SIX TIME GRAMMY WINNER TONI BRAXTON AND THE MAHAFFEY THEATER SUPPORT LUPUS FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA

SIX TIME GRAMMY WINNER TONI BRAXTON AND THE MAHAFFEY
THEATER SUPPORT LUPUS FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA

St. Petersburg, Fla. (August
13, 2013) – R&B, pop, jazz and
gospel singer, star of the hit reality series Braxton Family Values, and lupus patient, Toni
Braxton, will perform at The Mahaffey Theater on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 7:30
p.m. The theater is making a $5 per ticket donation to Lupus Foundation of
Florida when the promotional code “lupus” is used when purchasing tickets
online or at the box office.

In
2010, Braxton publicly announced she has lupus, a debilitating autoimmune
disease that can attack the body’s tissues and organs, affects more than 1.5
million American’s, and is more prevalent among women of color. The cause of
lupus is unknown and is difficult to diagnose and treat. There is no cure.

“Toni’s
personal battle with lupus is an inspiration to so many who are suffering with
the disease. We are so grateful that The Mahaffey Theater selected our
organization to benefit from her show,” said Rick McCollum, president & CEO
of Lupus Foundation of Florida. “The donations we receive from this event will
support our goal of opening of a free lupus clinic in St. Petersburg for
patients who otherwise could not afford treatment.”

Ms. Braxton won two Grammys® as
Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “Another Sad Love
Song” in 1993 and another Grammy® in the same category the next year for
“Breathe Again.” She won a Grammy® for R&B vocal performance for “You’re
Making me High” in 1996 and also two Grammys® in Best R&B and Best Pop
Female Vocal Performance categories in 1997.

Her signature song, “Unbreak My
Heart,” ranks as the second top-selling single of all time by a female artist.

Tickets
for Toni Braxton are $45.50, $55.50, $69.50, $75.50, $99.50 and can be purchased online at TheMahaffey.com, charge
by phone 727.893.7832 or in person at The Mahaffey Box Office. The promotional code “lupus” must be used
for the theater to make a $5 donation to Lupus Foundation of Florida.

Box office hours are 11 a.m.-5
p.m. Monday-Saturday and 90 minutes before any publicly-ticketed event. There
are no added charges ever on tickets purchased directly from The Mahaffey
Theater.

Lupus Foundation of Florida

Since 1979, Lupus Foundation of
Florida has served Floridian’s affected by lupus. The organization is
affiliated with the Lupus Research Institute National Coalition that funds
innovative research to treat the disease. The foundation also hosts patient
support groups throughout the state. Additional information is available online
at www.lupusflorida.org.

The Mahaffey Theater

The Mahaffey Theater, under the
management of Big3 Entertainment, is one of Tampa Bay’s top-rated performing
arts venues. Home to the Florida Orchestra, The Mahaffey Theater hosts
top-quality national and international artists and performances – Broadway, pop,
rock, comedy, dance, classical and interactive engagements and exhibitions.

Located in the heart of
downtown St. Petersburg, the 2,031-seat cultural jewel boasts spectacular
waterfront views and is located only minutes away from white sandy beaches and
world-renowned museums. Additionally, the theater supports the highly
successful Class Acts program, which enables school children to experience the
performing arts through in-theater performances as well as in-school outreach
and extension programs.

About The Bill Edwards
Foundation for the Arts

Founded as a 501(c)3 nonprofit
in 2009, The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts is dedicated to the success
and future of The Mahaffey Theater and to the notion that through diverse
programing and patron membership support, performing arts should be enjoyed by
all of St. Petersburg’s citizens. It’s your theater!

The Bill Edwards Foundation for
the Arts is committed to supporting and presenting all genres of the performing
arts at The Mahaffey Theater, funding arts education for school children
through the Class Acts performance series and providing its member patrons with
unequaled services, entertainment and cultural experiences.

###