In the Loop
Press Release : Mar 3, 2015

Enjoy a Night of Entertainment and Dancing at Splendor: Dancing Under the Stars March 21st

The University of Florida (UF) Friends of Music and Friends of Theatre + Dance are partnering once again to present the 7th annual Splendor with the theme Dancing Under the Stars on Saturday, March 21, 2015 in the Nadine McGuire Theatre and Dance Pavilion on UF’s campus in Gainesville, Florida. Proceeds from the gala support scholarships as well as other programs that enable UF College of the Arts students to achieve academic, artistic and professional excellence. Two ticket levels are available (dinner and after party tickets for $150 per guest or $250 per couple and after party tickets for $40 each).

Highlights include a Keith Watson Events production, dinner catered by Blue Water Bay, a silent auction featuring a variety of items from travel packages to artwork to entertainment, one-of-a-kind student performances in Constans Theatre, an after party featuring the UF Jazz Band and an opportunity to expand your arts network.

Each year Splendor brings back a renowned College of the Arts alumni to campus to serve as the featured performer during the Gala Concert. This year, we will welcome back Felipe Bombonato. Bombonato is a graduate of P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School and earned a BFA in Theatre Performance with an emphasis in Musical Theatre from UF’s School of Theatre + Dance in 2011. He has toured nationally with Cats (vocal swing) and Man of la Mancha (muleteer and Padre understudy), has played Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, sailor and Billis understudy in South Pacific, and Dr. Scott/Eddie in The Rocky Horror Show.

“It is amazing to be coming back to Constans Theatre,” said Bombonato. “I have shared so many great memories with so many wonderful people in this theatre. I played Eddie for the first time on that stage. I did my senior thesis role of Stine from City of Angels on that stage, and I had a blast being Coach Van Buren in Damn Yankees. I love UF and the Gator Nation, and it will always be a part of who I am.”

Other entertainment highlights include performances by UF Musical Theatre program students, piano students, UF Opera Theatre program students and students from UF’s Dance program performing works choreographed by Pat Graney and Trent D. Williams Jr. The after party will feature the UF Jazz Band under the direction of Scott Wilson with special guests Jim Snyder on clarinet, Dr. Russell Robinson on vocals and Longineu Parsons performing a Louis Armstrong medley.

“Our Dancing Under the Stars Gala Concert is sure to get your toes tapping,” said Tony Offerle, associate professor in the UF School of Music and artistic director of the gala concert. “Song-and-dance man and recent UF alumnus Felipe Bombonato will be our emcee and also a featured performer. The gala itself will be a cavalcade of our most talented students performing dance and dance-themed pieces culminating in a big number from A Chorus Line!”

Two ticket packages are available for purchase. The after party package is $40 per guest and invites guests to arrive at 8:00 p.m. for the gala concert and then enjoy the silent auction, a cash bar, dessert and after party featuring the UF Jazz Band and dancing.

The dinner package is $150 per guest or $250 per pair and features all the benefits of the after party package and more. Guests will arrive at 5:30 p.m. for cocktails and first access to the silent auction. Dinner catered by Blue Water Bay begins at 6:30 p.m. Valet parking, two drink tickets and all-night access to the Director's Lounge with additional bar service, seating and entertainment is included.

“Each year the Friends of Theatre + Dance and Friends of Music looks forward to presenting Splendor,” said John Reger, president of the Friends of Theatre + Dance. "Last year we raised more than $50,000 to benefit the performing arts programs in the College of the Arts. This year’s event will be better than ever, and we hope members of the community will join us for an evening of entertainment and dancing as we celebrate talented College of the Arts students and alumni.”

To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit www.arts.ufl.edu/splendor.

About the College of the Arts

The College of the Arts, previously known as the College of Fine Arts, is one of the 16 colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. The College of the Arts offers baccalaureate, master’s and Ph.D. degree programs in its three institutionally-accredited schools — the School of Art + Art History, School of Music and School of Theatre + Dance. The college is home to the Center for Arts in Medicine, Center for Arts and Public Policy, Center for World Arts, Digital Worlds Institute, University Galleries and the New World School of the Arts in Miami. More than 100 faculty members and approximately than 1,200 students work together daily to engage, inspire and create. The college hosts more than 300 performances, exhibitions and events each year. Faculty and students also exhibit and perform at other local, national and international venues. To learn more, visit www.arts.ufl.edu

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Media Contact
Leah Craig, Public Relations and Marketing Manager
University of Florida College of the Arts
Office: 352.273.1489 | Cell: 904.419.3346 
lcraig@arts.ufl.edu