F L O R I D A S TAT E UNIVERSIT Y DAL A SPRING 2021–22
I I SIZZLING
OPENING NIGHTS | 2021-22 Tallahassee’s Hottest Ticket.
TAYLOR • BLACKBURN FAMILY FUND Proud supporter of Opening Nights and their mission in Arts Education at Florida State University
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021-22
DIAMOND LEVEL
SPONSORS P L AT I N U M L E V E L
RON SACHS & GAY WEBSTER-SACHS
GOLD LEVEL E R I C & AN D R E A F R I ALL
CELEBRATING 120 YEARS H E R B & M AR Y J E R V IS
FSU License Plate
N AN N AGY & K E N K ATO
BE R N AD E T T E & R O G E R LU CA
S I LV E R L E V E L
JAMES W. GUSTAFSON, JR.
LEE HINKLE LINDA J. SMITH, PHD
MARSHALL & KIMBERLY CRISER MIKE Y BESTEBREURTJE & WILSON BAKER
BRONZE LEVEL SUZ AN N E & AR M AN D C O G N E T TA
Architects Lewis + Whitlock
PH I L & R I TA BL AN K
L AR R Y & JO D E E B
S ALLY KAR I OT H
J ER R Y & SUS AN J O H NS
DEBBY K E AR N E Y
R I CK K E AR N E Y
CH AR LE S & SUS AN ST R AT TO N
JIM & BE T T Y AN N R O DG ER S
IN-KIND SPONSORS, GRANTS & ENDOWMENTS
KELLY & L AURIE DOZIER ENDOWMENT FUND
LOUISE IREL AND HUMPHRE Y E XCELLENCE FUND
TALE THIA EDWARDS CONSULTING
SPONSOR SUPPORT DOES NOT INDIC ATE ARTIST S’ ENDORSEMENT OF ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE .
PeterBoulwareToyota.com 3800 W Tennessee St, Tallahassee, FL 32304
BLOCKBUSTER DEALS RED CARPET SERVICE
A Note from Michael
A
manda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala write and sing in harmony best described as angelic. These two best friends met in their high school music class in 2002, and have since released five albums and toured extensively across North America. Dala are now poised to bring their fresh brand of acoustic pop music to the world. The sheer joy with which they perform is infectious, turning first-time listeners into instant fans. Dala are equally entertaining between songs, telling funny and down to earth stories that make every show unique. No strangers to the festival scene, they have also performed at The New Orleans Jazz Festival and The Edmonton Folk Festival, among others. In 2009, they were the only Canadian act invited to play at the 50th Anniversary of the Newport Folk Festival. Dala’s PBS special, Girls From The North Country, was broadcast across North America. This concert features Dala’s own songs weaved around classics by Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Gordon Lightfoot. The live CD and DVD for Girls From The North Country earned Dala the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for “Vocal Group of the Year”. We thank you for your support through sponsorships, memberships and attendance which make all of what we do possible. There are a few great performances still to come this season and we hope to see you there.
Michael Blachly
OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 5
Putting Our Hands Together For Opening Nights Celebrating our 25th anniversary with the best entertainment.
sachsmedia.com | 850.222.1996 Public Relations | Public Affairs | Research | Crisis | Digital
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES Florida State University Richard McCullough President
Opening Nights Staff
MAY 12
Dala
27
Little River Band
Lori Elliott Development Director
folk, pop, vocal
pop, rock Sponsored by Taylor Blackburn Family Fund
Grace Atkins Program & Operations Manager Brad Lister Business & Patron Services Manager
JUNE 3
Calla MacNamara Education & Engagement Manager
Dance Theatre of Harlem dance, classical Sponsored by Eric & Andrea Friall
Amanda Cole Multimedia Design Specialist
University Communications, Creative Services Rodney Johnson Assistant Director of Creative Services
JULY 25
University Communications, Creative Services
2022–23 SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT Celebrating 25 Years!
NOVEMBER Opening Nights Development Council Gus Corbella, Chair Eric Friall
4
Pandora Presents
Disney Princess: The Concert family, vocal, musical theatre Sponsored by The Law Office of Johnny Devine
Brooke Hallock Heather Mitchell Nan Nagy Ron Sachs Susan Stratton
Cover photo: Dala OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 7
PROUDLY SUPPORTING
the Arts THE CITY’S TASTIEST ’CUE: A MOUTHWATERING P. 222 INSIDE: THE BIGGEST NORTHWEST FLORIDA WEDDINGSREVIEW ISSUE EVER!
TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE
TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE
An Appointment!
SEPT–OCT 2020
SEP-OCT 2014
+
Let’s Rally Around Art
High-Tech Bicycles
In the trees a Have on a zipline Night Out, adventure
College Style
Notes to Live By At Gun
A chaplain’s lost Shows, work resurfaces
Haggling is Part of the Fun
POET’S WORLD
First.com
City’s
MUSIC SCENE
comes alive
TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM
Thank You Tallahassee for Voting TIENTS FIRST as Best Family Practice.
TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM
BEST FAMILY PRACTICE
Opening Nights enriches life of the community
INSIDE: THE BIGGEST NORTHWEST FLORIDA WEDDINGS ISSUE EVER!
+
RENOVATIONS ARE NEARING COMPLETION AT STORIED, VENERATED CITY CLUB
» EARLY EDUCATION » COCKTAILS TO GO
» MEDICAL PROFILES » VISIT THE BEACH
Facing Fears
PASTA MAKING
GUN SHOWS
2-wheelers pick up speed
House Renovation Advice From Masters of verse at FSU the Experts explore a universe of words
A TRIP TO THE SHORE IS A NATURAL RESTORATIVE
High-Tech Bicycles 2-wheelers pick up speed
Facing Fears In the trees on a zipline adventure
Notes to Live By
A chaplain’s lost work resurfaces
POET’S WORLD
Masters of verse at FSU explore a universe of words A Plethora of Species North Florida bays nurture myriad life forms
City’s
MUSIC SCENE
comes alive
7/29/14 11:43 AM
SINCE 1979
Stay connected to Tallahassee’s latest activities and attractions. Read Tallahassee Magazine in print and online, plus like and follow on social media for the latest events and happenings. @tallahasseemag | tallahasseemagazine.com
Proud Supporter of Opening Nights
Tallahassee | Crawfordville | Lakeland | TryMyBank.com | Member FDIC
PROUDLY SUPPORTS OPENING NIGHTS
ENJOY THE SHOW! NAITALCOR.COM | (850)224-2300
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP Attorneys and Counselors at Law 215 South Monroe Street | Suite 400 Tallahassee, FL 32301 | 850.681.6810 | nelsonmullins.com
Carlos Rodriguez, College of Business Shanquell Dixon, College of Medicine
T HAT EMP OWERI NG E ACH OT HER GIVE S US T HE P OWER TO CHANG E T HE WORLD F OR T HE G O OD OF ALL . Potential is just the start of a push toward greatness. At FSU, the collaborative culture and supportive community helps to cultivate an environment that encourages innovative thinking. Because when we all bring our own unique perspectives and work together toward a common goal, we can all help make tomorrow better than today. Start your journey at fsu.edu/belivingproof FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY Be living proof.
2021-22 MEMBERS Director’s Level Jerry & Susan Johns Rick Kearney
Producer’s Circle Tamara & Bart Aitken ✽ Jann & Ray Bellamy H Phillip & Betty Brown ✽ Janet & Craig Dennis Elizabeth Dudek ✽ Jimmie Crowder Excavating u Nita & Paull Kirkpatrick Beth & Lawton Langford ON Geof Mansfield & Jennifer Fitzwater ON Mike & Judy Pate H Katie & Jason Pernell Piekarewicz Family ✽ Sherrill & Jimmy Ragans ON Dr. Jayne M Standley H Marjorie Turnbull ON Carol Lees, Gregg & Kathy Villacorta ON Tanya & Tony Weaver ✽ Teresa Beazley Widmer ON
Partner Level Jersey Mike’s Subs Law Office of Linda A. Bailey H Mary & Bob Bedford ✽ Michael & Judy Blachly Eileen & Don Bourassa ✽ Jennifer & Scott Boyles ✽ Grossman Furlow & Bayo, LLC ✽ Three Sisters Tara & Blaine Cherry u Kathleen Daly & Reinhart Lerch ON Jeri & Mike Damasiewicz ✽ Bob Davis u William & Caryl Donnellan H Lori Elliott & Doug Hall Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Farrar Susan & Jack Fiorito ✽ Louise & Marc Freeman H Margaret & Dave Groves H Barbara Hamby & David Kirby H
