Opening Nights Performing Arts 2015-2016 Season Brochure by Opening Nights

Sponsored by

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

“Flatt and Scruggs would be proud.” – Country Weekly

$35 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

The Barefoot Movement Tuesday 10/13 | The Carriage House at Goodwood Museum | 7:30 p.m.

eartfelt, energetic, and down home. Heralded by CMT Edge as “one of the most promising bands on the bluegrass scene,” the music of the Nashville-based group The Barefoot Movement is as down to earth as their intention for members of their audience: sit back, relax, take your shoes off, and stay a while. All the worries and frustrations of the world melt away as the charming four-piece acoustic band takes listeners back to a simpler place and time. Whether you’re seeking emotional ballads or rip-roaring barn-burners, you can expect a collection of music that offers something for everyone. With two full length albums, several cross-country tours, and appearances at some of the top bluegrass festivals in the United States already under their belt, the possibilities are endless.

Sponsored by

openingnights.fsu.edu 7

$60 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Edgar Meyer & Christian McBride Saturday 10/24 | Opperman Music Hall | 7:30 p.m.

assist extraordinaire Christian McBride is one of the most omnipresent figures in the jazz world. He’s appeared in numerous musical settings throughout his career and has played with the likes of Milt Jackson, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Sting, and James Brown. Among his long list of honors, McBride is the 2014 Jazz Journalists Association’s Marian McPartland-Willis Conover Award winner for Broadcasting due to his work as the founding host of Jazz Night In America. In demand as both a performer and a composer, Edgar Meyer has formed an unparalleled role in the music realm. Meyer’s technique and musicianship, plus his gift for composition, have won him appreciation by a vast audience, and his collaborations include works with artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Béla Fleck, and Zakir Hussain. Meyer is a MacArthur Fellow and won the Avery Fisher Prize in 2000.

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

“Mitchell is a skilled storyteller... and her delivery gives an emotional complexity that welcomes and even demands repeated listens.” – Pitchfork

$35 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Anaïs Mitchell Tuesday 10/27 | The Carriage House at Goodwood Museum | 7:30 p.m.

naïs Mitchell is first and foremost a storyteller. As a Vermont-based singersongwriter, Mitchell recorded for Ani Difranco’s Righteous Babe Records for several years before starting her own Wilderland label in 2012. Among her recorded works are five full-length albums, including 2010’s sensationally reviewed Hadestown and 2012’s Young Man in America, which was described by the UK’s Independent as an epic tale of American becoming and for which she received a BBC Radio Two Folk Award nomination for Best Original Song. Mitchell has headlined worldwide as well as supported tours for Bon Iver, Ani Difranco, The Low Anthem (all of whom appear as guest singers on Hadestown), Richard Thompson, Josh Ritter and Punch Brothers. Her most recent release, Child Ballads, a collaboration with Jefferson Hamer, is a collection of traditional Celtic and British Isles ballads and is nominated for two BBC Radio Two Folk Awards including Best Album.

Sponsored by

openingnights.fsu.edu 9

“A talent not to be missed...her ease and facility with the upright bass is nearly as surprising, though not quite as exceptional, as her voice.” – Herald Tribune

$40 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Kate Davis Tuesday 11/10 | Opperman Music Hall | 7:30 p.m.

he music of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Kate Davis has been turning heads in New York’s music scene since 2012. Whether she’s crooning ballads or plucking riffs from her bass, Kate puts a fresh spin on the standards and brings a canonical sensibility to her own lush tracks. Lauded by MTV as one of “15 Fresh Females Who Will Rule Pop,” Kate has performed at illustrious venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall and has shared stages with diverse artists like Alison Krauss, Josh Groban, Michael Feinstein, Ben Folds, Joshua Bell, Wynton Marsalis, and Renee Fleming. Kate is the 2012 recipient of the Robert Allen Award from the ASCAP Foundation, and her upcoming projects include an appearance in the Disney film The Finest Hours, the Kennedy Center’s American Voices PBS special, and her first label album release.

Sponsored by

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

J.S. Bach Sonatas and Pantitas

$65 | $50 | $35 | $15

“The outstanding American violinist of his generation.” – Time

openingnights.fsu.edu

Photo by Luke Ratray

850.644.6500

Gil Shaham Saturday 11/21 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

il Shaham is one of the foremost violinists of our time. His flawless technique combined with his inimitable warmth and generosity of spirit has solidified his renown as an American master. The Grammy Award-winner, also named Musical America’s “Instrumentalist of the Year,” is sought after throughout the world for concerto appearances with leading orchestras and conductors and regularly gives recitals and appears with ensembles on the world’s great concert stages and prestigious festivals. He has more than two dozen concerto and solo CDs to his name, earning multiple Grammys. Last season, he played concertos with such eminent ensembles as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Berlin Radio Symphony, Bavarian Radio Symphony, and Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the USA. Among his other orchestral collaborations, Shaham performed with the Vienna Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall, National Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and France’s Orchestre de Paris.

Sponsored by

openingnights.fsu.edu 11

“It's hard to find a more fruitful meditation on American music than in the compositions of guitarist Bill Frisell. Mixing rock and country with jazz and blues, he's found what connects them: improvisation and a sense of play.” – The New York Times

$55 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Bill Frisell Trio

featuring Tony Scherr & Kenny Wollesen Tuesday 11/24 | Opperman Music Hall | 7:30 p.m.

escribed as being “at the very epicenter of modern American Music” (BBC), Bill Frisell’s career as a guitarist and composer has spanned more than 35 years and 250 recordings, including 40 of his own. Frisell’s recording catalog has been cited by Downbeat as “the best recorded output of the decade,” including his recent albums for Savoy - Sign of Life with the 858 Quartet, Beautiful Dreamers with his trio, and All We Are Saying, a new collection of John Lennon interpretations. Always on the lookout for opportunities to “dig around for where I’m coming from,” Frisell’s next project will be an homage to the instrumental popular music made “right at the birth of the Fender Telecaster guitar.” Frisell will be joined by his trio partners – Tony Scherr on bass and Kenny Wollesen on drums.

