Rocker Dave Matthews, unplugged at The Breakers Feb. 17 in Palm Beach (Click on the Mike Jachles photo for the full event gallery)
Rocker Dave Matthews left his family vacation and hightailed it to Palm Beach for the annual Everglades Foundation gala.
He played for an hour. Unplugged. And free of charge.
Kelly Slater signs a surf board for a fan (Click on the Mike Jachles photo for more of the event)
– Click here for the photo gallery of the concert and gala
That’s the kind of commitment that the Foundation, which funds cleanup and research efforts in the River of Grass, sparks in celebrities (country star Kenny Chesney and Sting preceded Matthews over the past two years), volunteers, donors and staff.
– Click here for the video of Dave Matthews’ show
Just ask 11-time surfing world champ Kelly Slater, who was the honorary chair. He was on his way to Australia for the beginning of surf season there but made a stop by The Breakers for Friday’s event.
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“Cleaning the Everglades is something that’s close to my heart,” said the bald surfing machine. “I was born and raised in Cocoa Beach, so I understand how important it is.”
And the gala, themed ”surfer chic” this year, has become by far the largest and richest society event of the Palm Beach season — never mind that the non-profit foundation is based in Miami!
It was expected to raise $2.1 million in one night, according to publicist Cheryl Crowley.
There was fire-power from the world of high finance, including former General Electric CEO Jack Welch, housing crash billionaire Jeff Greene and Wall Street investor Paul Tudor Jones.
The fiesta was emceed by MSNBC‘s Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski.
Spotted in the crowd: local attorney Jack Scarola; Palm Beach County State Attorney candidate Dave Aronberg; equestrian Georgina Bloomberg; Savannah Buffett, sent by dad Jimmy Buffett to represent the family; golf legend Jack Nicklaus; and Outback steak founder Tim Gannon.
So, who else was there? Click here to find out
For more non-profit news:
– Dezer car collection museum opens in North Palm Beach
– Goldie Hawn, UM kick off $1.6 billion campaign
– Tropical pound setting wows them at the Fairchild Tropical Garden’s yearly gala
– Dave Matthews to highlight Everglades Foundation gala
– Donald Trump at the Red Cross Ball: Negative electioneering hurts the GOP
– The Palm Beach zoo ball is where the wild things are
– Tebowing in Palm Beach: Donald Trump snags Tim Tebow garb at Komen for the Cure auction
– Rod Stewart, Housewife Ramona, cold hard cash star at Palm Beach Policemen’s Ball
– Young Friends of the Red Cross kick off the new year in style
– Rudy Giuliani highlights Palm Beach’s Salvation Army ball
– DWTS’ JR Martinez stars at LIFE Foundation