Sharon & John Harris Jean Hartman & Daniel Woodring Brenda Buchan & Tracy Hatch H Calynne & Lou Hill ON Bunnie & Bill Hunter Linda & Rick Hyson ✽ Ana LaBorde u Stacey Lampkin ✽ Katee Tully & Helen Levine u William Mincy Mr. & Mrs. Edgar M. Moore Kristine & Tom Parker Anna & Fred Roberson ✽ Barbara Shapiro Denice Jones & Del Suggs H Lisa & Bernard Waxman ✽
Friend Level Greg & Sharon Beaumont H Steven & Marie Becker u Kathryn Karrh Cashin ON Karen & Bob Cohen ✽ Ellen Berler & Bob Contreras ✽ Sandra & Jim Dafoe ✽ William & Mary Davis ✽ Drs. Ruth & Gib DeBusk ✽ The Hon. Stephen Everett & Meghan Everett ✽ Ken & Marilynn Evert ✽ David & Kathy Hale ✽ John & Linda Kilgore ✽ Bill & Dottie Lee H Jimmy Martin & Carlos Fernandez u Marjorie Masterman ON Dr. Marilynn McGhee u Steven & Dru Ann Rolander u Ms Rosenberg ✽ Dr. Martin Schwartz Jim & Shelley Tinney Jason & Brenda Watts Gary & Wendy Williams H David & Mary Jean Yon ✽
Associate Level Drs. Charles & Sharon Aronovitch H
AS OF 1/12/22
Ingolf Askevold & Margaret Mooney ✽ Carol & Brian Berkowitz H Dustin Heintz & Nancy Blum-Heintz Karen & Greg Boebinger H Cathy & Jim Bracher u Karen Bradley u Mary & David Coburn ✽ Lynn & L. Thomas Cox ✽ Elizabeth Dameron ON Pamala J. Doffek ✽ Marcy P. Driscoll u Jane & Mike Dunn ✽ Patrick & Kathy Dunnigan ✽ David & Paula Fountain ✽ Robert Steven Goldman u Shelley Hill & Bill Graham Mark Hoffman Greeley u Sharon & Vasken Hagopian u Ruth Ann High & Robert High u Debbie & Ken Hodges ✽ Wade Johnson & Dr. Laura Rosner Amy M. Jones ON Susan & Al Kaempfer Natalie King-Pedroso & Acelo Pedroso Gail & Bob Knight ✽ Linda & David Knopf Lisa Renee Lazarus u Jim Lee ✽ Brian R. Lockwood ✽ Susan & Matt McConnell ✽ McNeal/Dunn Family ✽ Dr. Marion & Mr. Martin Merzer ✽ Emily Millett ✽ Heather Mitchell Dr. Debbie Justice & Ross Obley H Tom & Dianne Phillips ✽ Connie & Bill Reinhardt ✽ Patricia & Gary Smith ✽ Sam Solomon u Dawn Springs ✽
Member for 5 years or more
H Member for 10 years or more ON Member for 15 years or more u First year members OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 11
CAPITAL CITY BANK PRESENTS
Patti LaBelle The soulful songbird with
style, elegance and grace.
PROUD SUPPORTER OF
OPENING NIGHTS
402.7500 www.ccbg.com
SINCE ITS PREMIERE.
Insurance. It’s a Beautiful Thing
31 3 1 L o nn bl adh Rd. | w w w. ear lbac on. c om | 8 7 8 - 2 1 2 1
The Award for Best Supporting Team goes to...
Charles & Susan Stratton We love Opening Nights and the staff!
...FSU Tag Holders for backing student scholarships. Thank you ‘Noles for making dreams come true! Visit any Florida tax collector’s office or mytag.fsu.edu to purchase your FSU Tag. Proceeds support student scholarships and academic enhancements. FSU provides a $25 rebate for first time buyers.
UPSTAGE THE REST. GET RESULTS THAT MATTER. Branding. Advertising. Digital. Public Affairs. themooreagency.com
Proud to partner with Opening Nights to provide cultural opportunities for the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend WA L M A R T. C O M
GT L AW.COM
Educate, Illuminate, Inspire. Greenberg Traurig is proud to be a sponsor of the 2021-2022 season of Opening Nights at Florida State University.
