By Lisa Dykes
Director, Ocean Reef Cultural Center
The Cultural Center at Ocean Reef is more than a “Cultural Center,” it is a community center for the entire Ocean Reef Community and members. Live performances, lectures, movies, library, museum, meeting rooms, dining and special parties are attended or used by most everyone in the community.
Each year our challenge is to top the previous year’s performances and entertainment and this year we feel the challenge was met.
During the holiday’s we have our family entertainment with Wild World of Animals starring Grant Kemmerer and Friends. His friends include some of the most majestic, interesting and bizarre live animals.
Little Big Town will kick off our season performing outdoors on the grounds of the Cultural Center. Returning again to the Cultural Center, is The Four Phantoms in Concert performing iconic music of Broadway. Jason Robert Brown and Laura Benanti will entertain with our Cabaret series. The Chamber Music Festival headed up by Artistic Director, Anne-Marie McDermott, will feature four evenings and one afternoon of program highlights. The Kat & Dave Show featuring Katharine McPhee and David Foster are bringing their viral Instagram show on the road.
February includes WAR, the original street band, who will be sharing its timeless music. This season, Zoetic Stage will be performing 39 Steps with a fast-paced whodunit theater show. Roger Daltrey, founding member of The Who, will be performing outdoors on the grounds of the Cultural Center. A Neil Diamond Concert Celebration starring the #1 Diamond performer – Jay White and the dynamic Sweet Caroline Tour Band will pay homage to Neil Diamond by performing his hits that we all know and love.
Maddie & Tae will bring their Country music to our theater. SPACE ODDITY featuring David Brightons, transports audiences on a musical journey through the career of David Bowie. Another outdoor concert featuring the Steve Miller Band will bring back memories of his 70s rock ‘n’ roll music. Country star Scotty McCreery will finish off our live performances of the season.
The Campus at the Cultural Center covers a variety of mind-expanding topics, presented by dynamic speakers who will inform and entertain. Dining with the Presidents and Dining with the Authors offers a relaxed and delicious way to learn from outstanding historians and authors. Great Decisions is a series of virtual lectures focusing on the problems facing the world today. The popular Film Society presents carefully selected films with culinary content.
The Cultural Center has been supported, since its inception by the generosity of Ocean Reef Club members, businesses and All Charities. This continued support has made the Cultural Center what it is today.
