Published On: Tue, Oct 25th, 2016

Jimmy Buffett To Perform at Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Weekend Gala

Singer/songwriter and best-selling author Jimmy Buffett will perform at Chris Evert’s annual Gala on Saturday, November 19, as part of the 27th annual Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity weekend.

jimmybuffetttttttThe three-day event (Nov. 18-20) serves as a fundraiser for Chris Evert Charities, with proceeds going to combat drug abuse and child neglect in Florida.

Evert has hosted the event since retiring from the professional game in 1989, and her charity weekends have raised more than $22.5 million to meet needs in the South Florida community.

The elegant evening Gala will be held at the Boca Resort & Club and includes a cocktail hour, silent and live auctions and an exquisite dinner that precedes an inspiring message by Evert, the 18-time Grand Slam champion, followed by an acoustic performance by legendary singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett. Buffett will be accompanied by eight-time Country Music Association (CMA) Musician of the Year Mac McAnally.

“We are honored and thrilled that Jimmy chose to perform at our event in the middle of his very busy tour schedule,” said Evert. “This is a great opportunity to see one of the world’s most talented performers in an intimate setting. It will be fun to be a Parrothead that evening!”

Tickets are $750 per person and can be secured online at chrisevert.org. The cocktail hour begins at 6:00 pm.

Buffett has recorded more than 50 albums, many of which have gone gold, platinum or multi-platinum.

He first achieved notoriety with his sixth album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes  (1977) with hit song “Margaritaville.” A year later signature song “Cheeseburger in Paradise” was released on his next record Son Of A Son Of A Sailor. Both albums have gone platinum.

Jimmy and Alan Jackson won the 2003 CMA (Country Music Association) for “Vocal Event Of The Year” for “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” And the song won again, for “Single Of The Year” and “Video Of The Year” at the 2003 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards.
Buffett has authored seven books – three went to the top of the New York Times bestseller lists – and he is one of only a handful of authors who have seen both their fiction and non-fiction books go to No. 1.

The Pascagoula, Mississippi native is charting new courses with a foray into theatre; in May of 2017 “Escape To Margaritaville” the musical will have its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in California.

The Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic has also announced that longtime supporter and former “Saturday Night Live” comedian Jon Lovitz and “Scandal” starScott Foley will return to the fundraiser along with first-time event participants Jamie McShane of “Bloodline” and fashion stylist Emmy-winning Carson Kressley, formerly of “Queer Eye.” Foley is making his first appearance since 2013.

The trio will join already-announced celebrity actors Shawn Hatosy (Southland), Kevin McKidd (Grey’s Anatomy), Timothy Olyphant (Justified), Maeve Quinlan (The Bold and Beautiful) and Alan Thicke (Growing Pains); musician singer, producer and “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson and singer/songwriter David Cook, the Season 8 “American Idol” winner.

The event also announced that tennis pros who will participate in the fundraiser include International Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova, former WTA doubles champion Rennae Stubbs, former WTA world No. 2 Andrea Jaeger, and former ATP pros Vince Spadea and Jesse Levine.

The 2016 event will continue to feature a Tennis Pro-Am and Classic Cocktail Reception at the Boca Raton Resort & Club (Friday, Nov. 18); Pro-Celebrity Tennis sessions at the Delray Beach Tennis Center (Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 19 & 20); as well as Saturday evening’s Gala.
Chris Evert Charities partners with the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, a public-private partnership blending state and private dollars and investing them in innovative, community-based programs. The programs give Florida children a chance to live free from the ravages of drug abuse and neglect. Chris Evert Charities has also funded 41 scholarships that have assisted single moms in attaining college degrees.

Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic premium seats range in price from $40 to $90 for both Saturday and Sunday sessions. Club seats with seat backs are $40 per day or $70 for the weekend and courtside box seats (rows 1-8) are $90 per day or $175 for both sessions. General admission tickets are $20 per session.

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