GREENBERG TRAURIG, P.A. | 2200 ATTORNEYS | 40 LOCATIONS ° Gus Corbella* | Senior Director | 850.222.6891 101 East College Avenue | Tallahassee, FL 32301 Greenberg Traurig is a service mark and trade name of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. ©2021 Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Attorney Advertising. °These numbers are subject to fluctuation. *Not admitted to the practice of law. 35613
WORLDWIDE LOCATIONS
United States Europe Middle East Asia Latin America
2021-22 MEMBERS, CONT. Mr. & Mrs. Jesse F. Suber ✽ Heather & Robert Telfer u Marilyn Young & Michael Launer ✽
Debut Level Lieutenant & Mrs. Michael Abbey u Francisco Alarcon & Kathleen Kearney Sandy & Tim Alexander u Cheryl Anderson u Tony Archer & Dan Taylor ✽ Randy & Cathy Armour ✽ Kathleen Barnett & Lonnie Draper u Walli Beall u William Belcher Bono Communications & Marketing LLC u Adrienne J. Bowen Sheila & Jim Boylan Brafford Accounting & Consulting PLLC Nolia & Bill Brandt H Ann Brattain Josh Bula u Nada Carey In Memory of Kirk Bell Cocke u Carol Cooper Robert & Ellen Crabtree ✽ Kira Derryberry Photography Mr. & Mrs. Richard DiChiara Sarah Egebergh u Anita R. Favors Rosemary & David Ferguson u Diane & John Fogarty Dianne Cazzaniga & Mark Fontaine ✽ Tim & Jamela Fordyce ✽ Kim Gabbard Kathy & Dean Gatzlaff u Christy & Richard Gordon Pamela D. & J. Byron Greene ✽ Freddie Groomes-McLendon Cory & Trey Head u Maura & William Heebink Judy Hefren u Karen & John Herrick u Lori Holcomb & Bob Fingar H Myles Hollander H Liz Jameson ✽ Dr. David & Dottie Jones
Paula Moyer Jones Kaye L. Kendrick Matt Keelean H Kristine Keller Beth & Steve Kelly ✽ Lametria & Bruce Lamont Grace & Tom Lawhorn Terry & Fran Lewis ✽ Dr. Azra Locke Chris Lowery u Dr. & Mrs. Edward Lyon ✽ Tom, Leisa & Sean McCullion ✽ Patricia Yancy Martin & Gayle Nelson u Dr. & Mrs. Cecil B. Nichols Professor Donna Marie Nudd & Terry Galloway u Susan R. Passmore u Sharon Strickland & Richard Pearlman ✽ Stephen & Patricia C. Peters ✽ Barbara & Randy Pople u Nikki J. Pritchett & Stephen J. Fox ✽ Pat Ramsey ✽ David Reed u Barbara & Stephen Roberts Margo Rogers Mary Apple & Steven Rollin ✽ Linda Lamb & Rich Senesac ON Carleen & Frank Shepp u Shauna Y. Smith u Susan Stephens & Bruce Campbell Warren W. & Paula E. Sutton H Judith Underhill ✽ Michael & Zilpha Underwood Josephine Venable u Mr. Percy & Gwendolyn Williams u Marilyn Wills ON Annette & Ronald Wilson Nancy Wright H
Douglas E. Brodbeck u Carole Wright Brogdon u Campbell Family ✽ Leslie Campbell u Janis & Russell Courson ✽ Julie Decker u Mary Eichin Alison & Eric Faris u James N. Floyd Amy Gray u Shannon Hartsfield u Laurie Kilbride u Dean Kindley Manette Kirkpatrick u Linda Krikorian u Dian & Charles LaTour H Jan LeBar ✽ Gene Madden u Ann & Milton Marquis u Carol Ann Mathews Debi McDaniel u Karen & Mike Mobley Linda & Ed Oaksford ✽ Pamela & James Pafford u Pamela L. Perrewe Wendy Jackson Plant u Mark E. Reichert u Aimee Reist u Ann E. Rowe u Margaret Stephens Jan B. Timm Donna Tornillo u Donna Warlick u Stacy L. Wheeler ✽ Art Wiedinger H Jodi Wilkof & Greg Munson u Dr. Barbara Williams In Memory of Vern Williams u Anne Wright Andrew & Jennifer Wyly u
Solo Level
For more information and to become a member, visit openingnights.fsu.edu/support/membership
Duke Anderson u The Ballas Family u Adrienne Barnes ✽ Tom and Laura Block David E. Boulter u Lela M. Bowman u
✽
Member for 5 years or more
H Member for 10 years or more ON Member for 15 years or more u First year members OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 15
We are proud to support Opening Nights. Let your financial performance take center stage.
