On Saturday, September 11, 2010 the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation will celebrate its eighth annual gala benefit with an "Evening for the Arts" featuring Parrotbeach, the Jimmy Buffett tribute band, at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and the pre-concert reception starts at 6 p.m. with a silent auction of "pirates' treasures," complimentary wine and light hors d'oeuvres with a tropical twist. Master of ceremonies David Raffauf will lead the audience on this trip to paradise.  The popular morning radio personality Michael Maze of New Haven's KC101's "Total Access" is on-board as the honorary chairperson. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door and are available through the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation, P.O. Box 1208, Orange, CT 06477.

Dr. Judy Primavera, the Foundation's co-director, a Fairfield University professor and mother of Jamie, said recently, "We are thrilled to have Parrotbeach and their flawless renditions of Jimmy Buffett's familiar songs. They conjure up a party atmosphere, good times and relaxation in the sun. This is the closest thing to an actual Buffett concert anyone will ever experience."

The band's repertoire is packed with all the Buffett classics, "Cheeseburger in Paradise," "Margaritaville" and an array of island music and party favorites described by lead vocalist and guitarist Remy St. Martin as "Caribbean rock 'n roll." With Hurricane Harris on keyboards, Jax on drums and percussion, Snake Stone on guitar and Jah on bass, the concert cuts loose and encourages singing, laughing and dancing in the aisles.

The pre-show reception has a tropical theme with frozen margaritas, a salsa bar and the famous cheeseburgers in paradise. This year's silent auction includes vacation getaways, theater and sports tickets, baskets of ale and other beverages, designer bangles and Hollywood and sport memorabilia including an autographed photo donated by the great Yankee dream-game-pitcher, Don Larson as well as a Lennon Legend 32GB iPod and an autographed "peace bed" picture donated by Yoko Ono.

The Hulley Arts Foundation continues to fund Fairfield University's Theatre Fairfield student production each year; it offers summer internship stipends to Fairfield University students in visual or performing arts as well as in art history and it provides scholarships to the Missoula Children's Summer Theater camp for the children of service employees on campus. In addition, it funds scholarships sponsorship for the eight-town high school juried art exhibit at the Fairfield Arts Council as well as many awards and educational art programs available to young artists in Bridgeport, Orange, Milford and Amity, where Jamie attended middle and high school.

The annual "Evening for the Arts" benefit makes it possible for the Hulley Art Foundation, a non-profit organization created in the memory of Orange resident Jamie Alaine Hulley, to fund the expansion of programs for early career grants, four-year college scholarships in studio art and theater, sponsorship of visiting artists programs, film festivals, juried art exhibits, and community theater productions throughout the greater New Haven and Fairfield counties. Through the Foundation's expanding sponsorship in schools and community organizations, hundreds of children, teens and early career adults are beneficiaries of enriching art opportunities. See www.jamiehulleyartsfund.org for more information.

Posted On: 07-26-2010 10:07 AM

Volume: 43 Number: 10