The Florida Orchestra, located at 244 2nd Ave N in St. Petersburg, has some outstanding concerts coming up in January 2015. Check out “New Year’s from Vienna to New York” from Fri, Jan. 9 to Sun, Jan 11. Then, “Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto” from Fri, Jan. 18 to Sun, Jan. 18, followed by “Romeo and Juliet” from Fri, Jan. 23 to Sun, Jan. 25. Make sure to check out “Radiohead + Brahms Mash-Up” on Fri, Jan. 30, and then “The Florida Orchestra Gala” Featuring Yo-Yo Ma on Sat, Jan. 31. For more info, visit www.floridaorchestra.org.
The businesses of the 2400 block of Central Avenue in the Grand Central District are coming together to celebrate their one year anniversaries! The “Grandiversary Block Party” will take place on Sat, Jan. 10 from 3pm to 9pm. There will be live music at three stages and local vendors will be on hand selling goodies and other crafts, and the event will also include “Beer Central” at Community Cafe and The Cigar Loft. For vendor applications and more information, visit www.communitycafestpete.com/grandiversary.
St. Petersburg’s Second Saturday Art Walk will be held nSat, Jan. 10 from 5 to 9pm. Over 40 galleries and studios in the Waterfront Arts District, Central Arts District, EDGE District, Grand Central District and the Warehouse Arts Districts come together as one arts destination. Free parking can be found on 1st Ave N and 1stAve S from 15th St. to 30th St. and at the Florida Holocaust Museum. For more info, visitwww.stpeteartsalliance.org.
The sixth annual 30A Songwriters Festival, set for January 16, 17 & 18, in SouthWalton County, FL, has announced the initial line-up for the 2015 celebration of singers and songs. The festival features performances from esteemed artists including Graham Nash, Indigo Girls, LeonRussell, Jason Isbell, Shawn Mullins, Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Glen Phillips (Toad the WetSprocket). Also confirmed areJeffrey Steele, Chely Wright, Bobby Bare Jr., Steve Poltz,Angaleena Presley, Over the Rhine, and many more! Additional info and festival weekend passes are now available for $200 atwww.30asongwritersfestival.com.
The 18th Annual Treasure Island Sport Kite Competition and Festival returns to Florida in 2015 for your enjoyment! Taking place on Treasure Island Beach, behind the Thunderbird Beach Resort, located at 10700 Gulf Blvd. Windworks and the Eastern League are sponsoring and gathering competitors from around the U.S. to perform on Treasure Island Beach during the Martin Luther King Holiday weekend on Sat, Jan. 17 and Sun, Jan. 18. For more information on the event, visit the League’s web site,www.easternleague.netor contact Windworks at (727) 320-9463.
Pinot’s Palette in Downtown St. Petersburg is proud to announce its 1st Annual Silent Art Auction to benefit The Pediatric Cancer Foundation. On Sat, Jan. 17 from 12:30pm to 4:30pm guests can visit Pinot’s Palette, located at 1572 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, to place a bid on any of over 100 different paintings. These paintings are from our gallery and were painted by local artists in the St. Petersburg area. The event will feature free wine tastings, massages for $1/min with proceeds also going to The Pediatric Cancer Foundation, hors d’oeuvres, and live music. For more info, www.pinotspalette.com.
The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance invites the community to celebrate our city’s artistic inspiration at MUSE in the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts conservatory on Fri, Jan. 30 at 7pm. MUSE recognizes the breadth and beauty of art and culture in St. Petersburg, and honors the “Muses” who continue to inspire and guide our city to its standing as an international arts destination. Proceeds from our second annual signature event will benefit local artists, arts businesses, and arts & cultural organizations through the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance’s programs and services. For more info, please visit www.stpeteartsalliance.org.
The Women’s Fellowship of Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church invites the community to attend a Valentine’s concert, “Music for Lovers”, on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 4pm at the church, located at 107 16thAve. St. Pete Beach. Performing at the concert will be the critically acclaimed Todd William Donovan, Bass-Baritone, Georgene Williams, Soprano, and accompanist Dale Williams. Tickets are $10 and include light refreshments served after the concert. Tickets may be obtained at the church office or at the door with proceeds going to the youth scholarship fund.For more info, call 727-360-5508 or visit www.pagchurch.org.
