Blues & Bar-B-Que tickets selling fast, get yours now
By LOIS KINDLE
If you didn’t go to last year’s annual Blues & Bar-B-Que at the Firehouse Cultural Center, you missed one heck of a party. But no worries. You’ll get another chance to come out and celebrate 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, when the Firehouse hosts its 5th annual Blues & Bar-B-Que event.
The Firehouse Cultural Center will host its 5th annual Blues & Bar-B-Que fundraiser from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at 101 First Ave. N.E., Ruskin. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger.
LOIS KINDLE FILE PHOTO
“This is one of our major fundraisers, and we look forward to it every year,” said Beth Stein, the center’s operations and events coordinator. “It has such a fun, energetic and yet relaxing vibe. Some of our attendees come every year.”
About 200 tickets have already been purchased, but the cultural center has plenty of seating indoors and out on its newly refurbished, covered patio with fans. And even if you can’t stay, you can always stop by and pick up a generously portioned meal by Buttman BBQ, a chicken or rib platter with your choice of two sides, tea and dessert — the exact same meal to be served to party-goers. While you’re there, you can even enter the raffle drawings and hear a few tunes.
The music will be a blend of both laid-back and energetic country and blues played by Rick Hatfield, T-Bone Hamilton and Double E.
“This is a fun and easy way to introduce children to live music events,” Stein said. “It’s an event for the entire family. Everyone’s sure to have a great time.”
Bringing your family won’t break your budget, folks. Kids 12 and younger eat for $10. Adults for $25. And all the proceeds go toward the Firehouse’s scholarship fund for arts and educational scholarships.
The raffles will include three lotto frames of $100 worth of tickets each and several gift baskets. Tickets for the lotto frame drawings are $5 each or $20 for five. Tickets for the baskets are $1 each or 6 for $5.
Last year’s event raised $4,000 for the fund, said Ann Hathaway, event committee chairwoman.
“Hundreds of South Shore residents benefited,” she noted. “We want everyone to have a taste of the arts, regardless of their ability to pay. We’re hoping to reach out to even more people next year.”
This year’s live music during the 5th annual Blues & Bar-B-Que event will be a blend of both laid-back and energetic country and blues played by Rick Hatfield, T-Bone Hamilton and Double E.
LOIS KINDLE FILE PHOTO
Other members of this year’s planning committee were Stein, Georgia Vahue and Frances Hereford.
The Firehouse Cultural Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is at 101 First Ave. N.E., Ruskin. Its board includes Bruce Marsh, president; Patti Beckett; Janice Bayruns; Laurie Burhop; Delores Coe; Sandy Council; Tom Grimm; Ann Hathaway; Craig Hardesty; Jeff Knauff; Gabriel Mbulo; Ann Mohin; Bob Mohr; Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman; Michael Parker; and Lorrin Shepard. The staff is comprised of Vahue, Stein, Hereford and Rudy Ortiz.
Parking for the 5th annual Blues & Bar-B-Que event is plentiful and free.
For tickets, call 813-645-7651, or visit www.firehouseculturalcenter.org/events/5th-annual-bbq-blues/.
For information on other upcoming Firehouse Cultural Center events, visit www.firehouseculturalcenter.org/events/.
