Opening Event will Include FREE Performances by
Cabaret Stars Rob Russell and Avery Sommers, and
Musical Ensembles from the Palm Beach Symphony
And Young Singers of the Palm Beaches
(May 5, 2022 – West Palm Beach, FL) Ellen Wedner, president of Creative Arts Enterprises, announced today that it will once again be kicking off Pride Month’s celebration of the local LGBTQIA+ community with PRIDE LIGHTS, which will illuminate in festive, multi-colored, rainbow lights the Centennial Fountain in Nancy Graham Centennial Park in downtown West Palm Beach, along with the Citizens Building, the marquee at Palm Beach Dramaworks, Brightline Station, and more. When? Wednesday, June 1, at 8 pm.
“Why are we doing this,” asks Wedner? “Because ‘Light’ banishes invisibility and gives public recognition to the Palm Beach LGBTQ community during Pride month, and the fountain lights will play in rotation for the entire month of June.”
“As the fountain lights up with Pride, the celebration begins with a musical performance that is free and open to the public,” she adds. “We have already booked well-known cabaret stars Rob Russell and Avery Sommers to perform, plus musical ensembles from both the Palm Beach Symphony and Young Singers of the Palm Beaches.”
“At a time when gender confusion abounds, when LGBTQ-positive intersections are deliberately vandalized, and when ‘Don’t Say Gay’ is the official state policy, I invite everyone—straight or not, cisgender or not—to join us for this fun, positive, community event,” says Wedner.
In addition, Creative Arts Enterprises will be producing the inaugural REEL PRIDE FILM FESTIVAL (October 9-12, 2022) honoring LGBTQ History Month and National Coming Out Day on October 11.
About Rob Russell:
From his years as the polished front man at the distinguished Governor’s Club at Phillips Point to his nearly two decades as producer and emcee of the world famous Royal Room Cabaret at The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach, as well as his recent years as a singer, recording artist, plus—after graduating top in his class at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting—Dick Robinson’s fill-in tune-spinner on Legends Radio 100.3 FM. Rob Russell has amassed numerous fans of his audience-wowing musical talents and flashy show biz anecdotes. He performs regularly at Café Centro in the Northwood Village neighborhood of West Palm Beach and at The Pelican Café in Lake Park, and recently released his first CD, Hello Again.
About Avery Sommers:
A South Florida treasure and Broadway veteran with a “powerhouse voice” (The New York Times) and charismatic stage presence, Avery Sommers appeared on Broadway in Ain’t Misbehavin’ replacing Nell Carter, Broadway, Chicago, Showboat and Platinum, and in the national tours of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (starring Ann-Margret) and
Chicago, for which she won a Los Angles Ovation Award. A frequent headliner at the Kravis Center and the former Royal Room Cabaret at The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach, Sommers has earned numerous awards during her distinguished career, including a Carbonell Award (she’s a seven-time nominee), the Best Actress Award given by The Arts and Entertainment Magazine of South Florida, the prestigious Silver Palm Award for Outstanding Contributions to the South Florida Theater Season, and the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 2010 Monaco International Film Festival for her role in the movie Immigration Tango.
Earlier this year, she received both The Giraffe Award For “Sticking Her Neck Out in the Community” from the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Boca Raton Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters.
About the Palm Beach Symphony:
Palm Beach Symphony is South Florida’s premier orchestra known for its diverse repertoire and commitment to the community. Founded in 1974, this 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization adheres to a mission of engaging, educating, and entertaining the greater community of the Palm Beaches through live performances of inspiring orchestral music. The orchestra is celebrated for delivering spirited performances by first-rate musicians and distinguished guest artists. Recognized by The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County with a 2020 Muse Award for Outstanding Community Engagement, Palm Beach Symphony continues to expand its education and community outreach programs with children’s concerts, student coaching sessions and master classes, instrument donations and free public concerts that have reached more than 56,000 students in recent years. For more information, please visit www.palmbeachsymphony.org.
About the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches:
Young Singers of the Palm Beaches is an award-winning community-based children’s choir that believes choral music education is a valuable resource in the development of productive participants in our society. We transform the lives of young singers in our community by breaking down social barriers, developing life skills, providing an outlet for creativity, and fostering good citizenship. For more information, please visit www.yspb.org.
About Creative Arts Enterprises:
Creative Arts Enterprises (CAE) is dedicated to producing high quality arts events in South Florida. A 501c3 nonprofit since 2001, CAE concentrates on creating niche theater and film events for the LGBTQIA+ community as well as producing arts events that amplify the achievements of specific South Florida populations. For example, CAE has produced live theater such as: Jon& Juan’s Wedding , an interactive experience at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden and the Broward Performing Arts Center, Bed, Boys a & Beyond, Hannah Free, and Lavender Footlights, a LGBTQ play series encouraging international playwrights and introducing their works via a Miami play reading series to regional theaters.
