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Ruth Eckerd Hall’s Friends of Music
Ruth Eckerd Hall’s popular Friends of Music, which was established in 2010 to help provide arts education for students, is an
exclusive group of donors who enjoy private, invitation-only concerts, along with before and after parties, during each membership
year. This Friends of Music event, held at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, featured American singer, songwriter, musician, producer
and actor Bret Michaels, who with his band members, enthusiastically entertained their receptive first post-Covid live audience,
while also personally donating auction items and funds to the cause. For information about becoming a Friends of Music member,
contact (727) 712-2712 or visit RuthEckerdHall.com/membership.
148 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2021
Beth and John England of St. Petersburg,
Friends of Music Superstar Founders, were
glad for the opportunity to mingle with
friends while also being entertained by
showman Bret Michaels.
Tara Vernachio and long-time Ruth Eckerd
Hall backer Gary Gray were among the many
concertgoers who danced in the aisles and
next to the stage during the concert to the
delight of guest star Bret Michaels.
Bret Michaels and his band went all out
for Friends of Music’s first concert of the
season by providing donations, an auction
of personal items, plus a stellar performance
during his first post-Covid appearance.
Ken and Sheri Hoye, who are ardent
supporters of Ruth Eckerd Hall, sampled
drinks, hors d’oeuvres and mini-desserts
during the Friends of Music pre-concert
party in Ruth Eckerd Hall’s main lobby.
Jeff and Barb McDonald, who were seated
at a table that had been set up for the special
Friends of Music concert in front of the stage,
enjoyed interacting with guest performer
Bret Michaels.
Tim Meyer and Friends of Music member
Jen Howard sampled appropriately themed
desserts and drinks during the private
gathering’s post concert party in Ruth Eckerd
Hall’s newly expanded lobby.
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