FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 6, 2026) – It was a night to remember at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts when the incomparable Darius Rucker took center stage during the Broward Performing Arts Foundation 2026 “Only Wanna Be With You” Annual Celebration, presented by Ann M. Burris and benefiting the Broward Center’s education and engagement programs.

The evening kicked off with a reception in the Peck Courtyard where guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before moving into the Amaturo Theater for an elegant Coastal Carolina–themed dinner party. The entire theater was decorated as a Lowcountry inn with views of salt marshes, coastal waterways and Spanish moss-draped trees on every wall. Dining tables glowed under the twinkling lights with exquisite tableware and picturesque centerpieces. The tables were set on the stage and on tiered platforms, separated by soft strands of white lights gracefully draped throughout the theater.

After welcome remarks by Lisa Kitei, President of the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Dev Motwani, Chair of the Foundation, spoke about the vital resources the Center provides to more than 100,000 students each year through its arts-in-education and community engagement programs. “We have the largest arts-in-education program in the country,” he said. “The numbers tell the story. We’ve served more than 3.8 million students from more than 150 schools with 50 plus separate education programs. That is an incredible impact on our community.”

In his concluding remarks, Broward Center President and CEO Ty Sutton reflected on the special significance of this year’s event as the Center celebrated its 35th anniversary. “Since 1991, the Broward Center has brought this community together through the power of the arts,” Sutton said. “What began as an idea has grown into one of the region’s most important cultural institutions, and the support of events like this ensures that the next generation will continue to be shaped by the inspiration and opportunities that the arts make possible.”

Following dinner, guests were escorted to lower orchestra seats in the Au-Rene Theater for the high energy, standing room only performance by Darius Rucker. The rock-turned-country star had the audience out of their seats dancing and singing along to hit after hit.

The evening culminated with a lively, lavish post-show tailgate party on the Wendt Terraces. Here guests enjoyed a feast for the senses that included after-show cocktails and dessert drinks, indulgent snacks, late night comfort foods, decadent sweet bites, live music and a visit from Miami Dolphins mascot TD in acknowledgment of Rucker’s long-standing and legendary love of the Miami Dolphins. In a nod to his fandom and favorite team, attire for the celebration made Dolphins gear optional.

In addition to Ann M. Burris as presenting sponsor of the Annual Celebration, “Wagon Wheel” table sponsors were Amazon; Jeannette and Marty Engelmann; Linda B. Haller; Hudson Family Foundation; Carol, Dean and Denise Miller; Charles and Laura Palmer; The Salah Foundation; S. Donald and Michelle Howland Sussman; and Gary Wendt. “Homegrown Honey” sponsors were Chris Ambs and Scott Clearwater Charitable Trust, Dr. Robert Wagner and Stephanie Aoun, BBI – Burdette Beckman Inc., Rita Case, Marty and Terri Cole, Gunster, JM Family Enterprises, Northern Trust, Stu Siegel, SPIRIT, Stiles, UKG, Joyce Worthington Virga, Linda and Douglas Von Allmen, Richard and Christine Welch and Jeremy and Yeva Wilford. Spirits sponsor was Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; program sponsor was Starmark; and invitation sponsor was Associated Printing Productions, Inc.

From the beginning, the Broward Performing Arts Foundation has been instrumental in providing support for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Foundation was established in 1985 to deliver the required private funding to build the Center and create an endowment to sustain its operations. Over the years, the Foundation has successfully raised funds to support the Broward Center’s innovative and diverse programming, arts-in-education initiatives, community engagement activities and capital projects. In 2021, the Foundation completed a $30 million capital campaign to renovate and restore the iconic Parker Playhouse. Prior to this, it raised $60 million to complete the Encore! capital campaign to renovate, renew and revitalize the Broward Center.