CHANGING THE LIVES THAT CHANGE THE WORLD
Carlos
PLATINUM
GOLD
ERIC
SILVER
MIKEY
BRONZE
WELCOME TO OPENING NIGHTS
Opening Nights at Florida State University is excited to bring the very best performing arts, music, dance, comedy, literature and visual arts to our campus and community.
In March, the lineup continues with the best in music and stage beginning with Pink Martini, featuring China Forbes. Jazz at Lincoln Center takes center stage at The Moon with Sing and Swing, featuring renowned jazz artists Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack. Stage and screen legend Mandy Patinkin and award- winning author Jesmyn Ward will also perform. Emerging bluegrass artists Damn Tall Building will put on a show at Goodwood Museum and Gardens.
Finally, April brings multiple collaborations for the visual arts, music education, community outreach and family programs. The month kicks off with seven-time Grammy® Award winner Terence Blanchard with the E-Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet, a special partnership event with the FSU College of Music.
April continues with our annual collaboration with the Chain of Parks Art Festival. Dean Mitchell is the featured artist this year. A partnership with Word of South will bring Rising Appalachia to town for a free community concert. Opening Nights will conclude its 2023–24 season with the iconic folk duo Indigo Girls on May 1.
We cannot think of a better time and opportunity to become a member of Opening Nights and to show your support of our mission to present exceptional artists. These performances create a thriving cultural life in our community and create priceless educational experiences on campus and throughout the community. Ask any Opening Nights associate about these philanthropic opportunities.
Thank you for sharing our season with us. We look forward to many more outstanding performances coming your way in 2024, Tallahassee’s bicentennial year.
Florida State University
Richard McCullough President
Opening Nights Staff
Allison Jordan Development Director
Grace Atkins Program & Operations Manager
Brad Lister Business & Patron Services Manager
Calla MacNamara Education & Engagement Manager
Noelle Enright Marketing & Communications Associate
Amanda Cole Senior Marketing Designer, University Marketing
Rodney H. Johnson Director of Digital Design & UX, University Marketing
Opening Nights Development Council
Eric Friall, Chair
Ron Sachs, Vice Chair
Gus Corbella, Immediate-Past Chair
Susan Stratton, Secretary
Kathleen Daly
Brooke Hallock
Heather Mitchell
Nan Nagy
Tom Nelson
Florida State University Partners
Office of the President
College of Fine Arts
College of Music
English Department
Challenger Learning Center
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
University Relations
University Communications
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
MARCH
4 Pink Martini with China Forbes World, Orchestra
7 Sing and Swing – A Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents Production featuring Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III Jazz, Swing
9 Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Being Alive with Adam Ben-David on Piano Broadway, Vocalist
18 Jesmyn Ward Author
21 Damn Tall Buildings Bluegrass
APRIL
5 Terence Blanchard featuring The E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet Jazz
6 Dinosaur World Live! Family, Educational
18 Chain of Parks Art Festival Presenting Artist Dean Mitchell Visual Art
27 Rising Appalachia Rock, Blues
MAY 1 Indigo Girls Rock
THEATRE TCC! 2023-24 SEASON COME JOURNEY WITH US!
Something Wicked This Way Comes
By Ray BradburyWhen the carnival comes to town, two boys unearth the terrifying and horrible secrets that lurk within Cooger and Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show and learn the consequences of wishes, as a sinister and evil force is at work in Green Town, Illinois.
October 12-14 at 8 p.m.
October 20 & 21 at 8 p.m.
October 22 at 2 p.m.
The Shape of Things
By Neil LabuteA young student drifts into an ever-changing relationship with an art major while his best friend’s engagement crumbles, unleashing a drama that peels back the skin of two modern-day relationships.
November 16-18 at 8 p.m.
December 1 & 2 at 8 p.m.
December 3 at 2 p.m.
Legally Blonde
Book by Heather Hach
Music and Lyrics By Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin
The ultimate tribute to girl power, Legally Blonde will take you from the UCLA sorority house to the Harvard halls of justice with the timely coming-of-age story of Broadway’s brightest heroine.
April 4-6 at 8 p.m.
April 12 & 13 at 8 p.m.
April 14 at 2 p.m.
Herb & Mary Jervis
Congratulations Opening Nights for fostering the Arts in Tallahassee for the past 26 years.
The students, faculty, and staff of FSU and the citizens of north Florida have been enriched by your efforts.
We eagerly await what the next 26 years will bring.