Sponsored by

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

$65 | $50 | $35 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

“...Trombone Shorty is one of the best entertainers out there, period. He’s an incredible horn player.” – Zac Brown, Billboard (July 2012)

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Tuesday 1/12 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

ew Orleans native Troy Andrews, known by the stage name Trombone Shorty, is the bandleader and frontman of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, a hard-edged funk band that employs hip-hop beats, rock dynamics and improvisation in a jazz tradition. Together, Trombone Shorty and his band have toured the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, Russia, and Brazil. In the past few years alone, Andrews has appeared on recordings by artists ranging from Zac Brown to Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart to Cee Lo Green. He’s also been featured on the covers of Downbeat and Jazziz magazines, as well as on Conan, The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Austin City Limits, and Andrews appeared in a recurring role on the hit HBO series Treme. In 2012, Andrews received the President’s Medal from Tulane University in recognition of his charitable work with the Trombone Shorty Foundation which donates quality instruments to schools across New Orleans.

openingnights.fsu.edu 13

“The virtuosic queen of the post-minimalist cello.” – San Francisco Chronicle

$100 Pebble Hill $35 Goodwood openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Maya Beiser Sunday 1/24 | Pebble Hill Plantation | 2:00 p.m. Monday 1/25 | The Carriage House at Goodwood Museum | 7:30 p.m.

aya Beiser defies categories; passionately forging a career path through uncharted territories, she has captivated audiences worldwide with her virtuosity, eclectic repertoire, and relentless quest to redefine her instrument’s boundaries. While studying classical cello repertoire, Maya dedicated her work to reinventing solo cello performance in the classical arena. She’s been a featured performer on the world’s most prestigious stages - including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and more - and she’s collaborated with a wide range of artists across many disciplines. Maya was raised in the Galilee Mountains in Israel and is a graduate of Yale University, and she’s a founding member of the Bang on a Can All-Stars. Her vast discography includes eight solo albums and many studio recordings and film collaborations. Her latest project, All Vows, premiered at the Yerba Buena Center in 2014.

Sponsored by

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

“One of the greatest artists of our time.” – The Washington Times Photo by Briana Blasko

Map (2005) &

$55 | $40 | $30 | $15

0-12, Solo from Collected Measures (2015)

openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Shen Wei Dance Arts Tuesday 1/26 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

ailed as “one of the great artists of our time” by The Washington Times, choreographer, director, dancer, painter, and designer Shen Wei is internationally renowned for the breadth and scope of his artistic vision. He founded Shen Wei Dance Arts at the American Dance Festival in 2000, and his Company rapidly advanced to the forefront of the dance world - winning worldwide acclaim for “amassing a body of works so strikingly original they defy categorization” (The Boston Globe). Since its creation, Shen Wei Dance Arts has performed in 138 cities as well as 30 countries and has appeared at prestigious festivals and venues worldwide. Widely recognized for his role as the lead choreographer for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Shen Wei crafts work for his Company that draws on influences as varied as traditional Chinese culture and arts, European Surrealism, American high modernism, and the ritual power of ancient drama.

openingnights.fsu.edu 15

$55 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

“There’s no question that Ziegler takes the tango to levels of sophistication and refinement probably undreamed of by Piazzolla.” – Chicago Tribune

“She is the closest equivalent to Janis Joplin on the current classical concert scene.” – The Los Angeles Times

Pablo Ziegler & Lara St. John Astor Piazzolla’s Central Park Concert Friday 1/29 | Opperman Music Hall | 7:30 p.m.

ollowing the wild success of a 2012 concert that drew the largest crowd to Central Park’s Naumburg Orchestral Concerts in the series’ 107 years, acclaimed violinist Lara St. John and Pablo Ziegler, the Argentine pianist and composer who helped shape the modern tango, are now offering that concert as a special touring program that celebrates tango grand-maestro Astor Piazzolla’s famous Central Park Concert. The program includes some of the late Argentine composer’s most beloved works, as well as exquisite compositions by Ziegler. Canadian-born violinist Lara St. John has been described as “something of a phenomenon” by The Strad and a “high-powered soloist” by the New York Times. Lara began playing the violin when she was two years old, making her first appearance as soloist with orchestra at age four. She has performed as soloist with the orchestras of Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and the Boston Pops, among many others.

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

“Hilarious!” – The New York Times Photo by James Shubinski

$45 | $30 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Broadway’s Next H!T Musical Tuesday 2/2 & Wednesday 2/3 | Fred Turner Auditorium | 8:00 p.m.

very song is fresh. Every scene is new. Every night is different. It’s all improvised, and it’s all funny. The New York Times calls Broadway’s Next H!T Musical “Hilarious!” Time Out NY says, “At last! A musical of, for, and by the people.” The hysterical Broadway’s Next H!T Musical is the only unscripted theatrical awards show. Master improvisers gather made up, hit song suggestions from the audience and create a spontaneous evening of music, humor, and laughter. The audience votes for their favorite song and watches as the cast turns it into a full blown improvised musical - complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and plot twists galore. TheaterWeek hailed the show as “brilliant” and The New York Post called Broadway’s Next H!T Musical “remarkable.” Don’t miss the next great American musical - it could be written here in Tallahassee!

Sponsored by

openingnights.fsu.edu 17

“The funniest comic in America, bar none.” – Lewis Black Photo by Natalie Brasington

$50 | $35 | $25 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Kathleen Madigan Thursday 2/4 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

athleen Madigan is one of the most respected comedians of her generation. Over her 25 year career, Madigan has performed on nearly every standup television show: Leno, Letterman, Conan, Ferguson, and most recently The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, and she filmed her fifth appearance on Ron White’s Salute to the Troops for on CMT. Madigan was nominated for a 2014 American Comedy Award for Best Concert Comic, and her third hour-long special, Madigan Again, which iTunes named one of the Best Comedy Albums of 2013, premiered exclusively on Netflix to rave reviews and is available for download. CD, and DVD format. Madigan has released 5 CDs, 3 DVDs, and has starred in 1 Netflix special, 1 Showtime special, 2 HBO specials, and 3 Comedy Central specials.

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

Anders Osborne Marc Broussard JJ Grey Luther Dickinson

Photo by Brett Winter Lemon

“Sheer dynamite.” – examiner.com

$55 | $45 | $35 | $15

Photo by Jensen Hande

openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Southern Soul Assembly Friday 2/5 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

n artist-in-the-round performance series featuring JJ Grey, Marc Broussard, Anders Osborne, and Luther Dickinson, Southern Soul Assembly debuted last spring to rave reviews. Hailed as a “perfect night” (Blogcritics) filled with “a mutual appreciation from the fans and artists alike” (Southern Manners), the show takes audiences on a musical and storytelling journey complete with “soaring moments, heartfelt laughs and lots of toe tapping” (Twangville). The result: “sheer dynamite” (Examiner.com). Grey, Broussard, Osborne and Dickinson, all highly seasoned artists and band leaders, have no doubt demonstrated a natural ability to contribute to each other’s music through harmonies and guitar. Southern Soul Assembly draws from the rich legacy of American Southern culture of each of the players. “Just like food in the South, our music is greasier than most,” says Marc Broussard, “the beat is on the backside, generally, because it gets too hot for people to move too quickly.”

