Tampa Bay Arts
The Tampa Bay, Florida area is rich in arts and culture, from performing arts and visual arts to history and festivals. Tampa Bay is located north of Sarasota along Florida’s beautiful coast line.
American Stage is a professional theatre company located in St. Petersburg. 2007 offerings include Tennessee Williams’ "Suddenly Last Summer," Shakespeare’s "Othello," the popular musical "Little Shop of Horrors," the world premier of "Casa Blue: The Last Moments in the Life of Frida Kahlo," "9 Parts of Desire" by Heather Raffo, and David Auburn’s "Proof." More information about American Stage, including show times, ticket prices, and all events, is available at the company’s website, http://americanstage.org, or by calling (727) 823-1600.
The Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg presents a wide variety of performances; the 2007 schedule will include shows by the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, The Cleveland Orchestra, the Trisha Brown Dance Company, the Tampa Bay Symphony, and more, as well as a production of "Madama Butterfly," a joint effort by the Sarasota Opera and the Florida Orchestra. More information about Mahaffey Theater shows, including performance times and ticket prices, is available online at http://www.mahaffeytheater.com or by calling (727) 892-5767. The theater is located at the Bayfront Center, a destination that, aside from the 2,000-seat Mahaffey Theater, houses an 8,000-seat arena for larger events and a covered portico overlooking the Center’s fountain and the Tampa Bay shoreline beyond.
The Catherine Hickman Theater, located in Gulfport, hosts various concerts, theater productions, recitals, festivals, and seminars that appeal to all ages. The state-of-the-art theater has 173 seats and advanced acoustics, as well as concession services. In addition, the theater is available for private events, and includes dining room and kitchen facilities. More information about the Catherine Hickman Theater is available by visiting the Gulfport website at http://www.ci.gulfport.fl.us/City_Departments/Leisure_Services/Theater/Hickman_Theater.htm or by calling calling (727) 893-1070.
The City of Oldsmar is a small city with an authentic, historical feel. Oldsmar’s library, dating back to 1919, is the home base for City of Oldsmar Cultural Affairs. The Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for coordinating the city’s arts, community, and cultural events and programs, including the Oldsmar Performing Arts League and the Oldsmar Artist League. More information about the Oldsmar Department of Cultural Affairs and the events it promotes is available by calling (727) 855-5940, or online at http://www.pinellasarts.org/cultural_directory.htm.
St. Petersburg’s Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center is a non-profit organization with a goal of making an experience with the arts available to all people, young and old, of all socioeconomic backgrounds, races, genders, and abilities. Among Creative Clay’s diverse offerings, 2007 is scheduled to include a Folk Fest, with folk art, outsider art, and intuit art available for viewing and purchase by 60 of the nation’s most talented folk artists, and a Music Festival with various music and performances. Both events, as well as many others offered by Creative Clay, are free and open to the public. More information about the Center is available at Creative Clay’s website, http://creativeclay.org, or by calling (727) 825-0515.
The Early Bird Dinner Theater is located in Clearwater at Bill Irle’s Banquet Hall. The Early Bird offers a great value, with $14.95 including an all-you-can-eat buffet and a show. The current popular production is "Key for Two," a comedic British farce. Reservations and more information are available by contacting the Early Bird Dinner Theater at (727) 446-5898.
The Florida Orchestra, based in Tampa, is the Tampa Bay area’s top regional orchestra. The Florida Orchestra performs over 150 concerts annually. The Orchestra’s various performances cover diverse offerings. The Masterworks series includes Brahm’s Symphony No. 2 and Debussy’s "La Mer;" the SuperPops series features Roger Williams and Marvin Hamlisch; a series of special concerts will this year include presentations of "Phantom of the Opera" and "Madama Butterfly." The Florida Orchestra also offers chamber music concerts, coffee concerts, and free park concerts. More information about the Florida Orchestra, including performance times, dates, locations, and ticket prices, is available online at http://www.floridaorchestra.org, or by calling the Orchestra box office at (813) 286-2403 or toll free at (800) 662-7286.
The Francis Wilson Playhouse in Clearwater is a traditional theater that produces 3 comedies, 3 musicals, a drama, and a mystery performance every year, offering fine entertainment options to a wide variety of audiences. The rest of 2007 will feature the drama "On Golden Pond," the comedy "The Girls in 509," and the musical "Man of La Mancha!" In addition, the Francis Wilson Playhouse sponsors a summer theatre camp for community children. More information about the Playhouse and its wide variety of offerings is available at http://www.franciswilsonplayhouse.org, or by telephone at (727) 446-1360.
The Frog Prince Puppetry Arts Center & Theatre of Tarpon Springs was a very popular cultural opportunity until its much-lamented recent closure as a theatre in light of unmanageable rising costs. The Frog Prince, however, still offers puppeteers who can be retained for private shows. More information is available by telephoning (727) 784-6392.
The Harborview Center of Clearwater is an entertainment and event venue offering accommodations for conferences, conventions, trade shows, as well as private events such as weddings and banquets. The Center has 30,000 square feet of space on its exhibition level and an additional 35,000 square feet on the conference/banquet level, with meeting rooms and ballrooms. Information about the Harborview Center, including upcoming events and programs and information about facility rental, is available at http://www.harborv.com, or by calling (727) 462-6778.
