Heartfest guests then enjoyed to a special performance of “Trials of the Heart” an original sketch written expressly for the event by members of the Johns Hopkins University Theatre and John Astin’s (and Patty Duke’s) youngest son, actor Mackenzie Astin. The comedic sketch was performed on an old-time radio show set where Mackenzie Astin and Hopkins students Michael Vincent, Elizabeth Eldridge, and Jason Michael Maur put some of the leading causes of heart disease on trial, in “Judge” John Astin’s court, for crimes against the heart.
Throughout the evening Heart-healthy cuisine was prepared and served by many of Baltimore’s most prestigious restaurants and caterers, complemented by fine wines from The Wine Merchant among them: Andy Nelson’s Barbecue; Babalu Grill; Biddle Street Catering & Events; Blue Sea Grill; Boccaccio Restaurant; Cabot Creamery; Charles Levine Caterers; Christopher Daniel; Eggspectation; Fusion’s Grill; The Gourmet Girls; The Greene Turtle; Greg’s Bagels; The Helmand Restaurant; Jordan’s Steakhouse; Josef’s Country Inn; King’s Contrivance; LaTasca Spanish Tapas Bar & Restaurant; Martin’s Caterers; Outback Steakhouse; Rocky Run Tap & Grill; Stone Mill Bakery; SugarBakers; Tio Pepe; Vin;Zeffert & Gold.
The dance floor was full of Heartfest guests, from ages 7 to 90, who danced to the sounds of Stevie V. & The Heart Attackers, the energetic, dynamic band comprised of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and other health care professionals who performed music from the 1950’s to the present including rock, soul, and swing. In addition, Stevie V. & The Heart Attackersadministered a talent test to top executives. The brave subjects included: Ron Peterson, president of Johns Hopkins Health System; Steve Geppi, president and chief executive officer of Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., creator of the Geppi Entertainment Museum, and owner and publisher of Baltimore Magazine; and, Tim Rhode, co-owner of The Maryland Athletic Club and Wellness Center (The MAC).
The education portion of the evening featured consumer education, exercise, and entertainment stations including: a display from the local chapter of the American Heart Association; a Maryland Athletic Club (The MAC) & Wellness Center display with exercise specialists who answered questions and unveiled The MAC’s new campaign centered around achieving wellness, and announced the opening of its Harbor East facility and its physician-referred Healthy Start Program; the national Sister to Sister: Everyone has a Heart Foundation display focusing on heart disease screenings and prevention; displays from leading pharmaceutical and medical supply companies; the Geppi Entertainment Museum (GEM) exhibit featuring a time machine of characters, toys and collectibles of our past and present that are displayed at the museum;
The Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Preventive Cardiology Center is a world leader in patient care, education and research regarding the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke. The Center’s doctors see patients at The Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center in Baltimore and at Johns Hopkins Heart Health at the MAC & Wellness Center in Timonium. For more information call Ms. Edie M. Bernier at 410-661-4102.