Sponsored by

openingnights.fsu.edu 19

$65 | $55 | $45

Photo by Stephan Lupino

openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

2CELLOS Saturday 2/6 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

oung Croatian cellists Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, together known as 2CELLOS, have achieved sensational success by taking the cello to a new level. Their playing style has broken down the boundaries between different genres of music, from classical and film music to pop and rock. 2CELLOS have no limits when it comes to performing live and are equally as impressive when playing Bach and Vivaldi as they are when rocking out AC/DC. 2CELLOS rose to fame in 2011 when their version of Michael Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Smooth Criminal took the world by storm. The YouTube video became a massive viral sensation leading to a record deal with Sony Masterworks and an invitation to join Sir Elton John on his worldwide tour. The duo have also appeared on major TV shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Bachelor, and many others.

Sponsored by

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

$85 | $75 | $65 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Patti LaBelle Monday 2/8 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

eautiful simply does not describe the incomparable force known to the world as Patti LaBelle. As time continues to evolve, the soulful songbird’s name has become synonymous with grace, style, elegance, and class. Belting out classic rhythm & blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets have created the unique platform of versatility for which Ms. Patti is known and revered. “Each year I grow, and that’s a blessing from God. I do what I can do. I do what I feel God has given me the energy to do, so I just go out there and I do it...It’s not about making money because I don’t need money, but I need to sing. With a voice or without, I’ve got to get on that stage.” And the world is thankful that Ms. Patti’s voice sounds so good to our ears.

openingnights.fsu.edu 21

$50 | $35 | $25 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Photo by David Katzenstein

“As a pianist, [Billy Childs] possesses the improvisatory skills and powerful sense of swing one associates with world-class artists.” – The Los Angeles Times

Billy Childs

Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro featuring Becca Stevens & Alicia Olatuja Tuesday 2/9 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

hen jazz pianist and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient Billy Childs was 11 years old, his older sister introduced him to the work of singer-songwriter, Laura Nyro (1947-1997). Her blend of Broadway inspired melodies, jazz improvisation and socially conscious lyrics stayed with him, and in 2014 Childs released his two Grammy Award-winning tribute, Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro. Joined by an extended ensemble including saxophone, harp, guitar and string quartet and vocalists Becca Stevens and Alicia Olatuja, Childs brings us an evening of Nyro’s songs made famous by other artists including Barbra Streisand, The 5th Dimension, Patti LaBelle, and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Sponsored by

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

$70 | $55 | $40 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu

“...as good as popping Meet the Beatles on my turntable for the first time!” – Charles Alexander, Long Time Senior Editor for Time

850.644.6500

The Midtown Men 4 stars from the original cast of jersey boys Wednesday 2/10 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

he high-octane musical tour de force that took the Jersey Boys phenomenon to Broadway and beyond brings to life the greatest hits of the Sixties. Tour highlights for these Four Broadway vets and their powerhouse seven piece band recently included a triumphant return to their “Jersey” roots with a live concert special filmed at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in partnership with PBS. Following the development of Jersey Boys and historic three season run on Broadway, THE MIDTOWN MEN are lifting audiences to their feet in venues across the continent, realizing the dream they brought to life as the iconic Four Seasons and winning over audiences of all ages in nearly 2,000 live shows. THE MIDTOWN MEN is the next chapter for these accomplished entertainers, making them the first vocal group ever formed by the principal cast of a high-profile Broadway show. Not a performance of, not affiliated with the show Jersey Boys.

Sponsored by

openingnights.fsu.edu 23

“Sensational!” – The New York Times

$50 | $35 | $25 | $15

Photo by Myron Martin

openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Storm Large Thursday 2/11 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

torm Large: musician, actor, playwright, author, awesome. She shot to national prominence in 2006 as a finalist on the CBS show Rock Star: Supernova, where she built a fan base that follows her around the world to this day. Storm debuted with the Oregon Symphony in 2010, and has returned for sold out performances each year thereafter. Storm made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2013 with the Detroit Symphony, with The New York Times calling her “sensational.” Storm made her debut as guest vocalist with the band Pink Martini in April 2011, singing four sold-out concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. She continues to perform with the band, touring nationally and internationally. Storm has also sung with Grammy winner k.d. lang, pianist Kirill Gerstein, punk rocker John Doe, singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer George Clinton. Please be advised that this performance may contain some adult content. Event attendance by children under 16 is not recommended.

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

“She has no limitations as a musician.” – Matt Glaser, Head of Berklee College of Music’s American Roots Music Program

$55 | $40 | $25 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Sierra Hull

& the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience Friday 2/12 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

ierra has remarkable range as an instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. She was given her first mandolin at age 8. By age 11, Alison Krauss offered an invitation to the Opry stage, and Sierra signed with Rounder Records at 13 and subsequently released her first album at 16. In addition to being a world traveler and playing at venues like the White House, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center, Sierra’s also a celebrated student. She won the Presidential Scholarship from Berklee College of Music, a first for a bluegrass musician, and has gone on to wow her peers, faculty, and the world. As a mandolinist, composer, bandleader, and producer David Grisman has been a guiding force in the evolving world of acoustic music for nearly half a century. His musical range is wide and deep — embracing many styles, genres and traditions, and he compliments Sierra’s playing impeccably.

openingnights.fsu.edu 25

$125 | $110 | $95 openingnights.fsu.edu

Photo by Larry Busacca

850.644.6500

Tony Bennett Saturday 2/13 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

o one in popular American music has recorded for so long and at such a high level of excellence than Tony Bennett. With millions of records sold worldwide and platinum and gold albums to his credit, Bennett has received eighteen Grammy Awards, including a 1995 Grammy for Record of the Year and the Grammy Lifetime Award. Tony Bennett became a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2005, was named an NEA Jazz Master in January of 2006, received a Citizen of the World award from the UN, and a Billboard Magazine Century Award in honor of his outstanding contributions to music. Tonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest endeavor is a collaborative jazz album with Lady Gaga titled Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 album charts making Bennett, at the age of 88, the oldest artist to have a #1 album.

