Speed painter Rock Demarco will transform a blank canvas into a giant masterpiece with a live art performance this Saturday, March 10th, at UCP of Central Florida’s An Evening at the Palace Gala to be held at Lake Buena Vista Hotel & Spa. The piece will feature the iconic images of Jake and Elwood Blues, characters famously portrayed by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in Saturday Night Live skits and The Blues Brothers motion picture.

With Dan Aykroyd serving as the co-host of An Evening at the Palace, alongside actress Cheryl Hines, the painting will immediately be auctioned off with proceeds to benefit UCP of Central Florida, a not-for-profit school and therapy center.

Other entertainment components of the 19th annual fundraiser will also embrace The Blues Brothers theme including a performances by The Jake and Elwood’s Blues Revue, an impersonator duo officially sanctioned by the Belushi estate. Over 800 guests will experience familiar songs from the hit movie and television show. Children who attend UCP will also be dressed in character!

Aykroyd is best known as one of the original cast members from Saturday Night Live and for his roles in blockbuster movies like The Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters, and Driving Miss Daisy, a movie that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Most recently he starred as the voice of Yogi Bear in the 2010 animated movie, Yogi Bear.

Hines is a two-time Emmy-nominated actress for her role as Cheryl David on HBO's Golden Globe Award-winning series Curb Your Enthusiasm. She currently stars in Suburgatory, an ABC comedy series. Inspired by her nephew Michael, who has cerebral palsy and attends a UCP of Central Florida campus, Hines has hosted the events for many years and is a UCP National Board Trustee.

For more information, visit www.ucpgala.com or UCP at (407) 852-3352.

It is through the generous support of the community that UCP of Central Florida is able to provide support, education and therapy to over 2,400 children and families each year. Every dollar helps to provide critical needs such as therapy sessions for a child in financial need, additional teaching staff in the classrooms and educational supplies like books and adaptable toys.

The 2012 Evening at the Palace Gala is pleased to welcome an Honorary Host Committee. These ambassadors are championing the mission of the UCP of Central Florida and we extend our gratitude for their leadership.

Congresswoman Sandy Adams

Chas and Kim Bailes

Jackie and Charlie Bailes

Cynthia Bailes

Jess and Betsey Bailes

Dick and Andrea Batchelor

Sara Brady

The Honorable Rich Crotty

Sheriff Jerry and Val Demings

Commissioner Phil Diamond

Mayor Buddy Dyer

Dr. Deborah German

Dr. John Hitt

John W. Holloway

Mayor Teresa Jacobs

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

State Attorney Lawson Lamar

Roger and Janet Larue

Fred Leonhardt

John Morgan

Senator Bill Nelson

Clarence Otis

Representative Scott Plakon

Commissioner John Quinones

Representative Scott Randolph

Senator Marco Rubio

Senator David Simmons

Dr. Sandy Shugart

Representative Darren Soto

Chairman Bill Sublette

Commissioner Jennifer Thompson

Rick Walsh

Tom Yochum

UCP of Central Florida will celebrate a star-studded event at An Evening at the Palace Gala to be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa in the Walt Disney World Resort. The evening’s two celebrity co-hosts, Emmy-Award Winning Actor Dan Aykroyd and Emmy-Nominated Actress Cheryl Hines, will be joined by local stars impacting the mission of UCP of Central Florida, throughout six campuses providing support, education and therapy to children with and without disabilities.

The 19th annual fundraiser will present two of the organizations prestigious distinctions: the Jack Holloway Star of Gratitude Award and The Jackie Bailes Legacy Award. The Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation has been chosen as this year’s recipient of the Jack Holloway Star of Gratitude Award. The award is named after Jack Holloway, founder of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, for his life's work as an entrepreneur and philanthropist of many worthwhile causes including UCP of Central Florida. Honorees who receive the Star of Gratitude Award have demonstrated, through their community and philanthropic efforts, a commitment to continuing the legacy of serving children with disabilities. The generous support of The Martin Andersen-Garcia Andersen Foundation over the past decade has significantly impacted the development of UCP’s East Orange/Bailes campus and enrichment of services offered at various locations including UCP’s Pine Hills campus. 

Dr. Donald and Mrs. Cindy Diebel, of Winter Park, are the fourth recipients of the Jackie Bailes Legacy Award. The recognition honors passionate individuals whose love and guidance has helped UCP children and families build a better life, feel respected in striving toward specialized goals and realize their value as members of our community. The scope of Dr. Donald and Mrs. Cindy Diebel’s reach has truly been extraordinary by serving as the primary sponsor of The Faces Behind the Miracles Fundraising Breakfast, one of UCP’s signature events. Their leadership of this event over the past six years has been instrumental in communicating the value of UCP’s programs, while inspiring other community influencers to also embrace the mission to support our children.

In addition to the award honorees, the Evening at the Palace Gala is pleased to welcome an Honorary Host Committee. These ambassadors champion the mission of UCP at this fundraiser and throughout the year. The  2012 Honorary Host Committee includes Representative Sandy Adams, Chas & Kim Bailes, Charlie & Jackie Bailes, Cynthia Bailes, Jess & Betsy Bailes, Dick & Andrea Batchelor, The Honorable Rich Crotty, Sheriff Jerry and Val Demings, Commissioner Phil Diamond, Mayor Buddy Dyer, Dr. Deborah German, Dr. John Hitt, John W. Holloway, Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orange County Chief of Staff Graciela Noriega Jacoby, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., State Attorney Lawson Lamar, Roger & Janet Larue, John Morgan, Senator Bill & Grace Nelson, Representative Scott Plakon, Commissioner John "Q" Quiñones, Representative Scott Randolph, Senator Marco Rubio, Dr. Sandy Shugart, Senator David Simmons, Representative Darren Soto, Chairman Bill Sublette and Commissioner Jennifer Thompson.

An Evening at the Palace is presented by Premier Beverage and sponsored by Fishback Dominck, Baterby’s Art Auction Gallery, Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, Walt Disney World, Freeman, PSAV Presentation Services, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and Orlando Home & Leisure. All proceeds benefit support, education and therapy programs provided by UCP of Central Florida for children with and without disabilities. Sponsorships and tickets are available at www.ucpgala.com. For information, please call (407) 852-3352 or email mmannarino@ucpcfl.org.