigs. The laugh-a-minute show was followed by The Jove Comedy Experience, presenting its 67th production, “Death & Taxes & Other Funny Things.” The improvisation was a blend of musical and sketch comedy with always-unpredictable audience participation.

Dave Williamson appeared at the Atlantic Arts Theater next with a stand-up show for the ages. The Miami native and Auburn University graduate turned his job as an automobile salesman into a respectable shtick and took it to the road, appearing in comedy festivals all over the country.

May turned out to be a busy month for area actors and theater-goers who live in homes in Jupiter and the surrounding communities. After “All the King’s Women” at the end of April came “Seussical the Musical,” then “Legally Blonde the Musical” and finally “Lend Me a Tenor,” which wrapped up June 2.

On June 15, The Jove Comedy Experience returned with the appropriately named “Summer Blockbuster: Most Faster and Furiouser 7.”

For information about the Jupiter gem that is the Atlantic Arts Theater, call 561-575-4942.

Gamers Heading to Abacoa for Ali’s Alliance Casino Night 2013

Abacoa signage-featuredOn June 8, Ali’s Alliance, with support from Square D Marketing, will welcome guests to Ali’s Silver City Casino & Saloon in Abacoa for its annual nighttime fundraiser, Casino Night.

The evening of food, entertainment and games, including blackjack, craps, slots and roulette, will benefit the nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect cancer patients and their caregivers with support groups. The event will take place from 6 to 10:30 p.m. in the golf club of the community of Jupiter homes for sale. There will be music, dancing, passed hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner and a cash bar. In addition, a silent auction will be set up at the beginning of the night.

Ali’s Alliance, founded by David Cowan in honor of his late wife, Alison, who died from cancer, aims to compile a comprehensive database of cancer resources searchable by ZIP code. One of the charity’s primary partners is Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies in Port Saint Lucie, and it is signing up other partners every week.

Tickets cost $50 and include 3,000 gaming chips. For an extra $25, guests can enter the Texas Hold’em poker tournament with the chance to win $2,500 in prizes.

Ali’s Alliance recently had its other fundraising event of the season, its Afternoon Tea & Haute Couture Floral Millinery Pageant, at Turtle Creek in Tequesta.

For information, call 561-715-7427 or visit Ali’s Alliance.

Beaux Arts Ball Exceeds Fundraising Goal

The Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum and School of Art took in $110,000-plus during the 49th-annual Beaux Arts Ball, which had the theme ’50s Glamour and Rock ’n’ Roll.

Patrick and Jane O’Neill served as chairs of the Feb. 9, 2013, ball at The Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter. Former actress, current artist and generous philanthropist Dina Merrill served as honorary chairwoman.

The ball’s fundraising success exceeded its goal, said Katie Deits, executive director of the center.

The center is in the heart of Tequesta and provides arts instruction for the community as well as exhibits of local, regional and national artists’ works. For information, call 561-746-3101.