Gloria Estefan to hold Florida concert to benefit education

Gloria Estefan plans to hold a concert that will in part benefit education in Indian River County -- but the concert will be held not in Vero Beach, but at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL.

The October 24th event, Estefan's first U.S. concert in four years, is expected to draw 5,500 fans who will pay $95 to $250 to see the Latin pop superstar.

Estefan will perform her old hits and songs from her new CD "90 Millas." The concert starts at 8 p.m. on Oct. 24. Tickets go on sale on Aug. 15.

''It's going to be a greatest hits show, top to bottom,'' Estefan said at glitzy news conference in the packed lobby of the Hard Rock.

The Seminoles, who now own much of the worldwide Hard Rock empire, presented Estefan with several tribal gifts and a customized black-and-white Fender guitar, covered with roses, engraved with ''Gloria."

The Hard Rock, for its part, got some Estefan memorabilia to put on display, including the Miami Sound Machine satin jacket that husband Emilio wore when they met in the 1970s.

At the news conference, Estefan spoke passionately about public education, and said $2 from every ticket sold for the concert would go to Education Funds of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Indian River counties.

The Estefans also have pledged ''a sizable donation'' from their foundation to the education funds.

"Education is really our future.  If we don't educate our kids, where are we going to go, so I think it's important that somehow we find a way to make our educational system stronger," Estefan said.

"We are very grateful to the Estefans for their support," said Cynthia Falardeau, Executive Director of The Education Foundation of IRC. "Their gift will bring new awareness and support for our organization.

'This will help us to gain new volunteers and supporters for the students and teachers of Indian River County," she added. "We are very honored that they thought of our organization and those we serve."

The Estefans have a residence on the Vero Beach barrier island, and recently opened a luxury hotel, Costa d'Este.