‘Friends’ host concert to raise funds for Relay for Life
Looking ahead to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event in April, the “Friends Again” team is hard at work to raise funds for its participation in this year’s Relay by hosting “An Evening with Maurice.”
Maurice LoMonaco is an Italian born, world renowned tenor who will perform songs from his latest CD in a concert setting Wednesday, March 12, at Cultural Park Theater in Cape Coral. Only 184 tickets will be sold at $25 each and are almost sold out. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are only available in advance by calling Linda Biondi at 239-246-1157 or 239-542-2254.
Doors to the theater will open at 6 p.m. for a wine and cheese reception and silent auction before the concert starts at 7 p.m.
“Maurice isn’t just a marvelous singer, he’s very entertaining,” said Friends Again team captain Linda Biondi. “He’s very charismatic.”
LoMonaco is a classically influenced singer/songwriter and lyrical tenor with a “pop era heart and expansive repertoire.” He takes his audience on a journey through rock, jazz, gospel, R&B, pop, show tunes and even opera selections. His selections come from more than 1,000 songs in five languages.
“I know God has given me a gift to share with every human being,” said LoMonaco, who has been in the United States since age 10. “My voice is just a vessel that allows everyone to come along on this healing journey.”
Vinnie B of Z-Bop Unlimited will serve as emcee for the evening.
Relay for Life is set for April 5-6 on the track at Mariner High School’s Tony McKenna Field. It runs through the night from 3 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday.
“There are at least 30 teams already for the relay and they are looking for more,” said Biondi. “Our team is a group of 10 friends, family, in-laws and friends of friends. There are four cancer survivors among us, that I am aware of. We do several fundraisers for the Cancer Society and this is our biggest one.”
Biondi said LoMonaco was to perform several years ago and a Cape Coral event that was cut short because of heavy rain before he performed. That started a friendship that led to LoMonaco’s concert two years ago at Cultural Park Theater. Biondi asked if he would perform at her team’s fundraiser and he accepted.
The team picks a new theme each year and this year’s is Firemen are Heroes. An antique fire truck will be available again at the April Relay for Life to give kids rides around the track during the event.