All new accounts are subject to approval. Programs, rates, terms, conditions and services are subject to change without notice. ©2021 VyStar Credit Union.
Dala THURSDAY, MAY 12 OPPERMAN MUSIC HALL • 7:30 P.M. • $40 • GENRE FOLK, POP, VOCAL “What beautiful flights of melody and harmony ...” - Dennis O’Toole, The Peterborough Examiner Winners of the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala bring a fresh brand of acoustic pop music to the world. Drawing upon influences like The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, Dala writes songs that are both catchy and insightful. The sheer joy with which they perform is infectious, turning first-time listeners into instant fans. Continued on pg. 21
OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 1 7
Carlton Fields is pleased to sponsor the 2021-2022 season of Opening Nights at Florida State University. We celebrate the arts as an essential cornerstone of creativity and innovation. www.carltonfields.com Atlanta • Hartford • Los Angeles • Miami • New Jersey • New York • Orlando • Tallahassee • Tampa • Washington, D.C. • West Palm Beach
CLICK AND YOU’RE
CONNECTED
Every day brings an opportunity to connect with your community and one another. From cooking demos and exercise classes to coffee chats and informative workshops, AARP has so many online options at your fingertips. Find your community at states.aarp.org/florida/events-fl
FIGHT FRAUD
Law Office of
JOHNNY DEVINE Criminal Defense Landlord – Tenant Personal Injury
850.656.2500 johnnydevine.com
Mikey Bestebreurtje & Wilson Baker Proud Supporters of Opening Nights
Committed to fostering innovation and enriching the built environment through inspiring architecture.
EMBRACING LIFE TO ITS FULLEST
Enjoy active and engaging senior living with a variety of affordable apartments and single-family homes, plus the security of additional support like assisted living and nursing care, all on one campus.
For more information call (850) 878-1136.
www.WestminsterOaksFL.org
4449 Meandering Way Tallahassee, FL 32308
Dala Continued from pg. 17
On their fifth studio record, Best Day, Dala’s central message is as simple as it is compelling; if you’re unwilling to celebrate the impermanence of life as well as its constants in equal measure, you’re cheating yourself. It’s a sentiment the Toronto-based duo of Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine express concisely on the album’s title track, Best Day, and a reflection of the way they look at both their individual lives and their musical partnership. “Life is short,” Walther says. “You don’t know how long you have with the people you love, so you need to live every moment to the fullest, which isn’t a bad thing to be reminded of frequently.” That’s an assertion Dala underline beautifully by bracketing Best Day with ‘Life on Earth’ and ‘Still Life;’ two songs that encourage listeners to view their lives as masterpieces in the making, regardless of the materials they’re given to work with. Put bluntly, you have to experience winter to
enjoy the spring, a point driven home by the freezing weather Dala find waiting for them upon returning to Canada after a run of California shows in February 2012. It is the coldest day of the year thus far, but neither seems to mind. “We push each other to enjoy every moment, regardless, and we take great delight in where we are right now,” Carabine says. Dala have every reason to do so. Since the release of their debut, This Moment is a Flash (2005), the response from fans and critics alike to their insightful brand of acoustic pop has been uniformly enthusiastic. Their 2009 release, Everyone is Someone, received critical acclaim in the EU as well as in North America, with The Irish Post lauding it as the Album of the Year, and National Public Radio’s Folk Alley calling ‘Horses’ one of the Top Ten folk songs of 2009.In Canada, Everyone is Someone garnered Dala their fifth Canadian Folk Music Award (CFMA) nomination and a Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Folk Group. Additionally, their 2010 live CD/DVD, Girls From The North Country, won the pair a 2010 CFMA for Vocal Group of the Year,