Sponsored by

openingnights.fsu.edu 27

Alexander Tchaikovsky The Khojaly Requiem (2012); Soloists: Piano, Viola, Cello & Tar Camille Saint Saens Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 33 A Minor; Cello Soloist: Daniele Akta Intermission

$70 | $55 | $40 | $15

Sergei Rachmaninoff Symphony #2

openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra Thursday 3/3 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

he Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra was founded as the Palestine Broadcasting Service Orchestra in the late 1930s. In 1948, it became the national radio orchestra and was known as the “Kol Israel Orchestra.” In the 1970s, the orchestra was expanded into the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA). As a radio symphony orchestra, the majority of the concerts, which the orchestra holds at its resident hall – the Henry Crown Auditorium, are recorded and broadcasted over IBA’s Kol Ha’musika station. The orchestra maintains a varied repertoire that ranges from the Baroque and Classical periods through the Romantic period and extends to contemporary composers - including many who have received their Israeli premières with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.

Sponsored by

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

“Whether strumming and waving their instruments guitar style, crooning, or improvising an entire number, the musicians show a winning ingenuity and spirit of inventiveness.” – New York Post

$45 | $35 | $25 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Black Violin

featuring the Tallahassee Youth Symphony Orchestra Alexander Jiménez, Music Director & Conductor Sunday 3/6 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

lack Violin is a fantastic blend of classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass music. Named one of the hottest bands at SXSW in 2013, Black Violin has performed alongside a wide range of performers at a number of lauded venues – including Google’s Zeitgeist Minds Conference, the Billboard Music Awards, the Apollo Theater, and more. Since Black Violin’s inception, Wil Baptiste and Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester have performed in 49 states and in 36 countries, and they’ve appeared at official NFL celebrations for three Super Bowls as well as at the U.S. Open in Forest Hills with Jordin Sparks. Their groundbreaking collaboration has allowed them to play in unique settings – like performing for troops in Iraq and at both of President Obama’s Inaugural Balls, Black Violin has worked with the likes of P. Diddy, Kanye West, Tom Petty, Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin and The Eagles.

openingnights.fsu.edu 29

$50 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Selected Shorts Monday 3/21 | Richard G. Fallon Theatre | 7:30 p.m.

elected Shorts is a weekly public radio show broadcast on over 130 stations to about 300,000 listeners and is produced by Symphony Space and WNYC Radio and distributed by Public Radio International. The Selected Shorts podcast, featuring a theme and a variety of stories for every episode, consistently ranks as one of the most popular podcasts on iTunes. The Opening Nights edition of Selected Shorts will feature work by our extremely talented faculty within the Florida State University Creative Writing Program, and actors will be announced soon. Stay tuned!

Sponsored by

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

“Contagiously funny! Jeanne is hysterical and a magnificent speaker.” – The Huffington Post

$50 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Jeanne Robertson Thursday 3/24 | Richard G. Fallon Theatre | 7:30 p.m.

t 71 years young, Jeanne Robertson continues to charm audiences with her humorous observations about life around her. This former Miss North Carolina, standing tall at six-foot-two, has an infectious personality, heart, and sense of humor. With eight nationally released DVDs, three books, hundreds of hours on SiriusXM satellite radio, and almost 28 million YouTube hits, the demand for Robertson’s family-friendly and engaging brand of comedy has grown exponentially. Some of her most popular anecdotes include “Don’t Go to Vegas Without A Baptist,” “Don’t Bungee Jump Naked,” and “Don’t Send a Man to the Grocery Store.” Robertson’s witty depiction of everyday situations never fails to have audiences of all ages rolling with laughter. Don’t miss this performance by a truly funny lady!

openingnights.fsu.edu 31

Featuring FSU’s own Acabelles & All Night Yahtzee!

$50 | $35 | $25 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Semi-Toned

The University of Exeter’s A Cappella Sensation presenting GAME OF TONES Wednesday 3/30 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

omprised of 13 current students from the University of Exeter in The United Kingdom, SEMI-TONED is the reigning University Champion of Voice Festival UK, having won this honor in April 2015. With their trademark musical wit and charisma, five-star reviews, and a Bobby Award for being one of the most highly rated shows of the 2014 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, SEMI-TONED has wowed audiences both in the UK and the United States. SEMI-TONED’s performance will feature two fantastic a cappella groups from Florida State – Acabelles and All Night Yahtzee. You don’t want to miss this! “If you’re a fan of sharp, wellchoreographed, funny and energetic a cappella, then I suggest you book your tickets for this show immediately. Fast paced and seamless, this 12 piece a cappella group from Exeter not only know how to sing and dance, but also how to connect with their audience through their songs and individual personalities.” - Beth Cochrane, BroadwayBaby.

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

$50 | $35 | $25 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

Elizabeth Gilbert Tuesday 4/5 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall | 7:30 p.m.

lizabeth Gilbert’s memoir Eat, Pray, Love has been called “a generation’s instruction manual” (Toronto Sun). Exploding onto the scene in 2006, the bestseller famously chronicled the year Gilbert spent traveling the world after a shattering divorce. Translated into more than 30 languages, Eat, Pray, Love has sold over ten million copies worldwide and was made into a film starring Julia Roberts. Eat, Pray, Love — “fueled by a mix of intelligence, wit, and colloquial exuberance that is close to irresistible” (The New York Times Book Review)—catapulted its author from respected but little-recognized writer to a woman Oprah Winfrey has called a “rock star author.” Gilbert’s latest, The Signature of All Things, was named one of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times, O Magazine, NPR, and Time Magazine. O Magazine lauded it as “the novel of a lifetime.” ”If a more likable writer than Gilbert is currently in print, I haven’t found him or her...Gilbert’s prose...makes the reader only too glad to join the posse of friends and devotees who have the pleasure of listening in.” – Jennifer Egan, The New York Times.

Sponsored by

openingnights.fsu.edu 33

Campus Partnerships

2015-2016

PRISM a collaboration with the Florida State University College of Music

Sunday 2/7 | 2:00 p.m. Ruby Diamond Concert Hall

Poetry Night with Adrian Matejka Photo by Taylor Cincotta

Poetry Night with Adrian Matejka a collaboration with the Black Student Union and the Florida State University Creative Writing Program

Featuring students from Florida State’s top-ranked College of Music, PRISM offers a wide array of entertainment from Chamber Winds, Symphonic Band, jazz ensembles, the Marching Chiefs, and many more exciting groups. The Tallahassee Democrat might put it best: “The PRISM shows are built on a more-is-more philosophy... PRISM’s contrast between traditional fare and more experimental groups may be one of the reasons behind the program’s success. Its multifaceted nature makes PRISM a gem among music lovers. Because of its design, [the performance] offers a unique show depending on where an audience member sits - those in the balcony will be nearer to certain ensembles than those in other sections, and vice versa.” So come experience this unique event that lauds our students and faculty. It’s fantastic, fresh, and not to be missed!

