Life, Arts & Society ED 22nd

Victoria Johnson of Boca Raton named winner of ‘South Florida Kids Got Talent’ competition sponsored by Tri-Rail on ‘Rail Fun Day’

Horses and Hounds event to aid Tri-County Animal Rescue draws crowd

A crowd of animal lovers gathered on Sunday, Feb. 19 at a farm in Lake Worth to celebrate the 14th Annual Horses and Hounds event, a fundraiser for Tri County Animal Rescue, the Boca Raton organization that rescues, cares for and adopts out stray and unwanted dogs and cats.

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By Dale King

Fifteen-year-old Victoria Johnson of Boca Raton was named the winner of Tri-Rail’s “South Florida’s Kids Got Talent” event which showcased the vocal talents of 11 young singers during Tri-Rail’s 13th annual “Rail Fun Day.”

The talent competition was held during the free family event at Tri-Rail’s Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport Station at Dania Beach that drew more than 3,000 people and generated a record

weekend ridership for the commuter rail system.

Just under 10,000 passengers rode the system on Saturday, March 5, making it the highest Saturday ridership figure in Tri-Rail history. The feat followed two consecutive months of increased passengers in 2023 for the service, as it reported a 30% increase in January and a 27% increase in February, compared to the same months in the previous year.

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Boca Stage and MNM Theater Company join forces for 2023-2024 season

Two of the most well-respected producers in South Florida, Keith Garsson (Boca Stage) and Marcie Gorman (MNM Theater Company), announce they have entered into a one-year agreement to produce four plays together at the Sol The -

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Keith Garsson

Marcie Gorman

ater in Boca.

Veteran Frank Feiler with his service dog, Cadillac.

Loki, a border collie owned by Diane and David Israel of Boca Raton, isdecked out in his captain’s suit for the Horses and Hounds event.

Mary Stern with her dog, Daisy.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado (left) and SFRTA/Tri-Rail Executive Director David Dech (right) present award to first place winner Victoria Johnson during Tri-Rail’s “South Florida’s Kids Got Talent” competition. (Photo by Michael Murphy)

Victoria Johnson of Boca Raton named winner of ‘South Florida Kids Got Talent’ competition sponsored

by Tri-Rail

on ‘Rail Fun Day’

By Dale King

Fifteen-year-old Victoria Johnson of Boca Raton was named the winner of Tri-Rail’s “South Florida’s Kids Got Talent” event which showcased the vocal talents of 11 young singers during Tri-Rail’s 13th annual “Rail Fun Day.”

The talent competition was held during the free family event at Tri-Rail’s Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport Station at Dania Beach that drew more than 3,000 people and generated a record weekend ridership for the commuter rail system.

Just under 10,000 passengers rode the system on Saturday, March 5, making it the highest Saturday ridership figure in Tri-Rail history. The feat followed two consecutive months of increased passengers in 2023 for the service, as it reported a 30% increase in January and a 27% increase in February, compared to the same months in the previous year.

“We were thrilled to see so many people on board the trains to join our annual event that encourages train ridership, connects our communities, and brings families together,” said Commissioner Raquel Regalado, SFRTA governing board chair.

“We are committed to the South Florida community and plan to produce more events like this to show people how easy it is to get to where they want to go throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.”

During Tri-Rail’s Rail Fun Day, South Florida families enjoyed face painting, cookie decorating, food trucks, arts and crafts with Art and Culture Center Hollywood and engagement with the Florida Panthers, Dunkin’ Do-

nuts, History Fort Lauderdale, CareerSource Broward, Abandoned Pet Rescue, Florida Children’s Theatre, Broward MPO and others. The event was sponsored by Herzog Transit Services and Dania Dermatology.

Young singers from Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties took center stage for Tri-Rail’s “South Florida’s Kids Got Talent” singing contest, competing for a $500 grand prize, one-year contract inclusive of a photo shoot with composite cards courtesy of Posche Models & Talent, professional studio recording sessions with MikeSoperMusic and a “Family Plus Membership” from Miami Children’s Museum.