a JUNO nomination for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Group and was broadcast repeatedly by PBS outlets throughout North America. Dala are grateful, but they tend to measure the success of their records according to more personal benchmarks, such as how well a given record reflects their friendship and how it might enable them to connect more effectively with their audience. Best Day is no exception. “We really feel this album represents all of the aspects of our personalities, individually and together,” Carabine says. Characterized by Carabine and Walther’s signature harmonies, and underpinned by relatively sparse accompaniment from piano, acoustic guitar, ukulele and only minimal drums, the result is surprisingly lush, particularly on tracks featuring string arrangements by Chris Bilton, Asher Lenz and cellist, Kevin Fox, such as ‘Not Alone’ and ‘Great Escape’. Lyrically, many of the songs on Best Day tread a fine line between uncertainty and hope, often finding Carabine and Walther asking questions both believe can never be answered completely. OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 2 1
Our gift supports two highly successful visual and performing arts presenters to collaborate and provide a unique, cultural experience for our community. – Laurie & Kelly Dozier Endowment Opening Nights & Chain of Parks Art Festival Presenting Artist Sponsors Lana Shuttleworth
www.targetprintmail.com
DAVID A. THERIAQUE, ESQUIRE S. BRENT SPAIN, ESQUIRE BENJAMIN R. KELLEY, ESQUIRE COMPREHENSIVE PLANS LAND DEVELOPMENT CODES PLANNING AND LAND USE LAW ADMINISTRATIVE ● TRIAL ● APPELLATE 433 NORTH MAGNOLIA DRIVE TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32308 TELEPHONE: 850.224.7332 1809 EDGEWATER DRIVE ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32804 TELEPHONE: 407.347.5388 WWW.THERIAQUELAW.COM
Dr. Linda J. Smith Full STEAM ahead— add the Arts to STEM! Support teachers and education!
Berger Singerman proudly supports Florida State University's Opening Nights and its efforts in bolstering arts education within the Tallahassee community.
www.bergersingerman.com
Dr. Cynthia Tie & Dr. David Pascoe northfloridaderm.com 850.402.9444
Proudly Supports 2021-2022 Opening Nights at Florida State University
Proud to sponsor Ledisi Sings Nina
Eric & Andrea Friall Proud to sponsor Dance Theatre of Harlem
Photo by Rachel Neville
Your financial
PARTNER for life! Your local, full-service credit union committed to empowering people to enhance their financial well being.
15 Convenient Locations FirstCommerceCU.org Proud Sponsor of Opening Nights.
Insured by NCUA.
“They’re the things we’re always grappling with, regardless of life’s highs and lows,” Carabine says, “but that’s the thread that ties all our music together.” Nowhere is that more evident than on Walther’s, ‘Father’ and Carabine’s, ‘Good as Gold’, both of which deal with the most complex, yet assuredly impermanent relationship of all in mind—the relationship between parents and their children. But even playful tracks, like ‘First Love’ and ‘Lennon McCartney’, carry the kind of emotional weight that’s so basic to our shared human experience that whether a listener is passing from the ‘wooly comforts of childhood into adulthood’, as Carabine says, or recalling memories long since buried, the songs will stop them in their tracks. That’s exactly the quality Dala hope to capture with every song they write and record—a high standard, perhaps, but one they credit producer, Mike Roth, for holding them to in the studio. Roth shares many of their most treasured influences, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan among them. Additionally, having produced all of their records to date, he’s uniquely suited to help the duo capture their evolving vision as more recent influences, American folk singer, Eliza Gilkyson, Radiohead and Fleet Foxes, for example, come to bear on their music. Dala’s ties to the setting they chose to record the bulk of Best Day are equally deep—a cottage in Honey Harbour, Ontario that’s long been a favorite getaway and songwriting haunt for the duo. “It’s the perfect place to recapture the feelings we had when we first wrote these songs,” Walther says. It’s also the direct inspiration for ‘Peggy’, a song inspired by the memory of the mother of the property’s owner, a women Carabine knew only through the books in the cottage library Peggy once penciled her name into, and the occasional note written in the margin of old cookbooks. Best Day marks the first time in years Walther and Carabine have written some songs separately for a record, Walther says. Regardless of how a song originated,by the time it’s recorded every track is a reflection of both singer/songwriters—an expression of their long friendship and the musical partnership they’ve nurtured since first meeting during a high school music class in 2002.