Tuesday 9/22 | 8:00 p.m. FSU Alumni Center Ballroom | FREE Adrian Matejka was born in Nuremberg, Germany and grew up in California and Indiana. He is a graduate of Indiana University and the MFA program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His first collection of poems, The Devil’s Garden, won the 2002 New York / New England Award from Alice James Books. His second collection, Mixology, was a winner of the 2008 National Poetry Series and was published by Penguin Books in 2009. Mixology was a finalist for a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature – Poetry. His most recent book, The Big Smoke, was awarded the 2014 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award. The Big Smoke was also a finalist for the 2013 National Book Award, the 2014 Hurston/ Wright Legacy Award, and the 2014 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. He is a winner of the Julia Peterkin Award and recipient of two Illinois Arts Council Literary Awards and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Lannan Foundation. His work has appeared in American Poetry Review, The Best American Poetry 2010, Gulf Coast, Ploughshares, Poetry, and Prairie Schooner among other journals and anthologies. He teaches in the MFA program at Indiana University in Bloomington and is currently working on a new collection of poems and a graphic novel. 34

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

$35 | $15 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

PRISM

Legally Blonde a collaboration with the Florida State University School of Theatre

Friday 2/12 - Sunday 2/28 Richard G. Fallon Theatre Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe & Nell Benjamin Book by Heather Hach Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture Directed by Tom Ossowski Museum of Fine Arts

Museum of Fine Arts Opening Reception: 2/12 | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. FSU Museum of Fine Arts | FREE Museum Dates & Hours February 12 – March 27, 2016 Open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Note: Special hours during Spring Break Cuban Art in the Twentieth Century: Cultural Identity and the International Avant-Garde. Segundo Fernandez, Curator

Omigod you guys! Elle Woods (don’t forget Bruiser!) is bringing pink and LOTS of it to the Fallon Stage. In this upbeat musical, sorority girl Elle Woods takes on Harvard Law School in an attempt to win back the love of her life. There, she must use her brains and beauty to defend famous fitness instructor Brooke Wyndham, who has been accused of murder. Along the way she discovers that true love only finds us when we learn to truly love ourselves. Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the hit Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture, Legally Blonde is sure to “bend and snap” its way into all of our hearts.

$20 | $18 | $10 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

This exhibit displays a historical progression of paintings, sculpture, and mixed media from the Colonial, Republican, and Post-Revolutionary periods of Cuban art to the present time. Cuban artists, through interactions with their contemporaries and with global art centers and markets, have historically had access to avant-garde theory and practice. They were able to make individual determinations regarding not only their own culture but also individual responses to international art movements becausealthough Cuba is an island - its art world has never been insular. Builder Levy: Appalachia USA touring from The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Born in Tampa, Fla. in 1942, Builder Levy was raised in Brooklyn. He received a B.A. in art from Brooklyn College in 1964 and a master’s degree in art education from New York University in 1966. Levy’s photographs have appeared in more than 200 exhibitions - including more than 50 one-person shows – and he’s received fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, Alicia Patterson Foundation, Puffin Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts.

Legally Blonde

Each year, Opening Nights Performing Arts and the Florida State University Department of Art Education host a community mural project. See page 41 for information on this year’s community mural!

openingnights.fsu.edu 35

Denise Truscello

Joan Marcus

Erin Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Boyle Photographics

Jeff Busby

Celebrity Club 36

The Celebrity Club is an exciting after-show buffet/reception for each show, which may include the chance to meet the cast in person. Please note: The Celebrity Club is provided via separate ticketing from the Tallahassee Broadway Series.

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

$85 | $70 | $55 tuckerciviccenter.com 850.583.4871

Ticket information Tallahassee Broadway Series & Celebrity Club:

Tallahassee Broadway Series

tuckerciviccenter.com 850.583.4871

P r e s e n t e d b y Open in g Nights Per formin g Arts an d t h e D on a ld L. Tu ck er Civ ic Cen ter

Flashdance

The Illusionists

Tuesday 12/1 | 7:30 p.m. Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

Thursday 4/7 | 7:30 p.m. Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

With electrifying dance at its core, Flashdance tells the inspiring story of Alex Owens, a Pittsburgh steel mill welder by day and bar dancer by night with dreams of one day becoming a professional performer. When romance with her steel mill boss threatens to complicate her ambitions, Alex learns the meaning of love and its power to fuel the pursuit of her dream. Flashdance features a fantastic score including hit songs from the movie plus 16 brand new songs from Robbie Roth and Robert Cary.

“A High-tech Magic Extravaganza” – The New York Times. This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists–Live from Broadway™ has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

Saturday Night Fever

Once

Thursday 3/10 | 7:30 p.m. Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

Thursday 4/28 | 7:30 p.m. Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

One of the most beloved dance stories of all time, Saturday Night Fever is the coming of age tale of young Tony Manero who learns the value of life in 1970’s Brooklyn. Based on the 1977 movie starring John Travolta, Saturday Night Fever is packed with legendary hits from the Bee Gees, including “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “You Should Be Dancing,” and “How Deep is Your Love,” in addition to several new songs written especially for this production. The BBC declares Saturday Night Fever as “Hit song after hit song, bright lights and dancing to blow you away.”

Winner of eight Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL, Once is a truly original Broadway experience. Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, Once tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights. Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, Once draws you in from the very first note and never lets go.

Sponsored by

openingnights.fsu.edu 37

Shorts by Filmmaker Ian Samuels Photo by Elizabeth Kitchens

Almost There

Movement and Location

The Trials of Muhammad Ali Photo by David Fenton, Getty Images

Orion: The Man Who Would Be King

Ghost Town to Havana

$50* | $10 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

*$50 All Access Pass includes admission to all six films. Offer expires 9/17.

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

South Arts Southern Circuit Film Festival P resented by Op e n in g N ig h ts Pe r f or m in g A r ts and the Ch all e n g e r L e ar n in g C e n te r

Shorts by Filmmaker Ian Samuels

Almost There

Thursday 9/17 | 7:30 p.m.

Thursday 2/18 | 7:30 p.m.

Director: Ian Samuels

Directors: Dan Rybicky, Aaron Wickenden

Ian Samuels’ hybrid work, like these fantastic short films, has been screened internationally at festivals and venues including Sundance, SXSW, Telluride, and Slamdance. Samuels has worked for the Jim Henson Company and Sesame Street. He received his MFA from the California Institute of the Arts and his BFA from Bard College. He is a 2014 Film Independent Project Involve Fellow.

Almost There is a coming-of-(old)-age story about Peter Anton, an elderly “outsider” artist living in at-risk conditions whose world changes (and maybe not all for the better) when he’s discovered by two filmmakers. This film explores the responsibilities we have to those in need and the ethical complexities and potential conflicts inherent in every subject-filmmaker, artist-curator, helper-helpee relationship. – Kartemquin Films

Movement and Location

The Trials of Muhammad Ali

Thursday 10/15 | 7:30 p.m.

