PALM COAST, Fla. – An evening of nostalgia, romance, and classic rock filled the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center as fans gathered to celebrate the music of Electric Light Orchestra, highlighted by the 50th anniversary of the band’s iconic hit “Evil Woman”.
In a packed house, for Barry Stewart, the night was about much more than just the music.
“I’m here for two reasons. One, my sister encourages me to come to these shows, and they’re a blast. They’re amazing.”
Stewart described how easy and enjoyable the evening had been.
“You come, it’s right in town. We went and got a nice dinner, and finished up by nine. I get to see a great show, and it’s all 10 minutes from the house. How perfect is that?”
Valentine’s Day on tap, the timing felt especially meaningful to see “Ticket to the Moon”, an ELO Tribute.
“It’s incredible,” Stewart said.
“My wife was really not an ELO fan. And I said, ‘You don’t remember that? This song?’ And she’s like, ‘Oh, now I, okay.’ By the age, you can tell—you really know these guys. But they’re amazing. They always were. I love it.”
Beyond the music, Stewart praised the venue itself.
“This is the best place in town. It’s so inexpensive. You’re right here, it’s clean. They got security. Look at this—controlled atmosphere. Beautiful.”
From the stage to the lobby, the evening reflected months of planning and community partnerships, according to Amelia Fulmer, director of the center.
“Tonight was great,” Fulmer said. “We had a “Ticket to the Moon”, the ELO tribute, and it was Valentine’s Day. So, it was a lovely evening.”
She noted that the event brought together music, food, and local support.
“Our sponsor was the Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, Inc. We had a partnership to bring some of those people out,” Fulmer said.
“And we also had The Landing Strip make a beautiful Valentine’s Day dinner that we sold to our patrons. So, it was a lovely night with steak and lobster, and Xanadu, and rock and roll, and great, great music.”
Fulmer was especially encouraged by the new patrons out to enjoy the evening.
“A lot of new faces here tonight—how exciting is that,” she said. “When it comes down to love and relationships, this is the place they think to come.”
She emphasized the importance of both loyal patrons and newcomers.
“We have our regulars who are here every time, and they help us make sure everything stays good,” Fulmer said. “They celebrate the place for what it is. So, when we get new ticket buyers, they discover the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, and then they come back. They buy more tickets. They find our beautiful community theater that’s about our community.”
As the final notes echoed through the venue, the evening left a lasting impression as the band held a meet and greet in the lobby.
For fans like Barry Stewart, it was simply perfect.
