DEX Imaging, the nation’s largest independent dealer of office printers and copiers, will be the 2019 Presenting Sponsor for the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre’s annual benefit party 80s on Forsyth.

On Saturday, May 18, the Florida Theatre transforms into a 1980s dance party that includes building out an extension of the stage to cover the ground floor seating. More than 240 guests will enjoy exclusive table seating for a sit down dinner on the main floor in the historic auditorium. Upstairs, in the mezzanine, the party expands where guests can savor heavy hors d’oeuvres, endless cocktails and 80s themed entertainment.

This year’s party features an all-request radio sponsor hour hosted by local on-air jockeys and 1980s Morning Zoo Crew alumni, Steve, Eden and Amadeus. The trio can be heard daily on Gator Country 99.9, Eden Kendall is also the co-host of WJXT Channel 4’s River City Live!

A benefit concert featuring guest artists performing the music of Madonna, Michael Jackson and Prince follows the cocktail and dinner hours. The evening ends with a party on the Florida Theatre stage, with live dance music by The Spazmatics.

“Sometimes there is an event in Jacksonville that you want to shout from the rooftops! 80s on Forsyth will be one of those fabulously rare nights when the energy and synchronicity of our city and the historic Florida Theatre come together to create a moment for the history books,” said Troy Spurlin, co-chair of 80s on Forsyth and owner of Troy Spurlin Interiors and Generation Us in Five Points.

Proceeds from 80s on Forsyth benefit the annual operations of the nonprofit Florida Theatre. Numa Saisselin, Florida Theatre President said, “We fundraise a small portion of our budget every year, about 15 percent, but that small effort makes big things possible. It underwrites a reduced rent for other nonprofit arts organizations to use the theatre. It pays for maintenance and preservation of this historic building in an accurate and appropriate way. It pays for the theatre to present arts and cultural programs to Northeast Florida residents that otherwise might not be here. The rock stars and comedians largely pay for themselves, and the fundraised money supports the presentation of music, dance and theatre artists such as Jacksonville Dance Theatre.”

“The Florida Theatre is an icon of Jacksonville’s arts and entertainment community, and the nonprofit arts in general are an important part of the fabric of Downtown Jacksonville,” says Missy Peters. “This is one reason why Community First Credit Union is involved in the Florida Theatre, and why I personally am involved in 80s on Forsyth.”

Table tickets include valet parking, a VIP cocktail party on the stage with Steve, Eden and Amadeus spinning music from the 80s, and an elegant plated dinner on the extended stage of the theatre, followed by the concert.

Individual tickets include valet parking, access to the theatre’s mezzanine, endless heavy hors d’oeuvres, an all-night open bar, and balcony seating for the concert. Individual tickets are on sale now.

To purchase a table, please contact Michelle Adams at [email protected]. Individual tickets can be purchased at floridatheatre.com/event/80sonforsyth/ or by calling the Florida Theatre Box Office at 904.355.ARTS(2787).

For a complete list of upcoming events or to buy tickets visit the Theatre’s official web site floridatheatre.com.