Monday 3/14 | 7:30 p.m.

Director: Alexis Boling

Director: Bill Siegel

Movement and Location follows Kim Getty, an immigrant from 400 years in the future sent back to modern-day Brooklyn to live out an easier life. She’s built a nearly satisfying new identity in this time: she has a full time job, shares an apartment with a roommate, and is falling in love. But when she finds two other people from the future, a 15 year-old girl and Kim’s own long-lost husband, Kim must fight to keep the life she once had from destroying the life she built here.

The Trials of Muhammad Ali covers Ali’s toughest bout: his battle to overturn a five-year prison sentence for refusing US military service in Vietnam. Prior to becoming the most recognizable face on earth, Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali and found himself in the crosshairs of conflicts concerning race, religion, and wartime dissent.

Orion: The Man Who Would Be King

Ghost Town to Havana

Thursday 11/5 | 7:30 p.m.

Thursday 4/14 | 7:30 p.m.

Director: Jeanie Finlay

Directors: Eugene Corr, Roberto Chile

Orion: The Man Who Would Be King tells the story of Jimmy Ellisan unknown singer plucked from obscurity and thrust into the spotlight as part of a crazy scheme that had him masquerade as Elvis back from the grave. This film revels in the manipulative schemes of the music industry, the truth and lies at the heart of the story, the allure of fantasy, and the eternal search for identity. – Glimmer Films

Ghost Town to Havana is described as a “street level story of mentorship and everyday heroism in tough circumstances.” This film follows the lives of two youth baseball teams and their coaches as one team travels from Oakland to Havana, Cuba to play baseball with the other.

The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers is a program of South Arts. This screening is supported in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. openingnights.fsu.edu 39

Engagement Opening Nights is committed to engaging the university, local, and global communities in creative experiences. Our series of campus and community engagement programs provide these experiences to the community at no cost. Each event is custom-selected to educate, illuminate, and inspire.

Creative Conversations Opening Nights’ Creative Conversations series explores a wide range of topics facing the arts community today. From moderated Q&A sessions to panel discussions, we will dive into topics relevant in the 2015-2016 season. All events are free and open to the public.*

September 17, 2015 | 9:00 PM

September 22, 2015 | 7:30 PM

Challenger Learning Center South Arts Southern Circuit Film Festival: Post-film conversation with filmmaker Ian Samuels

FSU Alumni Center Ballroom Poetry reading and conversation with Adrian Matejka

October 15, 2015 | 9:00 PM

October 20, 2015 | 6:30 PM

Challenger Learning Center South Arts Southern Circuit Film Festival: Post-film conversation with Movement and Location’s creative team

FSU Alumni Center Ballroom Panel Discussion: From Studio to Stage: The Evolution of Live Electronic Music

November 5, 2015 | 9:00 PM

November 24, 2015 | Time TBA

Challenger Learning Center South Arts Southern Circuit Film Festival: Post-film conversation with Orion: The Man Who Would Be King’s creative team

Opperman Music Hall Conversation with the Bill Frisell Trio

January 19, 2016 | 6:30 PM

January 29, 2016 | Time TBA

FSU Alumni Center Ballroom Panel Discussion: The Great American Songbook

Opperman Music Hall Conversation with Pablo Ziegler and Lara St. John

February 3, 2016 | Time TBA

February 18, 2016 | 9:00 PM

TCC Performing Arts Center, Room 104 Conversation with the cast of Broadway’s Next H!T Musical

Challenger Learning Center South Arts Southern Circuit Film Festival: Post-film conversation with Almost There’s creative team

March 14, 2016 | 9:00 PM

March 29, 2016 | 6:30 PM

Challenger Learning Center South Arts Southern Circuit Film Festival: Post-film conversation with The Trials of Muhammad Ali’s creative team

FSU Alumni Center Ballroom Panel Discussion: Breaking Boundaries: Women in the Performing Arts

April 14, 2016 | 9:00 PM Challenger Learning Center South Arts Southern Circuit Film Festival: Post-film conversation with Ghost Town to Havana’s creative team

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

All Creative Conversations are open to the public for all ages to participate and enjoy.

Master Classes Arts education is at the core of Opening Nights, providing meaningful experiences to students of all ages on and off Florida State University’s campus. Master Classes provide students the opportunity to work one-on-one with artists to grow their craft and gain experience. Reservations are required to participate in a Master Class (850.644.7670); no reservations are required to observe a Master Class.* October 24, 2015 Edgar Meyer & Christian McBride

November 21, 2015 Gil Shaham

January 25–27, 2016 Shen Wei Dance Arts

February 9, 2016 Billy Childs

March 11, 2016 globalFEST

April 5, 2016 Elizabeth Gilbert

*Please note: Dates are subject to change. Visit openingnights.fsu.edu for the most up-to-date information regarding these events.

Mural Project

Saturday Matinee of the Arts

Time & Location to be Determined FREE

Saturday 2/13 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tallahassee Museum | FREE

Opening Nights Performing Arts and the Florida State University Department of Art Education come together each year to host a community mural project. These public paintings are designed by students and come to life with the help of talented volunteers. For more information, visit openingnights.fsu.edu.

Join us for Saturday Matinee of the Arts, a rich lineup of visual and performing arts – including live music on the outdoor stage and in the museum’s historic buildings. Dance performances range from ballet to flamenco, and artists from painters to potters display their work. There are special activities just for children, and the matinee is free and open to the public. openingnights.fsu.edu 41

Pop Up Series

2015-2016

On the hunt for fantastic entertainment...that could come out of nowhere? Our Pop Up Series has you covered!

globalFEST Friday 3/11 | Capital City Amphitheater at Cascades Park

ver the past decade, globalFEST has become one of the most dynamic global music platforms in North America. What started as an annual showcase in New York has grown into an international brand, building audiences for world music with stages at SXSW, Bonnaroo, and beyond. globalFEST spotlights artists who represent diverse global styles, bringing down boundaries between countries and creating cultural opportunities for collaboration. Creole Carnival Tour honors the roots of African musical currents, crossed with a fusion of sounds from the Americas, and revolving around Carnival, the pre-Lent festival celebrated globally that’s everyone’s favorite excuse for a party. From Brazil (Casuarina) to Haiti (Emeline Michel) and Jamaica (Brushy One String), each country has its own rich traditions for music, dancing, costumes, and cutting loose. globalFEST’s international trio of artists, will explore, expand, and upend notions of Carnival with a madcap, no-holds-barred soirée.

