*Originally published on April 18. Republished on April 28 as timely reminder.
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – As a kid from South Florida, my family must have taken a road trip to the Keys at least 30 times. It was a rite of passage to visit the island chain at least once every summer.
Our crew consisted of my mom, stepdad and me. Anticipation was our fuel as we packed mom’s maroon 2007 Honda CRV with our luggage and a cooler filled with drinks and snacks.
Our traditional first stop: Robbie’s in Islamorada which is famous for its tarpon feeding area and eclectic pop-up shops. Once I purchased a hermit crab there, after begging mom for 15 minutes.
While cruising down the hot highway of U.S. Route 1, my stepdad set the tropical mood. He stayed in full control of the music while occupying the driver’s seat, the playlist not up for debate. I remember the process to a tee. He’d eject the disc already in the slot (usually something by Third Eye Blind) and slide in a copy of Beach House on the Moon by Jimmy Buffett. Fittingly, he would crank up the volume until our ears rang and car shook.
We would sing along to cuts such as “Lucky Stars” and “Flesh and Bone” which was a personal favorite of mine. To the delight of my stepdad, Buffett’s voice and steady guitar chords did put us in the tropical mood he desired.
The carefree life Buffett’s lyrics portrayed created a calming effect. To this day, I find myself turning to the island escapism of Buffett’s music to lift life’s stress off my shoulders.
For those of you with a similar nostalgic feeling about Jimmy, you’re in luck.
On Sunday, April 28, the Ocala Civic Theatre (OCT) is hosting a block party for those looking to waste away again in Margaritaville.
The Escape to Margaritaville Block Party will be a night of dancing, drinking and dining to celebrate the late singer who died in September at 76 and kickoff the OCT’s run of the musical of the same name showing May 2-19.
The musical, which features songs from Buffett’s discography, reminds us that no matter where we are, it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere.
“It’s just going to be a big, fun street party,” said Laurie Zink, organizer of the event and OCT Board Member Emeritus. “Knowing that the Escape to Margaritaville was our last show, we thought the party would be a great opportunity to promote the theater.”
To make way for cheeseburgers in paradise, SW Broadway Street in downtown Ocala will be shut down from The Lodge all the way south across the SW 1st Ave. intersection to The Black Sheep on Broadway.
“We’re doing things like having hundreds of beach balls and handing out super soakers. It’s just going to be a lot of fun,” said Zink.
Anchoring the party will be music from acclaimed Jimmy Buffett tribute band Gary Roland and The Landsharks who have performed alongside Buffett multiple times.
The party will be an open container event, with specialty margaritas available for pirates and Parrotheads of drinking age to purchase.
The winner of a raffle will walk away with an autographed guitar Buffett used in concert.
Tickets to the event are $45 for general admission and $60 for VIP and can be purchased online or in-person at the OCT box office at 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala.
The VIP package includes a special section for the Landsharks show and access to a VIP lounge at The Black Sheep on Broadway.
All proceeds from the party benefit OCT.“The party is for a super good cause, and I hope people will support the theater by coming to both the event and the show,” said Zink.
The musical, Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville, has 15 performances starting May 2. Show times are 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for the musical cost $30 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and under. To reserve your ticket, click here.