2023–24 MEMBERS
Producer’s Circle
Bart & Tamara Aitken ✽
David Altmaier u
Jann & Ray Bellamy H
Phillip & Betty Brown ✽
Kathleen Daly & Reinhart Lerch ON
Janet & Craig Dennis ✽
Liz Dudek ✽
Geof Mansfield & Jennifer Fitzwater u
Sharon & John Harris ✽
Jimmie Crowder Excavating & Land Clearing, Inc u
Paull & Nita Kirkpatrick
Stacey Lampkin ✽
Jim & Sharon Lowe ✽
Dr. Jayne M. Standley H
Kathy Villacorta & Carol Lees Gregg ON
David Waters
Partner Level
Mark & Stacy Alexander
American Endowment Foundation
Anonymous
Kathleen Brennan & Claude Hendon
Brandi & Steve Brown ✽
Berneice Cox u
Susan Crawford & Joseph Travis
Mike & Jeri Damasiewicz ✽
William Donnellan H
Grossman Furlow & Bayo H
ON Member for 15+ years
H Member for 10+ years
✽ Member for 5+ years
u First year members
Rhonda Harris & Ivelisse Muller u
Brenda & Tracy Hatch ON
William Hunter ✽
Susan & Al Kaempfer
In Memory of Helen Keaton
Ken & Lisa LeGette ✽
Dan & Jessica McGrew
Rhonda & Raymond Merritt ✽
Sam & Amber Nunnally
Kristine & Tom Parker
Gregory Schaberg & Rex Abert
Barbara Shapiro ✽
Angie & Marty Sipple u
Del Suggs & Denice Jones ON
Warren W. & Paula E. Sutton H
The Three Sisters ✽
Trydent Consulting, LLC u
Drs. Timothy & Hannah Walker u
Jason & Brenda Watts u
Bernie & Lisa Waxman
C. Gary & Wendy Williams H
Friend Level
Bonnie Basham & Warren Woodward
Ellen Berler & Bob Contreras ✽
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Davis ✽
Marcy P. Driscoll
The Hon. Stephen Everett & Meghan Everett ✽
Bill Graham & Shelley Hill ✽
Ken & Debbie Hodges ✽
Igler and Pearlman, P.A. u
John & Linda Kilgore H
Bob & Gail Knight H
David & Linda Knopf
Dorothy Lee H
Jimmy Martin & Carlos Fernandez
Randi & Chris New ✽
Evan & Heather Rosenberg u
Eleanore Rosenberg & Larry Sack H
Lynda Roser & Marilyn Yon
April Salter & Christopher Fagiano u
Sharon Slaten
Gary & Patricia Smith H
Nicole Taylor & Scott Cumbie u
John & Kendra Viele
David & Mary Jean Yon H
Associate Level
Eileen & Don Bourassa H
Jennifer & Scott Boyles ✽
Cathy Bracher
Pete & Bonnie Chamlis H
Karen & Bob Cohen ✽
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta u
Barbara Davidson & Anne Davis
Joseph & Alison DeBelder u
Pamala J. Doffek H
Colonel & Ms. Dunn ✽
Marilynn Evert ✽
Keith & Vangie Fields ✽
Archie F. Gardner & Giles C. Toole, III
Dr. & Mrs. John Bailey, Dr. Sanddra Schoenfisch u
Carole Goodyear
Myron Hayden
Barbara Hamby & David Kirby H
Amy M. Jones ON Lew & Patsy Killian
Raoul A. Lavin & Greg T. Burke ✽
Thomas Lawhorn
James Lee & Gordon Bedwell ✽
Brian R. Lockwood ✽
Dr. Lynne Y. Lummel & Dr. John W. Lee u
Shawn McCauley & Suzanne Smith
Susan McConnell H
McNeal/Dunn Family ✽
Ed & Linda Oaksford ✽
Stephen & Patricia C. Peters ✽
Tom & Dianne Phillips H
Piekarewicz Family H
Susan Potts & Michael Mesler
Michael & Sandra Radulski u
Stephen & Barbara Roberts ✽
Sarah & Terry Sherraden
Dawn & Greg Springs
Bruce Campbell & Susan Stephens ✽
Johanna Van Lierop Plummer
Ann & Jeff VanderMeer
David & Jane Watson
Debut Level
Francisco Alarcon & Kathleen Kearney
Dave & Lisa Alcorn
James & Marsha Antista
Drs. Charles & Sharon Aronovitch H
Dan & Ash Barrow u
Gary & Kathy Bartlett u
Keith Baxter & Wendy Hollady u
Jeff & Dede Berglund u
Heather & Sonny Bishop
Greg & Karen Boebinger
Bono Communications & Marketing, LLC
Adrienne J. Bowen ✽
Nell & Anita Bowers u
Ann Brattain ✽
Dr. & Mrs. A.J. Brickler III u
Robert & Carmella BugBee u
Morgan W. Bunch u
Keith & Julie Campbell u
Cynthia Cavallaro u
Robert & Linda Clickner ✽
Sue Colombo u
Andra Scott Cornelius & David E. Hatcher, Jr.
