FIELD OF HOPE • Three of a Kind

Since its inception over 26 years ago, the Field Neurosciences Institute (FNI) has embraced the goal of helping others by providing the highest quality programs of clinical care, education, and research for those struggling with a disorder of the brain or spinal cord.   Although many people throughout our region are somewhat familiar with FNI programs, few people are familiar with the complete picture of the many special programs that are offered to help neurological patients and their families.

Each year the annual benefit concert & dinner for FNI is undoubtedly one of the premier social events of the Fall Season, bringing together broad segments of our community to enjoy gourmet cuisine and top-flight musical entertainment, while helping support one of the nation’s most cutting-edge medical institutes.

This year the Field of Hope: Three of a Kind will be happening on Friday, September 23rd at The Temple Theatre, beginning with a bountiful top-notch buffet at 5:30 PM and followed by a stellar musical performance featuring world renowned pianist Kevin Cole, hailing from Bay City, who specializes in 20^th Century American music; particularly that of George Gershwin. Also a musical director, arranger, composer, vocalist and archivist, he is regarded as the world’s foremost interpreter of Gershwin and the music of the Great American Songbook from that era.

Joining Cole will be American opera singer and classical recitalist Sylvia McNair, who has also achieved notable success on Broadway and in cabarets. She has appeared at opera houses around the world, including the Vienna State Opera, the Salzburg Festival, the Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera. She has made over 70 recordings, including many complete operas and a number of recitals.

Rounding out the evening will be Ryan Vandenboom, a New York based performing artist and teacher born in Munger, Michigan. A singer, dancer and choreographer, he started performing at age three when he began taking dance lessons. During high school he appeared in many musicals including Singin’ in the Rain, for which he recreated Gene Kelly’s original choreography. Vandenboom has performed nationally and internationally and most recently appeared in the Broadway musical Something Rotten starring Saginaw’s Brian D’Arcy James.

Tickets for this incredible event can be purchased at the Temple Theatre box office and start at only $15.00 for the show-only, and $125.00 for the buffet dinner & show.

Funds from the 2016 Fundraiser will be used to advance educational efforts by FNI and support programs that teach community and health provider education, offering free continuing medical education credits and lab experience for students; along with support groups for local victims of spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis, along with providing expert speakers and assistance to other support groups, including those for Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.  Additionally, FNI supports innovative procedures and instrumentation provided by their world-class neurosurgeons and research for treating injury and diseases of the brain and spinal cord.

This annual gathering and celebration is indeed one of the most worthwhile community endeavors that you can become involved with that manifests profound and long-lasting results. For tickets and more information, please call The Temple Theatre at 877-754-7469 or visit www.templetheatre.com