By Angela Higginbotham
angela@floridanewsline.com
Nearly 200 guests recently attended the celebration of the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall terrace unveiling celebration. Those in attendance enjoyed a champagne toast, ribbon cutting, photo booth, dancing and live entertainment from the Chris Thomas Band.
The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall is a smaller performing arts facility located in the heart of Ponte Vedra Beach. The hall features national and international performing artists and an array of activities, concerts and community gatherings throughout the year.
The new terrace is a long-awaited renovation completed with donations and fundraisers organized through the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. The concert hall opened in March 2009 and just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Not long after opening, the Friends group was formed. A 501c3 charitable organization, Friends of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall are made up of a volunteer group of about 300 members. The group is responsible for funding, overseeing and planning many of the renovations to the hall.
“We are as transparent as possible,” said Steve Gard, president of the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. “We try to get community input into each project and encourage financial support through members, outside donations and corporate sponsorships.”
Other than the recent terrace renovation, the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall have also renovated the green room, purchased a portable band floor so that the concert hall could offer services to weddings and other private functions, and bought a grand piano for the hall. Previously, the hall had to rent a grand piano when one was needed. The group also contributes to many other events throughout the year.
Each membership to join the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall is good for one year and three levels of membership are available: Basic, Silver and Gold. Currently, the big fundraising project is to raise enough money to complete a $1.5 million second floor renovation.
“Completing this renovation would add 200 – 250 more seats and would also add space for food and beverage points of sale. This addition would also attract larger acts who need more space than we currently have,” Gard said.
Visit friendspvch.org for more information on donating or becoming a member of the Friends.
Photo courtesy Kelly Brooks
Steve Gard, president of the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and Director Marc Ressler cut the ribbon for the outdoor terrace.