FREE openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

For the most up-to-date information on Opening Nights’ 2015-2016 Pop Up Series events, please visit openingnights.fsu.edu or call 850.644.7670. 42

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

$35 openingnights.fsu.edu 850.644.6500

A Movie You Haven’t Seen March 2016 | Askew Student Life Cinema | Time TBD Rose’s (1999), The Red Violin (2000), Curdled (2001), Gettysburg (2002), The General (2003), 11:14 (2004), The Agronomist (2005), The Trees Have a Mother, Stories of the Amazon (2007) Gilmore 2008: The Visitor, Gilmore 2009: 500 Days of Summer, Gilmore 2010: Blue Valentine, Gilmore 2011: Win Win, Gilmore 2012: Being Flynn, Gilmore 2013: War Witch, Gilmore 2014: Palo Alto, Paul Cohen 2015: Racing Extinction

ince its inception in 1999, Opening Nights has presented an annual movie. Silent films, local creations, Oscar® Nominees, and international film circuit delights– each film has added to the collective cinema experience in Tallahassee. The selected film will be appropriate for all audiences and will include a panel discussion with industry professionals. Presented collaboratively with the FSU College of Motion Picture Arts Torchlight Program, this year’s film is sure to inspire, entertain, and educate.

Sponsored by

openingnights.fsu.edu 43

K-12 Education Since the formalization of the K-12 education program in 2011, Opening Nights has provided free arts experiences to over 5,000 K-12 students annually in Leon County. This year, we continue to provide arts experiences to students and teachers with the Kennedy Center Partners in Education Program and the North Florida School Tour.

The John F. Kennedy Center Partners In Education Opening Nights and Leon County Schools continue to collaborate to bring the John F. Kennedy Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Partners in Education program to Leon County. The partnership provides free professional development in arts integration that help teachers meet the needs of diverse learners, increase arts education in schools, and ensure student success.

Arts Integration is an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject area and meets evolving objectives in both. Throughout the 2015-2016 School Year, we will present professional development workshops led by Kennedy Center Teaching Artists which will explore strategies for integrating drama, music, visual art, creative writing, and dance into teaching all subjects. These workshops were developed in association with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and are free to all Leon County Schools teachers.

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

“(They) possess a sound and skill level far beyond their years... They have the talent to match their youthful exuberance.” - CHARGED.fm

The Barefoot Movement Monday 10/12 - Friday 10/16 | North Florida School Tour The Barefoot Movement will be presenting residencies and performances for one week at schools throughout Leon County and the surrounding areas. Heartfelt, energetic, down home, and heralded by CMT Edge as “one of the most promising bands on the bluegrass scene,” the music of the Nashville-based group The Barefoot Movement request that audience members sit back, relax, take your shoes off, and stay a while. All the worries and frustrations of the world melt away as this charming four-piece acoustic band takes listeners back to a simpler place and time. Whether you’re seeking emotional ballads or rip-roaring barnburners, you can expect a collection of music that offers something for everyone. With two full-length albums, several cross-country tours, and appearances at some of the top bluegrass festivals in the United States already under their belt, the possibilities with The Barefoot Movement are endless.

For all K-12 education information, including Partners In Education registration and North Florida School Tour bookings, contact:

openingnights.fsu.edu 45

Annual Giving

2015-2016

Become A Member!

Join the many Opening Nights members who provide support that helps us fulfill our mission to engage the university, local, and global communities in creative experiences. Members make the world-class performances we present and the educational activities we offer possible, bringing audiences together and enriching the Tallahassee area and beyond.

Member Benefits Priority ticket ordering window for annual series and added performances (tickets go on sale to the general public on 9/15)

Producer’s Circle $1,500 – $2,499

Partner

Friend

$1,000 – $1,499

$500 – $999

8/11–8/17

8/18–8/24

8/25–8/31

Associate $250 – $499

Debut $125 – $249

9/1–9/7

9/8–9/14

Concierge ticketing service, including waived ticket and handling fees (for events ticketed through the FSU Fine Arts Ticket Office) Number of parking passes for the entire 20152016 series in Concierge Lots (Brinkley or Mecca) for events at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall and Opperman Music Hall Number of parking passes for the entire series in the Preferred Lot (Diffenbaugh) for events at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall

Number of complimentary drink tickets for the entire 2015-2016 series

Invitation for two (2) to the Season Announcement Party introducing the upcoming series

Invitation to exclusive donor receptions and events

Placement on the Sponsor/Member wait list for sold-out events

Company or individual designation in series programs

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

Members will be contacted via email regarding advance ticket purchases. For Membership questions, call 850.644.7670 or email openingnights@fsu.edu. Please note: $15 tickets do not go on sale until September 15.

Online

(Preferred)

give.fsu.edu/openingnights

Phone 850.644.7670

Opening Nights Performing Arts combines inventive artists and uniquely Tallahassee venues to make memorable experiences. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Warren Jones, Opening Nights Member

Mail Print out a form online at openingnights.fsu.edu. Please note: to preserve the security of personal information, forms submitted via mail should not contain credit card information. Checks can be made out to FSU Foundation.

FSU Employees FSU faculty and staff may pay for membership monthly via FSU Payroll Deduction. Print and fill out the Payroll Deduction Authorization Form and return to Opening Nights (Mail Code: 1350).

Employer Matching matchinggifts.com/fsu Your company may be one of thousands that match employee contributions to Florida State University. If a matching gift company employs you or your spouse, the impact of your contribution to Florida State could be significantly increased by your employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s match. Find out if your employer participates in gift matching. openingnights.fsu.edu 47

Sponsorship

2015-2016

Opening Nights gratefully acknowledges its sponsors, whose generosity helps make this series possible. Community support has been a cornerstone of Opening Nights from its inception, and our sponsors have taken a personal stake in the series’ success...which has resulted in a great deal of mutual benefits! To learn more about becoming a Sponsor contact Chrys Ivey Goodwyne at chrys.goodwyne@fsu.edu. platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

$20,000 & above

$10,000 $19,999

$5,000 $9,999

$2,500 $4,999

Number of invitations to Season Announcement Party introducing the upcoming series

