Live Music at The Heights Center Thursday, June 1

Live Music at The Heights Center Thursday, June 1

(Fort Myers, Fla. – May 8, 2023) —The Heights Foundation will host The Heights Party Band concert on Thursday, June 1, at 7:00 p.m. at The Heights Center, 15570 Hagie Drive in Fort Myers.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.  The evening will include familiar and forgotten favorites, classic rock, country, and a little “chaotic spontaneity.” 

The party band is a group of rotating high-quality local musicians who call The Heights Center home for several concerts each year.  Admission is $20 per person, including light snacks and a cash bar.  Randy Mercer, CRE Consultants, sponsors the event.

Randy Thomas (formerly with Shania Twain, ALLIES, and Sweet Comfort Band) leads the party band.  He will head up a professional veteran rock, pop, and country jam.  Randy Thomas is best known as the GRAMMY award-winning songwriter of the crossover hit “Butterfly Kisses.”

The concert features well-known local musicians, Kevin Kenworthy (formerly with Loretta Lynn) on vocals, keyboards, and guitars; Rob Robinson (producer for Lynyrd Skynyrd) will contribute vocals, keys, and guitar work; Los Angeles’ and Nashville’s Steve Latanation (Bryan Duncan/Various Artists) on drums and Nashville’s Matthew Chapman (formerly with ALLIES) on bass.

Lori Thomas will also join on vocals.  Randy and Lori Thomas perform the Naples and Fort Myers country club circuit.  “When we play country clubs, they are dressy and fun, but they are private events,” said Lori Thomas.  “The Heights Party Band is a chance to do a mix of singalongs with our friends.  Everyone is invited.”

“This is a band that can pivot on a dime.  Everyone is so professional that the song choices are improvised,” said Randy Thomas.  “Any of us may start a song- unannounced- and the rest follow.  The chaotic nature of this band makes it a lot of fun.  We surprise ourselves every year!”

For tickets, visit www.heightsfoundation.org/heightspartyband.  Tickets will also be available at the door.  The Heights Center is at 15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers, 33908.  For more information, call (239) 482-7706

About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center

The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.   Our mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts.    The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment.   Heights Early Learning serves more than 80 babies through 4 years old.   The Heights Center serves 134 children in AfterSchool and SummerCamp.    The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 180 children from kindergarten through fifth grade. Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community.   Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments.    Demographically, the population is approximately 70% Hispanic, 20% African-American, and 8% Caucasian.    The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average.  As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.