Valentine's Day is focus of benefit

Columbia County residents will have the chance to open their hearts to the arts by attending a benefit concert Thursday at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion.

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"Each year we try to theme it around a holiday," said Liz Stockstill, a community events specialist for the county. "This one is going to be around Valentine's Day."

Columbia County Com-munity Events will present My Funny Valentine at 7 p.m. at the pavilion. Proceeds will benefit the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center Endowment Fund. This marks the third year of the benefit concert.

"The Arts Endowment Fund supports and encourages performing arts of all kinds in the Columbia County Performing Arts Theater," Stockstill said.

Music will be performed by the Swingin' Medallions, a band from Greenwood, S.C., which formed in 1962.

Drummer Robby Cox said the eight-member group will play its regular set, including past Medallions hits, cover songs, beach tunes, and music from the 1960s and 1970s.

"The bulk of our business is like festivals and concert series and that type of thing, but we do a lot of things for the arts," said Cox, who joined the band more than 20 years ago.

The event is black-tie optional and will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres by The Baton Rouge Chef, and a silent auction or raffle and a cash bar.

Tickets cost $75 per couple and $40 per guest. All tickets must be purchased by 6 p.m. Wednesday .

"Patrons that attend can expect to hear great music, eat wonderful food and dance the night away, while supporting a great endowment fund for Columbia County," Stockstill said.

Tickets are available at Columbia County Community Events, which is in Building B in the Evans Government Complex.

For information about the concert, call (706) 312-7192 or visit www.columbiacountyga.gov.