Heather Ard celebrated her 40th birthday in style Monday and like a lot of aging parents, the popular Villages’ singer needed a little help from her kids.
“You never know what’s going to happen with the little ones, but they were great,” Ard said after a benefit performance at the Mulberry Grove Regional Recreation Center.
It was billed as “Thank You For the Music: A 40th Birthday Celebration.” Proceeds benefitted the Alzheimer’s Family Organization, and Music & Memory. Maestro Bill Doherty accompanied Ard on piano.
A highlight of the evening came when Ard’s children – Ella, 5; Joey 4 and Paulie 9 – took the stage with Mom for a medley from “The Sound of Music.”
The kids not only sang, but displayed various dance moves—including running back and forth – and also hiding behind mommy’s skirt. It wasn’t polished but it was fun, as Ard sang such numbers as “Do-Re-Me,” “The Lonely Goatherd” and “So Long, Farewell.”
“If you thought this was something, you should have seen them yesterday,” cracked Paul Ard, Heather’s husband and father of the chorus.
It was all in good fun for a good cause.
“I’m so thankful that so many people came out to celebrate my birthday and donate to fight Alzheimer’s,” said Ard, whose aunt is afflicted with the memory issues.
Ard is a talented singer, who has performed with the Central Florida Lyric Opera and also the singing servers at Katie Belle’s.
This birthday bash was a family affair for Ard. Her brother, Dennis Beirne, joined her early on a rousing version of “That’s Life.”
“We always sang in our family,” Ard said. “And we still do.”
Ard displayed her power and range on “I Dreamed A Dream” from “Les Misérables.”
Then she switched gears for a hot rendition of “All That Jazz.” Ard was equally adept on the rousing, “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina” from “Evita.”
Ard’s family and the rest of the audience responded with loud applause.
“I think my daughter is wonderful on and off stage and this is a special night for all of us,” said her mother, Carol Beirne, who attended the event with Heather’s sister, Jeanne Baranek, and Stepfather Robert Rupp.
There was one complication for Carol Beirne. “The only problem is now that everyone knows Heather is 40, I can’t tell people I’m 55 anymore.”
Heather herself is taking the big 4-0 in stride.
“I was dreading it until tonight,” she said. “Then, when I had to opportunity to sing to all these people, I felt a lot better.”