Number of invitations to annual End of Season Sponsor Recognition event

Full page

½ page

¼ page

⅛ Page

Sponsorship Benefits Exclusive sponsorship of one performance (classical music, American music, or spoken word) Exclusive sponsorship of one performance (dance, theatre, global music, chamber arts, or film) Private pre-show reception for up to twenty (20) guests for sponsored performance Opportunity to welcome audience and introduce performance from the stage of sponsored performance (subject to artist approval) Backstage visit and photo with artist(s) of sponsored performance for up to twenty (20) guests (subject to artist availability and approval) Priority ticket ordering for annual series and added performances (8/5–8/10 window; tickets go on sale to the general public on 9/15) Concierge ticketing service, including waived ticket and handling fees (for events ticketed through the FSU Fine Arts Ticket Office) Number of complimentary “gold section” tickets to events for the entire 2015-2016 series (subject to availability) Number of parking passes for the entire series in Concierge Lots (Brinkley or Mecca) for events at Ruby Diamond and Opperman Music Hall Number of complimentary drink tickets for the entire 2015-2016 series

Invitation to exclusive donor receptions and events Size of advertisement in series programs opposite of sponsored performance Company logo or individual designation on all sponsored print and online material and digital displays in venues (if available) Invitation to VIP athletic event hosted by Opening Nights

Placement on Sponsor/Member wait list for sold-out events

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

Endowments Opening Nights Performing Arts Series Endowment The purpose of the Opening Nights Performing Arts Series Endowment is to create an unrestricted endowed fund to support world-class artistic endeavors of the annual Opening Nights Performing Arts series. Disbursements from this fund will be made to commission new works, subsidize artistic fees, assist in operating costs, and any other expense related to the day-to-day operations of Opening Nights.

Opening Nights Student Access to the Performing Arts Endowment Opening Nights believes that the live performing arts are fundamental to the academic mission of a great public university and essential to the soul of our community. Because of this, Opening Nights offers discounted ticket options for students at Florida State University and our community. In order to underwrite student tickets, Opening Nights must subsidize $20 to $100 per ticket. By sponsoring this program, you assist in offsetting the subsidy Opening Nights provides, keeping ticket prices for students affordable. Note: Contributions towards the Opening Nights Performing Arts Endowments begin at $25,000 and up.

Planned Giving Options for planned giving via the Florida State University Foundation include:

By providing a venue where children can encounter worldrenowned artists first-hand, Opening Nights Performing Arts establishes a lasting legacy by creating the next generation of patrons and supporters of the arts. – Elenita Gomez, Opening Nights Member

■■ Charitable Bequest

■■ Charitable Lead Trust

■■ Retirement Assets

■■ Charitable Gift Annuity

■■ Life Estate

■■ Charitable Remainder Trust

■■ Life Insurance

Contact our Development Officer Chrys Goodwyne for more information: chrys.goodwyne@fsu.edu | 850.644.1133

openingnights.fsu.edu 49

Venues

2015-2016

Ruby diamond Concert hall Florida State University Westcott Building 222 S. Copeland Street Tallahassee, FL 32306

Opperman music hall Florida State University Kuersteiner Music Building 114 N. Copeland Street Tallahassee, FL 32306

Florida State University Fine Arts Building 530 W. Call Street Tallahassee, FL 32306

Askew Student Life Cinema Florida State University 942 Learning Way Tallahassee, FL 32304

Donald l. Tucker Civic Center

Fred turner auditorium

Florida State University 505 W. Pensacola Street Tallahassee, FL 32301

Tallahassee Community College Fine and Performing Arts Center 444 Appleyard Drive Tallahassee, FL 32304

nancy Smith fichter dance theatre

goodwood museum and gardens

Florida State University Montgomery Hall 130 Collegiate Loop Tallahassee, FL 32306

1600 Miccosukee Road Tallahassee, FL 32308

Richard g. Fallon theatre

Cascades Park

Florida State University Fine Arts Building 540 W. Call Street Tallahassee, FL 32306

1001 S. Gadsden Street Tallahassee, FL 32311

Challenger Learning Center

Pebble hill Plantation

Klemen Plaza 200 S. Duval Street Tallahassee, FL 32301

1251 U.S. Highway 319 South Thomasville, GA 31792

fsu alumni center Florida State University 1030 W. Tennessee Street Tallahassee, FL 32306

Museum of fine arts

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

For additional information on venues, parking, and maps, visit:

openingnights.fsu.edu

Tickets & Information Tickets go on sale to the General Public on

September 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. For priority ticket ordering, see pages 46-47 about membership. Please note that $15 tickets will not go on sale until 9/15.

Online openingnights.fsu.edu $2.00 Ticket Office processing fee per ticket

Student Tickets Student Tickets: $10 student RUSH tickets will be available on the following dates for the corresponding programs (pending availability):

Phone 850.644.6500

9/29/15 (Fall) | 1/19/16 (Festival) | 2/23/16 (Spring)

$2.00 Ticket Office processing fee per ticket

Once available, student RUSH tickets may be purchased online, over the phone, or in person. Limit 2 RUSH tickets per student ID.

In Person

Group Tickets Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are available for many performances. Call 850.644.7670 to learn more about group tickets.

Email Opening Nights sends parking and event information via email 1-2 days before each event. Please contact the Fine Arts Ticket Office if your email address changes to ensure we have your most up-to-date contact information.

Florida State University Fine Arts Ticket Office No processing fee per ticket Tuesday–Saturday, 11:00 am–4:00 pm The Fine Arts Ticket Office is located at 530 West Call Street in the lobby of the FSU Fine Arts Building. Free parking is available on the ground floor of the Call Street Garage, located on the corner of West Call and North Macomb Streets.

Refunds & Exchanges All ticket sales are final. There are no refunds unless an event is canceled and cannot be rescheduled. Tickets may not be exchanged for a different event but may be exchanged for alternate seating location (pending availability) for a $2.00 exchange fee.

Accessibility Opening Nights is committed to ensuring its performances are accessible to all patrons. Disabled parking spaces are available at all venues on a first come, first serve basis. Wheelchair accessible seats and seats for visually impaired patrons are available in all venues. Please contact the Fine Arts Ticket Office at 850.644.6500 to purchase tickets. Assistive listening devices (ALDs) and magnifying glasses (for programs) are available at many venues. Please ask a House Manager at the performance about acquiring an ALD or magnifying glass.

Broadway Series tickets should be purchased online through the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center’s website at tuckerciviccenter.com, by calling 850.583.4871, or by visiting the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center Box Office at 505 West Pensacola Street. The box office is located on the Northwest side of the building off of Pensacola Street. Note: Tallahassee Broadway Series tickets are subject to additional facility fees, handling fees, and print-at-home fees. Group ticket discounts are available; please call 850.645.0806 for more information. openingnights.fsu.edu 51

Opening Nights Performing Arts Florida State University 216 Westcott Building P.O. Box 3061350 Tallahassee, FL 32306-1350

openingnights.fsu.edu

2015-2016 Opening Nights Performing Arts

Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID Tallahassee, FL Permit #55