Keep Saint Petersburg Local (KSPL) will commemorate its 3-Year Anniversary with the 2nd Annual LOCALTOPIA, “A Community Celebration of All Things Local” on Saturday, February 7 from 10am to 5pm in Williams Park, located at 330 2nd Ave. North in St. Petersburg. It’s been a banner year for the Independent Business Alliance that’s working to build a thriving local economy and a unique community.This event will feature over 100 vendors, a local craft beer garden, a “Local Food Court”, live music and entertainment, as well as various “villages”. For more info, please visit www.keepsaintpetersburglocal.org.
The legendary Diana Ross returns to The Mahaffey Theater Wed, Feb. 18 on her In the Name of Love tour. The 7:30 p.m. show is part of The Mahaffey’s exciting 50th Anniversary season. Diana Ross’ famed and remarkable career spanning almost five decades has resulted in major awards and accolades, and music history milestones. Ross is a consummate performer, as well as one of the most iconic female singers of all time, and one of the most prominent women in the popular music history and pop culture of the late 20th century. Tickets may be purchased online at www.TheMahaffey.com, phone at 727-893-7832, or in person at The Mahaffey Theater Box Office.
The 2015 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival will take place from Wed, February 25 through Sun, March 1. The festival’s headliner is singer Kevin Mahogany with the Helios Jazz Orchestra. Others in the line up include JamesVarnado Funk Band on February 25, Shawn Brown Trio on February 26, The Claudia Quintet on February 27, Kevin Mahogany & Helios Jazz Orchestra on February 28, and the Post-Festival Jazz Jam on March 1. For times, prices, & additional info, visit www.stpetejazz fest.com.
Florida CraftArt announces a call to artists for an open, juried exhibition, which will be held Friday, March 6 through Saturday, April 18 in the Florida CraftArt Exhibition Gallery located at 501 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. This call is open to all Florida artists who work in craft mediums (glass, clay, jewelry, paper, wood, metal, fiber, mixed media). Non-craft mediums like painting and photography are not eligible. Deadline for entry is Sat, Jan. 31 by midnight. For more info, call 727-821-7391, or visitwww.floridacraftart.org/exhibitions.
The Inaugural “St. Petersburg Glass Weekend” invitational is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 through Sunday, March 15, andwill include a series of exclusive lectures, glass blowing demonstrations by visiting guest artists, artists’ receptions and guided tours of public and private collections. Co-sponsored by the Chihuly Collection, the Duncan McClellan Gallery and the Morean Arts Center of St. Petersburg, this event packed weekend is designed to give participants an intimate, in depth experience of the city’s vibrant glass art scene. For a full schedule, further information and to register, please call 727-896-4527 x5102, or visit www.moreanartscenter.org.
The Gulfport Casino Ballroom has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced that several Florida properties, including the Gulfport Casino, have been recently listed in the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places. The 10,000 square foot Gulfport Casino Ballroom overlooking the Boca Ciega Bay provides a venue for a variety of activities ranging from dances, concerts, fundraisers, corporate events, seminars, trade shows, private parties, wedding receptions and community events. For more info, call 727-893-1070, or visit http://mygulfport.us/recreation/casino.
2014 has been a terrific year for Florida CraftArt, located at 501 Central Ave. With help from the community, they just completed a magnificent renovation of their St. Petersburg headquarters. Please help them keep the momentum going… 2015 is going to be another great year!They have invested in the gallery and are now ready for the next phase of the renewal. Your donation, no matter what size, will ensure the integrity of the building while allowing CraftArt to focus on their most important asset….the fine craft artists of Florida. For more info, please call 727-821-7391.
The Florida Craftsman Gallery has been renewed, refreshed and reopened as Florida CraftArt. They just completed a magnificent renovation of our St. Petersburg headquarters. They are looking to keep the momentum going for the next phase of the renewal. Six terrific exhibitions with expanded programming, showcasing the best in fine craft, are planned for 2015. (Mindy Solomon is curating a Voodoo-themed exhibition!)
– The elevator was installed in 1941 and “modernized” in 1969. We have a great opportunity to finally replace the elevator with a matching grant from the State Division of Cultural Affairs.
– In partnership with USF, we are launching a major project to identify the best fine craft artists of Florida. Help bring great art from all 67 Florida counties to Florida CraftArt.
Last year, your support initiated an amazing transformation. This year’s goal is to raise $60,000. Thanks for your continuing support.