Dala
“We call it consensus writing,” Carabine says. “No song is finished until we’re both equally excited about it. We both have to sing them live and we really do swap leads, so it’s more important that we’re both happy than one of us feeling they had control from beginning to end.” And that’s as important to their songwriting as it is to their live shows, she adds. What drew Dala together initially was their shared love of the absurd –a quirky, irreverent and occasionally self-critical brand of humor that comes out as clearly in their music as it does in their often hysterical onstage banter. “We go to some emotional places in our music,” Walther says, “Humor serves as a relief from that, and a way to give the audience permission to laugh.” The more spontaneous the dialogue between songs, Carabine adds: “The better the performance and the more memorable the evening.” Fair to say Dala have spent many memorable evenings together over the past two decades. They’ve shared the stage with the likes of Jann Arden, Tom Cochrane, Richie Havens and
Arlo Guthrie and performed at some of North America’s highest profile music festivals. Among them the New Orleans Jazz Fest, Mariposa and the 50th Anniversary of the Newport Folk Festival in 2009—where Dala were the only Canadian act invited to play. Throughout their career the duo have toured tirelessly, building their following the oldfashioned way, by singing for anyone who’d listen and often turning first time listeners into instant, die-hard fans. Chances are it was hard going at times, but Dala have always opened themselves up to whatever challenges and opportunities life puts in their path without reservation, and with their latest release, they show no signs of altering that approach in the least. Some records you have to spin multiple times to feel close to and to be inspired by the sentiments they express. With Best Day, it
takes one listen—if that. Released in June 2012 on Campus Records/Universal in Canada, and Compass Records in the U.S., Best Day is Dala’s
boldest offering to date.
OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 25
For For your your planning For your for planning for tomorrow side. planning tomorrowfor side. tomorrow side. TALLAHASSEE'S TRUSTED FULL-SERVICE CATERING COMPANY
Proud to support Opening Nights!
www.socialcateringandevents.com info@socialcateringandevents.com (850) 800-7267
We plan for our future, so our loved ones don’t We plan foritour so our loved ones don’t have to do for future, us. Nationwide offers long-term haveplan to do forhelp us. Nationwide offers long-term care options to yousofinancially prepare for We foritour future, our loved ones don’t care options to help you financially prepare unexpected the road. This wayfor you have to do itevents for us. down Nationwide offers long-term
Steaks, Chops, Pasta, and Libations
unexpected events down the road. This wayless you can spend more time with your family, and care options to help you financially prepare for can spend more time with your family, and less time thinkingevents about down “whatthe if?”road. This way you unexpected
timespend thinking about if?” can more time“what with your family, and lessfor For your planning time thinking about “what if?” Contact your Nationwide agent today to learn tomorrow side. Contact yourlong-term Nationwide agent today to learn more about care options. more about long-term care options. Contact your Nationwide agent today to learn more about long-term care options.
201 E. Park Avenue illussotlh.com
McKee Insurance Agency (850) McKee224-6055 Insurance Agency patrick@mckeeagency.com (850) 224-6055 McKee Insurance Agency patrick@mckeeagency.com (850) 224-6055 patrick@mckeeagency.com
McKee McKee McKee INSURANCEAGENCY
AUTO } HOME
BUSINESS } LIFE INSURANCEAGENCY AUTO } HOME BUSINESS } LIFE
INSURANCEAGENCY
AUTO } HOME BUSINESS } LIFE
Life insurance is issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company or Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2017 Nationwide LAM-1882AO.2 (03/17) 6224524 Life insurance is issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company or Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2017 Nationwide LAM-1882AO.2 (03/17) 6224524 Life insurance is issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company or Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2017 Nationwide LAM-1882AO.2 (03/17) 6224524
“
I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being. - - Thornton Wilder
”
Saluting OPENING NIGHTS
at Florida State University
WEST PALM BEACH / TALLAHASSEE 8OO.78O.86O7 WWW.SEARCYLAW.COM
Kimberly & Marshall Criser Proud supporters of Opening Nights
LITTLE RIVER BAND MAY 27
DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM JUNE 1
NOVEMBER 4 GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY OPENINGNIGHTS.FSU.EDU OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 2 7
OPENINGNIGHTS.FSU.EDU
2 8 | 202 1– 2 2 OPENING NIGH T S