By Margo Hammond. Black classical musicians have been in the spotlight lately, thanks to two recently published novels by Black violinist Brendan Slocomb. The first African American member of The Florida Orchestra — violinist Mary Corbett — joined in 1989. Now 38 years later, she is still the only full-time Black player in TFO…. Read More
By Kurt Loft. A woman risks her own life to rescue her wrongfully imprisoned husband. “It’s about democracy over tyranny and the things in life that aren’t fair,’’ says Mark Sforzini, conductor and artistic director of the St. Petersburg Opera, which stages a new production of Fidelio March 24-28… Read More
By Kurt Loft. “New music has to be performed – otherwise, classical music is going to die.” CAMPground23 hosts four concerts this week in St. Pete and Tampa, a pair of world premieres and 28 composers from the United States, Europe and Asia…. Read More
By Robin O’Dell. Dance photography is a difficult and dynamic practice requiring precise timing, knowledge of the medium – and the ability and willingness to collaborate with performers. One of the greats, who also just happened to live in St. Petersburg, was the late Thomas Kramer (1934-2022). … Read More
SAGES Theater in Tarpon Springs presents three Plays with Purpose this year, all with free admission. Each event entertains, educates and empowers seniors to meet the challenges of aging with humor and wisdom…. Read More
By Kurt Loft. If you had a front-row seat for Joyce Yang’s performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Florida Orchestra last Sunday at the Straz Center, you witnessed a bit of magic. Or, more accurately, you were swept up by an artist’s ability to concentrate on a magical level…. Read More
By Harriet Monzon-Aguirre. Visiting the Leepa-Rattner’s ARTS ALIVE! exhibit and seeing Thomas dancing with the photos, Madeline’s movements and William’s topsy-turvy viewing made me realize exactly what the entire exhibition was showcasing – how the human body and its movement through space is an important form of creative expression. … Read More
By Tracy Kennard. For the past nine years, the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance has been celebrating the diversity of arts and culture in St. Petersburg and paying tribute to the remarkable talent and variety you can discover around every corner of our amazing city. And each year, The MUSE Awards celebrate six outstanding artists and arts supporters…. Read More
In a potent conversation through his fascinating history, dancer John Parks shares his experiences touring the South during segregation, the creative revolution of the 1960s and his Movements Black Dance Repertory Theatre, how the early AIDS epidemic changed today’s Broadway – and how the dancers in the movie version of The Wiz went on strike for equal pay … Read More
By Kurt Loft. “We want to present music that’s innovative, virtuosic and unique,’’ says David Manson of the St Pete Jazz Festival. The indoor, boutique jazz fest emphasizes acoustic instruments in intimate settings – such as the Palladium Theater and the Museum of Fine Arts…. Read More
