A Coral Gables concert that has brought local musicians together in support of people living with Parkinson’s disease will celebrate its 10th anniversary Friday, Nov. 6, with an evening of music benefiting the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Evening of Songs & Memories begins at 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Parish, 5692 N. Kendall Drive. Tickets are advertised at $30, with a $10 student rate, according to the organizers’ invitation.
Organized by Carolina Kimball, the anniversary program continues a decade-long effort to recognize people affected by Parkinson’s disease and the family members and caregivers who support them.
The event’s promotional materials describe an evening of “Timeless compositions featuring exceptional local musicians,” with proceeds benefiting programs for people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners.
A decade of music and community support
The concert is associated with Moving Day Miami, the Parkinson’s Foundation’s annual fundraising walk, which brought participants to Tropical Park Stadium Oct. 31.
The foundation’s Moving Day program raises money for Parkinson’s research, patient care, education and community outreach. The walks also bring together people living with the disease, family members and caregivers for an event centered on movement and mutual support.
The anniversary concert extends that charitable effort through music, providing another opportunity for South Florida residents to contribute.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can also cause problems with sleep, mood, thinking and other functions. Its symptoms and progression vary considerably from person to person.
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation’s national statistics, approximately 1.1 million Americans are living with the disease, and nearly 90,000 people are diagnosed each year. The foundation projects that the number of Americans affected could reach 1.2 million by 2030.
Those figures help explain why its programs extend beyond medical research to include educational resources, support networks and assistance for families navigating the demands of the disease.
Recognizing the people who provide care
The concert’s mission explicitly includes the relatives and caregivers whose lives are affected by Parkinson’s.
As the disease progresses, family members may assume responsibilities ranging from transportation and medical appointments to assistance with daily activities. The demands can be emotional as well as physical, particularly as a loved one’s needs change.
The Parkinson’s Foundation offers resources for care partners, including educational courses, support groups, information about treatment and guidance on maintaining their own well-being.
Its Florida chapter also connects families with local programs, medical resources and opportunities to participate in the Parkinson’s community.
The concert organizers describe their anniversary event as a tribute to those living with the disease and the people who care for them.
Music’s connection to Parkinson’s
Music also occupies a place in therapeutic programs for people with Parkinson’s, although Friday’s concert is presented as a fundraiser rather than a clinical activity.
In a 2018 discussion of music therapy, the Parkinson’s Foundation described how structured musical activities, including singing, rhythmic exercises and group participation, can help address difficulties with movement, speech and social isolation.
The foundation’s account drew on a presentation by music therapist Concetta Tomaino, who explained how rhythm can help organize movement and singing exercises can support communication.
Those approaches involve directed therapeutic activities and should not be confused with attending a concert. Still, the broader connection between music, communication and human connection gives the anniversary program a fitting theme.
The organizers have not released a detailed program identifying the performers or musical selections. The promotional materials promise compositions performed by local musicians but do not specify the repertoire.
Tickets and registration
The concert takes place Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Parish, on North Kendall Drive near Red Road.
Although the parish uses a Miami-area mailing address, the property lies within Coral Gables. The Gazette reported in March that the city annexed the six-acre church and school campus in 1996.
The organizers’ invitation lists tickets at $30 for general admission and $10 for students. Donations are also welcome.
The invitation gives an Oct. 30 RSVP deadline, while an earlier flyer specifies Oct. 15. Neither document establishes whether tickets remain available or will be sold at the door.
Prospective attendees can call 305-537-9960 to confirm ticket availability and registration arrangements. The number is also listed as a contact for the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Moving Day Miami event.
The event’s fundraising page is linked from the public concert listing, although ticket-purchase functionality could not be independently confirmed.
For its 10th anniversary, Evening of Songs & Memories continues a local charitable tradition built around two forms of support: the contributions that help fund Parkinson’s programs and the shared experience of music honoring those living with the disease and those who care for them.
Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff
Originally established in 1996 and relaunched as a digital publication in February 2025, the Coral Gables Gazette is an independent local news organization dedicated to factual, objective and accountable community journalism. Our newsroom reports on the people, policies, institutions and events shaping Coral Gables, Florida, providing residents with timely, informative coverage of the issues affecting their community. Our reporting includes City Hall, local government, municipal elections, public spending, real estate development, business, education, arts and culture, and neighborhood affairs throughout the City Beautiful. We follow City Commission decisions, examine public records and report on the businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to Coral Gables. We believe informed residents are essential to a healthy, engaged community. Stories published under the Coral Gables Gazette News Staff byline are prepared or compiled by the publication's editorial team. We strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and clear distinctions between news reporting, opinion and advertising. Readers are encouraged to submit news tips, corrections, editorial inquiries and story suggestions through our Contact page and learn more about our standards through our Editorial Policy.
