It’s the summer of ’09. You’re hot and you’re broke. But if you can make it through the remainder of hurricane season, here in the middle part of Florida cooler weather and better days are just around the corner. Fall means football, but it also marks the beginning of a jam-packed arts season.
Whether you live in Bradenton, Brandon or Baldwin Park, you’re no more than a 90-minute drive from an absolutely amazing array of top-flight arts venues. Many are offering discounted ticket options this fall, and most are decidedly, pointedly LGBT friendly (see our advertisers). They know where their most loyal core audience lies.
Working west to east, from Sarasota to Daytona Beach, we’ve listed the best galleries, theaters and concert venues. We’ve also spotlighted a dozen or so uniquely exciting events, and profiled some members of the LGBT community who help the arts thrive in our region.
But our list is by no means exhaustive. We encourage you to visit the web sites for these organizations—also conveniently listed—for a full description of their offerings. And start making plans now. In these times, perhaps the brilliant abstract painter Robert Motherwell summed it up best: “Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it!”
Sarasota (and nearby areas)
ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE
941-351-8000
SARASOTA OPERA
941-366-8450
THE GOLDEN APPLE
941-366-5454
RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART
941-359-5700
VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL
941-953-3368
VENICE THEATRE
942-488-1115
St. Petersburg (and nearby areas)
AMERICAN STAGE
727-823-7529
FLORIDA CRAFTSMAN GALLERY
727-821-7391
FLORIDA ORCHESTRA
727-892-3337
GULFPORT PLAYERS
727-322-0316
GYPSY PRODUCTIONS
727-644-7077
JANNUS LANDING COURTYARD
727-895-3045
MAHAFFEY THEATER
727-898-2100
SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM
727-823-3767
ST. PETERSBURG MUSEUM OF FINE ART
727-896-2667
ST. PETERSBURG OPERA
727-822-3590
STATE THEATRE
727-895-3045
STUDIO AT 620
727-895-6620
Lesley Dill’s I Heard a Voice
St. Petersburg Museum of Arts, Oct. 10-Dec. 27
Lesley Dill’s art covers entire walls and is inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poetry.
Clearwater
RUTH ECKERD HALL
727-791-7400
Dave Koz Smooth Jazz Christmas
Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater: Dec. 3
The respected (and handsome) saxophonist—a staple on jazz and adult contemporary radios—is out now, and his music has just gotten better. His concert should be a highlight of the holiday season.
Tampa
CARROLLWOOD PLAYERS THEATRE
813-265-4000
FORD AMPHITHEATRE
813-740-2446
GORILLA THEATRE
813-879-2914
ST. PETE TIMES FORUM
813-301-2500
STAGEWORKS THEATER
813-251-8984
TAMPA BAY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
813-229-7827
TAMPA MUSEUM OF FINE ART
813-274-8130
Exhibits will be announced in early 2010 at the museum’s new location in downtown Tampa.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
813-974-2011
Depeche Mode
Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa: Sept. 4
Gay faves Depeche Mode
bring their 80s and 90s anthems to one of Tampa Bay’s best concert venues.
Sugarland
St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa: Sept. 25
The catchy, upbeat tunes of Sugarland have crossed from country to pop charts, making for a party atmosphere at the rowdy St.
Robin Williams
USF Sundome, Tampa: Oct. 20
The legendary comedian was set to perform at USF last year when he was forced into emergency heart surgery. But based on recent talk-show appearances, he is as outrageous and funny as ever.
Lakeland/ Winter Haven
THE LAKELAND CENTER
863-834-8100
POLK MUSEUM OF ART
863-688-7743
THEATRE WINTER HAVEN
863-294-7469
Lily Tomlin
Lakeland Center, Lakeland: Jan. 14-Jan. 15
She created Edith Ann, Ernestine and a cast of memorable characters. The legendary out comedienne also creates a memorable concert experience.
Winter Park
ALBIN POLASEK MUSEUM & SCULPTURE GARDENS
407-647-6294
ANNIE RUSSELL THEATRE
407-646-2145
BREAKTHROUGH THEATRE
407-920-4034
CORNELL FINE ARTS MUSEUM
407-646-2526
GREATER ORLANDO ACTORS THEATRE
407-872-8451
MORSE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
407-645-5311
WINTER PARK PLAYHOUSE
407-645-0145
Maidens and Monsters: The Art of Science Fiction, Adventure and Fantasy
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculptural Gardens, Winter Park: Nov. 14-Apr. 18, 2010
Art and illustration from 1914 through 1995 will feed a major yen for us SF/Adventure geeks. The collection will include famous illustrators N.C. Wyeth and Frank Frazetta.
Orlando (and nearby areas)
AMWAY ARENA
407-849-2020
BOB CARR PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
407-849-2020
FOOTLIGHT THEATER AT THE PARLIAMENT HOUSE
407-454-8478
GALLERY Q AT THE CENTER
407-228-8272
THE GARDEN THEATRE [ winter garden ]
407-877-4736
HARD ROCK LIVE
407-351-LIVE
HELEN STAIRS THEATRE [ Sanford ]
407-321-8111
HOUSE OF BLUES AT DOWNTOWN DISNEY
407-934-BLUE
THE ICEHOUSE THEATRE [ Mount dora ]
352-383-4616
MAD COW THEATRE COMPANY
407-297-8788
MAITLAND ART CENTER [ maitland ]
407-539-2181
MENNELLO MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FOLK ART
407-246-4278
ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL HISTORY CENTER
407-836-8500
ORLANDO BALLET
407-426-1739
THE ORLANDO CHORALE
407-786-8624
ORLANDO GAY CHORUS
407-841-SING
ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART
407-896-4231
ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
407-896-6700
ORLANDO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
407-447-1700
OSCEOLA CENTER FOR THE ARTS [ kissimmee ]
407-846-4643
SLEUTHS “IT’S NO MYSTERY” SERIES
407.363.1985
THEATRE DOWNTOWN
407-841-0083
UCF ARENA
407-823-6006
UCF CONSERVATORY THEATRE
407-823-1500
There’s No Place like Home
Footlight Theatre at the Parliament House, Orlando: Sept. 12-Oct. 3
A new work by resident Orlando wingnut Wanzie? Count us in! The playwright promises us drama and comedy loosely based on the famous title phrase.
Daytona Beach/Space Coast
KING CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS [ Melbourne ]
321-242-2219
PEABODY AUDITORIUM [ daytona beach ]
386-671-3461
Bjorn Again: The ABBA Tribute
The Peabody Auditorium, Daytona Beach: Nov. 20
Mamma Mia! fans delight; this musical group pays homage to Sweden’s second biggest cultural export (IKEA being the first). Dig out your bedazzled leisure suits and dance!
