Gala 2009 Decorated Floor at Lightner Museum

Menéndez Noche de Gala
Celebrating the 491st Birthday of don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés

Founder of St. Augustine and Adelantado of Florida
February 27th in the Historic Lightner Museum

Join in the 16th Century Noche de Gala Celebration honoring the founder of our nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine.   The celebration begins on Saturday February 27th at 5 p.m. at the city gate, the north end of St. George St.

To view the invitation, click here.

A grand and exciting procession through the city will announce the arrival of don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, Adelantado of Florida, and his colorful entourage. From the city gate to the Lightner Museum, Menéndez will lead the way engaging the town folks as he inspects his colony and prepares to enjoy his birthday celebration, Noche de Gala.

Procession from St. George St. to

Menéndez Noche de Gala at Alcazar

The arriving procession will find the Lightner Museum and grounds immersed in 16th century entertainment, actors, dancers, musicians, and colonial artisans, all anxious to greet Menéndez and wish him well. Don’t be surprised if Menéndez joins in the playful atmosphere.

The exquisite Lightner Museum Grand Ballroom is the setting for cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner on the Mezzanine at 8 p.m.. Entertainment features Menéndez, his entourage, strolling musicians, heralding horns, magicians, and swordsmen. Anything can happen. Following dinner, revelers dance to the contemporary sounds of The Company band, and the evening culminates with national anthems of Spain and the United States and shouts of “Viva Avilés, Viva St. Augustine!”

 

Floor and Balcony of Lightner Museum at 2009 Gala

This year the Gala is proud to present Chaz Mena portraying Menéndez. An award-winning actor of stage, film and television, Mena has conducted research on Menéndez, consequently, Mena’s presentation is clear and captivating.

Don’t expect Mena to present Menéndez all by himself. He will need your help; he will ask questions, and bellow answers. This Menéndez wants to know your opinion of the New World in the first settlement of this new continent, La Florida.

Menéndez was not a quiet man; we find him robust and exuberant, fond of music and a fine dancer. Chaz Mena’s outstanding interpretation of Menéndez will enlighten you, and you will get to know your city’s founder as never before, up close and personal.

Sponsors

Gala Sponsors are an important part of the success of the event.  Those sponsors and their categories are as follows:

Host

 

King Philip II

 

Adelantado

                     

 

           

 

Almirante

                                 

 

Capitan

                                     

 

Cynthia Jean Artisan Designs                       St. Augustine Family Dentistry

 

Hidalgo

       

 

 

                                

      

   

Sponsors

Avalon Carriage Services

John and Peggy Bailey

Big Fat Coupon Book

Nettie Ruth Brown

Leonardi's Nursery

Manning Building Supply

Teresa de Balmaseda Milam

Signs Now

Karmer and Sandy Upchurch

William F. Young

Herbert and Annette Wiles

 

For reservations and information call Catherine Culver at 904.825.5033 or email:  cculver@citystaug.com.

To view a presentation of the event, click here.

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