Singers 65 years and older to compete for $500 grand prize and pass to ride Tri-Rail
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (April 18, 2012) – Tickets are now on sale for Tri-Rail’s “Senior Idol,” featuring 12 talented singers, 65 years of age and older, competing for a $500 grand prize and pass to ride Tri-Rail for a year, on Tuesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at Parker Playhouse in Ft. Lauderdale. The competition, sponsored in part by Boomer Times, Holy Cross Hospital, John Knox Village and Seminole Casino Hollywood, will also feature performances by the Original Florida Follies, The Villagers of John Knox Village and 2011 Senior Idol Winner Josephine Dolce of Highland Beach.
“Once again, we are expecting to see an amazing competition with 12 of South Florida’s most talented senior singers,” said Bonnie Arnold, public information officer for SFRTA/Tri-Rail. “Tri-Rail remains committed to the senior community, offering discounted train fares and events such as Senior Idol to help encourage seniors to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.”
Nearly 150 seniors came to sing their hearts out for the chance to win a spot in the final 12 at a special audition held recently at ArtServe in Ft. Lauderdale. Each performance was judged on technique, style and stage presence.
The 12 performers chosen to advance to the final competition include:
Michael Aingel, Boynton Beach
12 Senior Idol Finalists
Millie Canellas, Delray Beach
Holly Carroll, Hallandale
Lenny Dwoskin, North Lauderdale
Frank Fitzgerald, Miami Beach
Deanne Friedberg, Boca Raton
Sharon Lovett, West Palm Beach
Ruth McMahon, Pembroke Pines
Ronald Mulford, Boca Raton
Adele Kiefer, Boynton Beach
Cathy LaBella, Coconut Creek
Ross Testaivti, Delray Beach
As part of Tri-Rail’s “Senior Idol” final competition, each of the 12 finalists will have the opportunity to impress the judges and audience by performing one song. The judges will then select the top five contestants, who will each perform an additional song. One winner will be selected to win the grand prize by a panel of judges, including Bonnie Arnold, public information officer at SFRTA/Tri-Rail and Anita Finley, publisher of Boomer Times.
The show will kick-off with a performance by the Original Florida Follies, a talented group of former New York and Las Vegas dancers, showgirls, choreographers, dance teachers and more who perform high-spirited tap and jazz routines for audiences across the state. Plus, The Villagers of John Knox Village and 2011 Senior Idol Winner Josephine Dolce will entertain event-goers throughout the evening.
Tickets for Tri-Rail’s “Senior Idol” are now on sale for $12.50 and can be purchased at the Parker Playhouse box office, www.parkerplayhouse.com or by calling 954-462-0222. Parker Playhouse box office hours are Tuesday through Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday and open 1.5 hours before shows on show days.
For more information about Tri-Rail’s “Senior Idol,” please call 1-800-TRI-RAIL or visit www.tri-rail.com.
About Boomer Times
Boomer Times is the leading senior publication in South Florida, serving more than 125,000 active adults in the tri-county area. Readers enjoy information about financial, health, social and other issues facing seniors.
About Holy Cross Hospital
Holy Cross Hospital is Broward County’s only full-service, non-profit Catholic hospital, and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross takes pride in the ability to combine quality medical care and advanced technology with sincere human compassion and understanding. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission and its medical team has earned a reputation for excellence unsurpassed in the community. To learn more about Holy Cross, visit www.holy-cross.com.
About Seminole Casino Hollywood
Seminole Casino Hollywood pioneered Indian gaming when it opened as the country’s first large stakes bingo hall in 1979, eventually expanding with gaming machines and poker. It is now home to over 1,250 state-of-the-art slot machines such as Diamond Lotto, the Seminole exclusive Super 6 Lotto, and hot titles like Sex & the City, Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Fortune, and Monopoly; a non-smoking 10-table poker room featuring free drinks and no-limit high stakes games 24/7; table games including Three Card Poker, Spanish 21, Mini-Baccarat, War, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em and Pai Gow Poker; and a high stakes bingo room. Seminole Casino Hollywood also features a full-service bar, two delis, and an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more information call 954-961-3220 or 1-866-2-CASINO or visit www.seminolehollywoodcasino.com
About John Knox Village
John Knox Village is a not-for-profit continuing-care retirement community (CCRC) located on a 64-acre campus of lakes and lush tropical landscaping in Pompano Beach. The Village opened in 1967 to provide seniors, aged 62 and over, a comprehensive community where they would be cared for life. The Village offers a full range of activities, in a Wellness environment encompassing independent living, assisted living and nursing care options for its residents. John Knox Village is located at 651 S.W. Sixth Street in Pompano Beach, just east of I-95 and south of Atlantic Boulevard. Call (954) 783-4040 for more information.
About Tri-Rail
Tri-Rail, South Florida’s premier commuter rail system, serves Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties with 18 conveniently located train stations, bus and Metrorail connections and service every day of the year. For more information about Tri-Rail, visit www.tri-rail.com or call 1-800-TRI-RAIL.