Shining Stars Network is a nonprofit organization that is shining the light on the special needs community through the performing arts and other activities. The organization has several exciting events planned in the coming months. Shining Stars will be hosting their inaugural “Reach for the Stars” Gala on Wednesday, November 6, at the elegant Park Savoy Estate in Florham Park, New Jersey, featuring a 5-star dinner and show featuring the Shining Stars special needs cast members.
The night will feature a cocktail hour with open bar, a sit-down dinner of Chateau Briand and a Venetian hour. Highlights of the night include a 45-minute performance from the amazing and talented Shining Stars cast, a 50/50 raffle and auction items.
“This is a night we’ve been dreaming of having for quite some time,” noted Shining Stars Network co-founder and President Mike Curci. “As we continue to expand our mission of providing opportunities in the performing arts, we felt a gala would be a wonderful way to introduce our special stars to the corporate community and other donors while raising funds that will allow us to grow our programs.”
Shining Stars Network is an expansion of the successful Shining Stars talent shows which began in Cranford, New Jersey a decade ago with 15 cast members. That number has grown to more than 40 and there are new requests each week from those who wish to become a part of the Shining Stars family. While the majority of cast members live in Union County, there are cast members from seven different counties who have taken the stage.
“It’s an exciting time for our organization and we continue to receive requests from those who want to join our cast,” said Curci. “We know there’s a need for what we are providing and our goal is to continue our mission of creating even more opportunities to be on stage in the future.”
Tickets for the “Reach for the Stars” gala are available at shiningstars.booktix.com or you can email your ticket request to [email protected]. Tickets are $150 per person.
Shining Stars is also excited to present their second annual Christmas Spectacular, an evening of holiday favorites presented by the cast, filled with sing-a-longs and audience participation, including the return of highly popular “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” This year’s Christmas Spectacular will be presented at the historic Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Thursday, December 5.
Tickets for the Shining Stars “Christmas Spectacular” are on sale now at www.UCPAC.org/events. There will be a 10% discount on tickets through October 31st by using the code ‘holiday stars.’
