The College of Medicine is home to one of the world's leading dystonia researchers. Tallahassee is home to a tireless and passionate advocate for finding a cure. That's where this invitation to spend Valentine's Day at the University Center Club begins.

Dinner and a performance by the Capital City Playhouse is being offered in the effort by Tallahassee businessman Erwin Jackson to support dystonia research.

His son, Brian, was afflicted with dystonia, a neurological movement disorder, at age 15. Because of advances in treatment for dystonia, Brian Jackson succeeded in getting out of his wheelchair and is on track to graduate from Florida State this spring.

Dr. Pradeep Bhide, professor of biomedical sciences at the College of Medicine, is part of the effort to better understand dystonia's cause and effect. Bhide is a leading neuroscientist who recently joined the College of Medicine faculty after 20 years at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital.

He is director of the new Center for Brain Repair at the College of Medicine.

"I know well how much of a difference one person can make in the effort to produce momentum for finding a cure," Bhide said. "I am impressed by Dr. Jackson'sefforts to support dystonia research and I believe those efforts are an important part of the process."

Capital City Playhouse will perform "The Complete History of America (abridged)" on Feb. 14 in the Futch Ballroom at the University Center Club. Dinner begins at 6:30 and the show begins at 8. Tickets are $49.95 with net proceeds supporting dystonia research.

For additional information, or to purchase tickets, contact Jessica Rossow: (850) 645-5693 or jessica.rossow@ourclub.com