Weekend arts forecast: Jazz on (near) the beach
The Suncoast Jazz Festival, which happens for the 33rd year this weekend, couldn’t be more different from the annual Jazz Holiday – Clearwater’s other multi-day jazz concert event.
While the Clearwater Jazz Holiday is an outdoor series, traditionally at Coachman Park (now the site of the Sound amphitheater), the Suncoast Jazz Festival happens on interior stages at two Sand Key resort hotels, the Sheraton Sand Key Resort and Marriott Suites.
Suncoast, unlike the Jazz Holiday, isn’t really big on “name” headliners (although in recent years, few of the Jazz Holiday “names” have been actual jazz artists).
Many of the bay area’s most prominent jazz performers will play over the three days (Friday through Sunday), including John Lamb, Synia Carroll, Nate Najar, Daniela Soledade, La Lucha (with Ona K, and without), the Al Downing All-Stars, Jeremy Carter, Valerie Gillespie, Theo Valentin and more.
From the South Carolina Lowcountry comes the band Ranky Tanky, which specializes in jazzified interpretations of Gullah music, a deep tradition in that part of the country. Ranky Tanky has two Grammys, both for Best Regional Roots Music Album.
Vibraphonist Jason Marsalis will put in several appearances over the weekend. Young Jason, you might have guessed, is part of New Orleans’ legendary Marsalis family of musicians.
Others to watch (and listen) for: Trumpeter and singer Kermit Ruffins and his Barbecue Swingers, guitarist Diego Figueiredo, stride pianist Rossano Sportiello, the Dave Bennett Quartet and New York favorites Professor Cunningham and His Old School.
Find the schedule, tickets and everything else at this link.
‘Cause I’m the saxman (jazz Pt. 2)
Saxophonist Andy Snitzer, who’s been out blowing on numerous big rock ‘n’ roll tours (including two playing with the Rolling Stones, and several as a member of Paul Simon’s fulltime touring band) will play Saturday at the Palladium Theater Side Door. He’ll join Tampa sax player Kyle Schroeder, for whom he serves as mentor, friend – and influence. Tickets here.
The visual arts
Opening Saturday at the Dali Museum is Dalí & the Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Degas & More. It’s a collection of breathtaking original art, most of it on loan from the Museum of Fine Art, Boston. Read all about it at this link.
The weekend also brings the 26th annual Florida CraftArt Festival, featuring original works in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media and wood; it happens Saturday and Sunday at the Florida CraftArt gallery downtown. Info is here.
Friday’s guest on our Arts Alive! podcast is Pinellas Park mural artist Derek Donnelly.
Where’s the orchestra?
The Florida Orchestra tackles Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 this weekend; on the same program will be Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (with pianist George Li) and Wagner’s Flying Dutchman Overture. Vladimir Kulenovic conducts at 8 p.m. Friday in Ferguson Hall, Straz Center; 8 p.m. Saturday, Mahaffey Theater; Sunday, 7:30 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall. Tickets and info here.
And more concerts
Punk icon Henry Rollins speaks Friday at the Palladium Theater. Publicity photo.
In case you’re wondering, there are no Rise Up St. Pete concerts scheduled at The Pier this weekend.
Tonight (Thursday, Nov. 16)
The great bluegrass band Dailey & Vincent returns to the Palladium. Tickets are here; at this link you’ll find a Catalyst interview with Darrin Vincent from a few years back.
Christmastime once again with Mannheim Steamroller, at The Sound. Tickets.
From Mexico, Mariachi Sol De Mexico De Jóse Hernàndez at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets.
Friday, Nov. 17
Spoken word artist and punk icon Henry Rollins at the Palladium. Tickets.
Comedian Hannah Berner at Tampa Theatre. Sold out.
Comedian Jo Koy visits Amalie Arena. Tickets.
Saturday, Nov. 18
Blues guitarist Popa Chubby at the Safety Harbor Art & Music Center. Tickets.
Country music legend Dwight Yoakam at The Sound. Tickets.
Singer/songwriter Bruce Hornsby at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets.
Singer/songwriter Ben Rector at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Tickets.
Sunday, Nov. 19
Comedian Anthony Jeselnik at the Seminole Hard Rock Event Center. Tickets.
From Puerto Rico, salsa vocalist and bandleader Gilberto Santa Rosa in Morsani Hall, Straz Center. Tickets.
“No Exit” closes this weekend at the Off-Central in St. Petersburg. Photo: Stage Photography of Tampa.
On theater stages
The gang from the weird-but-oddly-compelling Welcome to Night Vale podcast returns to Tampa Theatre tonight (8 p.m.) with an all-new show called “The Attic.” Tickets.
There are two more performances (one Saturday, one Sunday) remaining of the St. Petersburg Opera Company’s family production Pinocchio. Find details and tickets here.
The Choir of Man – the jolly U.K. “pub musical” – remains in residence at the Jaeb Theatre, inside the Straz Center. Tickets.
It’s the final weekend for Jared Eberlein’s drama The Heirs of Pretending at Ybor City’s LAB Theater Project. Read all about it (and find tickets) at this link.
Also drawing to a close with Sunday’s matinee is the Off-Central’s extraordinary production of Sartre’s No Exit. Read all about it (and find tickets) at this link.
The monthlong run of the experimental play White Rabbit Red Rabbit concludes this weekend with readings by five more performers, at three venues. Read all about it (and find tickets) at this link.
The Weekend Arts Forecast appears every Thursday in the Catalyst.
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