Full moon, winter solstice fund-raising cruise
On Dec. 21 — the longest night of the year — Captiva Cruises and Randell Research Center on Pine Island have combined forces to offer a Winter Solstice Full Moon Cruise.
During the day of winter solstice, there is the least amount of day light for the year and the longest period of night. After that, the days gradually get longer, said the research center’s coordinator, Cindy Bear.
“We’ll be coming into a little more day light, ever so slowly,” she said. “This is a first-time event, and it’s kind of unique to have a full moon on the solstice. It should be a nice time on the water.”
The cruise costs $65 per person and takes place on the Captiva Cruises flagship, the 60-foot Lady Chadwick, which can hold about 100 people. The ship will leave from McCarthy’s Marina, 11401 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, at 7:30 p.m.
The two-hour cruise includes wine, appetizers, cash bar, live music from musician Kat Epple and narratives about the night sky, solstice and how indigenous Florida cultures may have used the stars and sky in their day to day life.
“We’ll be talking about the constellations and the features of the night sky,” said Richard Finkel, an educator with Captiva Cruises. “It should be a lot of fun.”
All proceeds from the event will benefit the research center, a program of the Florida Museum of Natural History, which has conducted research and education in Southwest Florida for more than 20 years.
The mission of the center is to maintain the Pineland archaeological and historical site, which was a Calusa Indian village for more than 1,500 years. An independent nonprofit agency, the center receives no government funding, Bear said.
“We don’t get any state funds or university funds,” she said. “Our endowment is not what it used to be. We rely on donations, the book store, grants and fundraisers. It’s really important to us and helps us to maintain the archaeological site.”
Kat Epple — a composer and flautist from this area — will perform on the ship during the cruise. Epple, who plays new age, jazz, world and orchestral music, has composed music for film and television, released 18 albums and has won eight Emmy awards. She has worked with National Geographic, Nova, CNN, the Travel Channel, PBS and others.
Epple has flutes from around the world, Bear said.
“We thought she was the perfect person to add to the ambiance of the night,” Bear said.
Finkel agreed.
“We’re really pleased to have Kat Epple on the boat,” he said.
Later that night, there is also a lunar eclipse, Finkel said, though it won’t be visible during the time of the cruise.
“There will be a lot to talk about,” he said.
The ship has an indoor cabin and a top deck, Finkel said, so should be comfortable even if the weather is cold. If the cruise is a successful fundraiser, it may become an annual event.
For reservations or more information, call 472-5300.