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The Marco Island’s Center for the Arts should be commended for one of the more colorful and thought through events on Marco Island’s social calendar this year — the pARTy, a Swashbuckling Soiree, was a success.

As we crossed the gangway onto our pirate ship, Vip Grover Co-Chair for a Swashbuckling Soiree “A Pirate Adventure” and Bill Morris President of the Marco Island’s Center for the Arts greeted each crewmember with a complimentary rum drink.

As we settled into our accommodations for the evening we could see five additional pirate ships in the distance. Each of the six ships was captained and crewed by a group of generous sailors intent on making the evening a success.

The costumes were unbelievable. You could tell that each crewmember spent a great deal of time insuring that not only did they look like pirates, but they also talked and acted like pirates.

There was one pleasant surprise to the pirate theme. Glenn Johnson took a different view of dress like a pirate. He came dressed as a Pittsburgh Pirate baseball player. This showed the imagination and creativity that Marco Islanders are known for.

As we sailed the seven seas on our adventure we were entertained by Frank Carroll Reggae Ambassador and Band. The band set the mood for the evening providing appropriate island themed music.

Captain George Moore Hook presided as Master of Ceremonies. Captain Hook also was in charge of metering out punishments for infractions deemed detrimental to the pirate code. Crew members could be sent to The Brig for infractions of the pirate code. Crew members could send other crew members to The Brig if they felt they violated the pirate code. The cost for sending a crew member to The Brig was a $5 donation. A wide variety of infractions were imposed on the night. No one was safe from being sent to The Brig.

Army First Lieutenant Derek Osen who was on Marco Island on leave visiting his Grandparents even had to spend time in The Brig.

Crew members had the opportunity to participate in a Treasure Chest Silent Auction. There was more than $30,000 in donated auction items open for bidding. These items were graciously donated by local businesses as well as works by local artists. If you were one of the lucky few to receive a winning envelope to enter the “Take Your Pick Gallery” you had the opportunity to take your pick from a gallery of artworks valued at more than $20,000.

All the artwork in the “Take Your Pic Gallery” was donated by members and participating artists of Marco Island’s Center for the Arts.

After all the plundering and pillaging, the crew members were treated to a fantastic buffet dinner prepared by the staff of the Marco Island Marriott Resort. The buffet consisted of island favorite’s roosted pork, grilled grouper, and various salads. After dinner the pirates took to the dance floor to celebrate the spoils of a hard night.

The Center for the Arts is a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote education in and appreciation of excellence in the arts. Its home is on Marco Island however the organization provides outreach with a Collier County Scholarship Program for high school juniors and seniors, and is a participant in the United Arts Council Miracle Project providing afterschool programs to Manatee School District students. In addition to in house programming for all ages, they also outreach to Tommie Barfield Elementary students with an Art Talks Program as well as partnering with other organizations in awareness of the arts. For more on the organization visit www.marcoislandart.com