The Beach Boys brought their timeless California sound to the Broward Center during a night filled with nostalgia and musical joy

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – The Broward Center for the Performing Arts was buzzing with energy as music legends The Beach Boys brought their signature sound to a sold-out crowd during the Broward Performing Arts Foundation’s 2025 Annual Celebration. The event, which combined gourmet dining, legendary tunes, and an inspiring cause, helped raise critical funds for the Center’s education and enrichment initiatives that serve tens of thousands of local students.

Presented by long-time supporters Charles and Laura Palmer, the evening was designed not just to entertain but to give back. And it did so with style, soul, and a whole lot of “Good Vibrations.”

The celebration kicked off in grand fashion inside the Au-Rene Theater. Guests were greeted in the Horvitz Lobby by white-gloved servers offering craft cocktails and warm welcomes. After the reception, attendees were ushered into the theater itself—transformed into a breathtaking dining space—for a gourmet meal served right on stage. The unique setup turned the theater into an immersive fine-dining experience, blurring the line between performance and celebration.

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Once dinner concluded, the crowd headed to the Amaturo Theater where the night’s headline act—The Beach Boys—took the stage. The legendary group delivered hit after hit, taking the audience on a nostalgic journey through decades of summer-themed anthems. From “Surfin’ USA” to “California Girls” and, of course, “Good Vibrations,” every song had the crowd swaying, smiling, and singing along.

After the concert, guests flowed out to the Wendt Terraces for a lively post-show party. There, they enjoyed specialty cocktails, comfort foods, and a lineup of decadent desserts. The celebration continued late into the night with live music by The Weedline Band and dancing under the stars.

But the night wasn’t just about entertainment—it was about purpose. In her welcoming remarks, Broward Performing Arts Foundation President Lisa Kitei emphasized the evening’s greater mission: “The impact of this evening will be felt long after tonight’s festivities end. The real beneficiaries of our Annual Celebration are the students whose lives are touched by the Broward Center’s education and engagement programs. On their behalf, I thank you all for your support.”

Senator George LeMieux, who serves as board chair of the Foundation, also spoke passionately about the Center’s far-reaching influence. “The Broward Center is not only the first performing arts center in South Florida, but it’s also the busiest theater in the state of Florida and home to the largest free arts-in-education program in the nation,” he noted. “We can do all that because we have your support.”

That support was on full display thanks to a wide range of generous sponsors. In addition to presenting sponsors Charles and Laura Palmer, the event was backed by a long list of philanthropic individuals and organizations. “Surf’s Up” sponsors included Ann M. Burris, Jeannette and Marty Engelmann, Linda B. Haller, The Salah Foundation, S. Donald and Michelle Howland Sussman, Gary Wendt, and Mark and Linda Wilford. “Fun, Fun, Fun” sponsors featured Amazon, BBX Capital, SPIRIT, JM Family Enterprises, Gunster, the Leo Goodwin Foundation, and many others. Special sponsorships also came from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Starmark, and Associated Printing Productions, Inc.

For nearly four decades, the Broward Performing Arts Foundation has played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape of South Florida. Since its founding in 1985, the Foundation has secured the private funding needed to not only build the Broward Center but also sustain its mission over the long term. From capital campaigns to support renovations, to fundraising for ongoing education programs, the Foundation continues to ensure that the arts remain accessible to everyone.

One of the Foundation’s most recent milestones was the completion of a $30 million campaign to renovate the iconic Parker Playhouse. Prior to that, the Foundation raised an impressive $60 million for the Encore! campaign, which revitalized the Broward Center and expanded its offerings.

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Today, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts is regarded as one of the top cultural institutions in the country. Hosting more than 850 performances a year and serving over 600,000 patrons, the Center offers a rich blend of concerts, theater, workshops, and educational programming. Its arts-in-education initiative alone reaches more than 100,000 students annually—many of whom experience live performance for the very first time through the program.

Beyond Fort Lauderdale, the Center also operates The Parker, the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center on the Nova Southeastern University campus, and the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in Miami-Dade County. This broad reach, combined with a commitment to community enrichment, makes the Broward Center a vital force in shaping the cultural and educational fabric of South Florida.

As the music faded and the last guests drifted off the terrace, one thing was clear—this year’s Annual Celebration was about more than a memorable night of music. It was about sustaining a vision, supporting the next generation of artists, and investing in a future where the arts remain a vibrant part of everyday life in Broward County.

For more information about upcoming events and programs at the Broward Center, visit BrowardCenter.org.