Owner of Bowing Oaks, Jim Efstathion, has a deep connection to the arts in North Florida, having moved to Jacksonville over 50 years ago to begin working with Ted Johnson and the Alhambra Dinner Theatre. During his years in Jacksonville, Efstathion and his family have become familiar and welcome faces at the Florida Theatre. “Each Christmas season for over a decade, The Florida Theatre became our second home as our daughters and their friends rehearsed and performed in the Nutcracker. Music, dancing and celebration have always been a part of our family’s DNA,” said Efstathion.
It was Jim Efstathion’s family that led him to create what has now become Bowing Oaks. “Seven years ago, my wife Cheryl came up with an idea. When most people were retiring, we designed and built a venue in a natural setting for one of our daughters to have her wedding. Bowing Oaks was born,” said Efstathion. “Our booking manager Heather Canada Randall remarked, ‘If you build it, they will come.’ And boy did they. With over 450 events held to date, Bowing Oaks is considered one of the premier wedding and events venues in north Florida. In addition to weddings, Bowing Oaks is home to 1 Vibe Dance, an internationally acclaimed dance studio with thousands of participants attending classes over the last four years.”
“I know Jim has a long history of involvement in the arts and theatre as a practitioner and also as a supporter. He knows the importance of the arts to business and business to the arts,” said Florida Theatre President, Numa Saisselin. “The Florida Theatre earns 85% of its annual budget from its business activities, and support from the business community, like our new Corporate Partner Bowing Oaks, helps to close that small budget gap every year and keep the Florida Theatre and its programs something special for our community.”
The historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre is sponsored by Community First Credit Union. For a complete list of upcoming events or to buy tickets visit the Theatre's official web site floridatheatre.com.
About Bowing Oaks: Located on five acres in the Bayard area of south Jacksonville, Bowing Oaks is the city’s premier wedding and event venue, with just the right blend of rustic elegance and modern convenience. Bowing Oaks’s 3,200 square foot ballroom can accommodate up to 200 guests with an unparalleled sense of rustic elegance. The venue is fully handicapped-accessible, has two spacious lounge/dressing areas for wedding parties, and a large catering kitchen. Bowing Oaks also has two unique outdoor ceremony sites, and numerous locations to take amazing photos.
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