The city of Largo is home to the Largo Cultural Center, a facility that hosts numerous arts and cultural activities. Largo Cultural Center activities include an Eight O’Clock Theatre, a series of children’s productions, performances by the Suncoast Singers, and numerous other quality entertainment opportunities. The Center facilities can also be rented for private events such as weddings or meetings. More information about the Largo Cultural Center is available by calling the Center at (727) 587-6751, or online through the website of the City of Largo at http://www.largo.com/index.cfm?action=dept&drill=facility&deptName=largo_cultural.
The Octagon Arts Center, located in Clearwater, is an organization developed and managed by the Unitarian Universalist Church which offers the community an opportunity to experience a variety of visual and performing arts. The Octagon Arts Center offers an annual arts show, as well as numerous musical performances from artists ranging from the American Brass Quintet to folk musician Chuck Brodsky. More information about the Center and its entertainment offerings is available at http://www.uuclearwater.org/octagon_arts.htm or by calling (727) 531-7704.
The Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg was built in 1925, and is today a recently-remodeled state-of-the-art facility that showcases a variety of performing arts events. The theater features the Hough Concert Hall, which can accommodate 880 people and includes a full-size Skinner Pipe Organ. The 2007 schedule includes a broad spectrum of events, from concerts by the Florida Orchestra and the Tampa Bay Taps to comedy by Dave Coulier and bluegrass and jazz events. More information about the Palladium Theater, including a full schedule of events and information about ticket prices and availability, is available online at http://www.mypalladium.org, or by calling the Theater box office at (727) 822-3590.
Ruth Eckerd Hall is a popular performing arts venue located in Clearwater at the Richard B. Baumgardner Center for the Performing Arts. Ruth Eckerd Hall hosts musical performances that include music from classical to contemporary, comedy events, lectures and seminars, live theater, children’s programs, and much more in what has been nominated one of the top five concert halls in the nation. Information about the Hall and the latest schedule of performances is available at http://www.rutheckerdhall.com, or by calling the ticket office at (727) 791-7400 or toll free (800) 875-8682.
The St. Pete Beach Art Institute, located in St. Pete Beach, on the Pinellas Peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. The Art Institute is an art gallery that hosts a variety of classes for adults and children of all ages. The teaching gallery can be contacted at (727) 367-3818 for information about program offerings and registration.
The St. Pete Times Forum, in Tampa, is the home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the local National Hockey League Team. In addition to hosting Lightning games and activities, the Forum also offers a performance venue for a wide variety of popular artists, from Elton John to Christina Aguilera. More information and a schedule of events are available by telephoning (813) 301-6500, or by visiting the Forum’s online site at http://www.stpetetimesforum.com.
St. Petersburg offers the St. Petersburg Little Theatre, a community theatre that offers a number of productions throughout the year, as well as classes and activities for all ages. Current-season events include the musical "70 Girls 70" and the drama "Broadway Bound." A current schedule, as well as information about ticket purchases and educational opportunities, is available by contacting the Theatre at (727) 866-2059, or online at http://www.splt.info.
The Suncoast Children’s Theatre and TV Studio is located in Madeira Beach. The Theatre provides an opportunity for young people, ages 5 through 17, to experience theater and television production through a variety of programs focusing on acting, costuming, make-up, voice and musical development, and television production. Participants are able to ultimately stage performances for the general public and for area schools. More information about Suncoast is available by contacting the Theatre at (727) 399-8117.
The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, located in downtown Tampa, is a venue that offers 290,000 square feet of space for entertainment events. The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center features a Broadway series and opera, both renowned and respected nationwide, and presents various concerts and other performances and events throughout the year. The Arts Center includes five separate theaters, as well as banquet facilities, shops, and a restaurant. Upcoming events include "Lord of the Dance," "Swan Lake," performances the Florida Orchestra, comedian Lily Tomlin, and children’s programs including a show featuring the popular character Junie B. Jones. The full schedule and more information about the Performing Arts Center can be found online at http://www.tbpac.com, or by calling (813) 222-1001.
Also in downtown Tampa, the Tampa Theatre is a landmark theatre that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by architect John Eberson and built in 1926 as a movie house, this beautiful facility features a Mediterranean courtyard, old-world statuary, and gargoyle accents. The diverse offerings at the Tampa Theatre include performances by the Florida Orchestra, such as "Phantom of the Opera," children’s and family programs, including "Anne of Green Gables," and many more entertaining offerings. More information about the Tampa Theatre is available at http://www.tampatheatre.org. or by calling (813) 274-8982.
Tarpon Springs is home to the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center. The venue presents numerous musical and dramatic performances, including an opera series, a classical chamber music series, and arts and dance shows. More information about the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center is available online at http://www.ci.tarpon-springs.fl.us/cultural_center.htm, or by telephoning the Center at (727) 942-1915.
The Venue Theater Collective is a group that aims to promote the theater arts through a variety of performances and educational opportunities. The Collective offers Strasberg-method classes and workshops for both adults and young people. Performances by students are held throughout the year. In addition, performances are presented by local actors and playwrights through the Venue Ensemble Theatre, a professional theater company. More information about the Venue Theater Collective and its various opportunities is available by calling (727) 321-6531.