Contestants performed a diverse selection of tunes and Victoria Johnson’s stage presence and performance of “Ain’t No Other Man” by Christina Aguilera won over the crowd and judges. A first runner-up winner, Sophia Victoria of Wellington, received a $250 cash prize.

Tri-Rail’s Rail Fun Day was created in 2007 to promote the benefits of the commuter rail system to South Florida families. The event has become an annual tradition for South Florida families to enjoy a free day of fun and entertainment and experience the convenience of riding Tri-Rail to get to work, school and local events and attractions.

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.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado (left) and SFRTA/Tri-Rail Executive Director David Dech (right) present award to first place winner Victoria Johnson during Tri-Rail’s “South Florida’s Kids Got Talent” competition. (Photo by Michael Murphy)

Horses and Hounds event to aid Tri-County Animal Rescue draws crowd

By Dale King

A crowd of animal lovers gathered on Sunday, Feb. 19 at a farm in Lake Worth to celebrate the 14th Annual Horses and Hounds event, a fundraiser for Tri County Animal Rescue, the Boca Raton organization that rescues, cares for and adopts out stray and unwanted dogs and cats.

Well-behaved pets took part in the popular dog show. The event included food and drinks, a silent

auction and raffles.

Rabbi Ellen Zoskin of Boca Raton gathered everyone in the center of the arena to conduct a prayer service.

This year’s event took place in a new covered riding arena. The gathering was hosted by Jane Bistline and Jeri Caprio at a farm on Pippin Plover Road in Lake Worth.

Boca Stage and MNM Theater Company join forces for 2023-2024 season

They said the 2023/2024 season will bring an entertaining mix of dramas and comedies to the stage, providing a dynamic opportunity for acclaimed professionals to collaborate. Subscriptions are currently available at the website www.bocastage.net or by calling 561-300-0152.

“Marcie and I have been friends for years, and we have always talked about working together on a project in a way that uses our combined our strengths and allows us to grow creatively,” said Garsson. “We finally determined that this was the season to join forces and produce an extraordinary season.”

Boca Stage has garnered years of critical praise for its edgy, provocative new works, but during this current season, their foray into comedy was met with a tremendously positive response, which expanded their fan base and influenced the current season, said Garsson.

MNM has received accolades since 2014 for their top-quality musical theatre productions and will be continuing to captivate audiences with shows including the delightfully naughty Disenchanted at The Rinker Playhouse in the Kravis Center.

By Dale King

The duo will divide some duties, for example. Gorman will manage set design and construction, while sharing other responsibilities including casting.

“Our objectives, our vision, and our missions are very much alike,” said Gorman. “We aim to produce top-quality professional theatre, using Florida talent – on stage and behind the scenes, and to provide our audiences with live theatre that enriches and inspires. In a post-Covid world, partnering affords us a wonderful opportunity that will benefit us both.”

The joint venture will open in December with a 2013 update of Wait Until Dark the classic thriller. The update moves the play back to 1944 from the 1960s while tightening up the story.

The season continues in January with The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess, a hard-hitting drama about a college professor and her student who explode into a passionate confrontation over race, power, privilege and the American Revolution.

Two different comedies follow: Boeing Boeing, the classic 1960s farce about a lothario juggling three different flight

attendants as the jet-age comes about and America’s Sexiest Couple by Ken Levine, a staff writer for M*A*S*H which has two sitcom stars from the 1990s reunite in present day for the death of their producer.

As Marcie and Keith will act as co-producers for all four shows, Genie Croft and Keith will continue to share directing chores.

Subscriptions may be purchased at www.bocastage. net, by calling (561) 300-0152 or by sending an email to boxoffice@bocastage.net. Performances will continue to follow the three-weekend runs of Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm

A subscription price of between $140 and $200 (depending on the performance day of week) is now available. Front row seating is available for an additional premium.

The Sol Theatre is located at 3333 N Federal Highway in Boca Raton.

Photos By Dale King

One of Tri County Animal Rescue’s service trucks.

Patriotic jewelry on sale table at Horses & Hounds event.