Katharine Etchen & Brandon Couillard u
Perry & Marilyn Crowell
Yvonne Cyphers u
Dorothy David u
Robert Deyle
Lori Elliott & Doug Hall ✽
Rick & Joyce Fausone ✽
Rosemary Ferguson
Mark Fontaine ✽
Belinda Takach France
William Gammon
Katherine Garner u
Richard Gordon ✽
David and Kathy Hale ✽
Karen Hawkins ✽
Lynn Heacock
Maura & William Heebink ✽
Gary Hudson u
Wade Johnson & Laura Rosner
Deborah Justice & Ross Obley H
Christine M. Keller ✽
Steve & Beth Kelly ✽
Wayne & Paula Kiger u
King & Wood, P.A. u
Bruce Lamont ✽
William Lampkin u
Marissa Langston u
Benjamin Lawson ✽
John Leach u
Terry & Fran Lewis ✽
Chris Livaudais u
Clay & Bree Lovel u
Dr. Christopher & Heather Lowery
Julie Lovelace & Burt Davy
Signature Art Gallery
Jeffrey Mandel u
David Joel Marsh
Simone Marstiller u
Thomas McCullion ✽
Tricia & Randy Merchant
Dr. Marion Merzer & Martin Merzer ✽
Lee Metcalf ✽
Alison & Burke Mewborne u
Mike & Karen Mobley
Jason & Vivian Moore
Mr. & Mrs. Jon Moyle Jr.
Lee & Lisa Nichols
Dustin & Helen Paulson u
William B. Porter u
Karalee Poschman u
Leslie Powell-Boudreaux u
Nikki Pritchett & Stephen Fox
Melissa Proctor u
Mark E. Reichert
LaShawn Riggans, Esq.
Kelly Russell
Rose Salinas u
Vincent Salters & Nancy Sampson u
Joann Sapolsky
Anne & Tim Selvey u
Charles & Pamela Shields ✽
Rabbi Paul & Wendy Sidlofsky, Temple Israel u
Larry & Linda Simpson
Sandy Sims & Rhoda Kibler
Smithsonian Management
Joanna Snyder
Nicholas Stratis
2023–24 members, cont.
Lily & Marty Swanbrow Becker u
Dan Taylor & Tony Archer ✽
Phyllis Thomson
Meredith Trammell u
Barbara Aguirre Trust
Steven & Christine Vancore u
Kurt Van Etten & Peggy Cheng
Kevin & Donna Watson u
David & Christy West u
Teresa & Tim White
Derek & Courtney Whitis u
Jodi Wilkof & Greg Munson
Nancy Wright MD H
Solo Level
Anonymous
Dillon B. u
Kathleen Barnett & Dr. Lonnie Draper
Lindsey Begue u
Stuart Bell u
Megan & Alan Benson
Shirley & Jerry Boland u
Cyndy Brantley u
Robbie & Sara Brunger u
Helen Burke & Jim O’Rourke
John & Petra Burns u
Martha Carmody u
Anthony & Janet Carro
Kitte & James Carter u
Kerry Conner u
Julie Decker
Hon. Angela C. Dempsey u
Vanessa Dennen & George
ON Member for 15+ years
H Member for 10+ years
✽ Member for 5+ years
u First year members
Williamson u
Nancy Dufoe & Jennifer Ray u
Kiki Dunton
Suzanne Ferrell-Locke & Bob Lutz u
Robin & Beth Eskin u
CJ & Luke Flynt u
Debbie Frost u
David Gaboardi u
JoAnne Graf u
Tori Greer u
July Gaby u
Vincent Kuntz u
Donna H. Heald
Hillary Hodges
Mike & Susan Hugunin u
Rachel S. Hunter & Tim Brown u
Susan & Bill Hurlbut
Consuelo Ingledue u
Kent Johnson u
Masoud & Amy Karimipour u
Robert & Cathy Kendall u
Jeanne Kimball u
Jo Anne Koch-Owens u
Dian & Chas LaTour H
Mark & Jan LeBar ✽
Jane LeGette u
Buck Lehman u
Tom Long
Andrew L. Maurey u
Laura & Mace Maxwell
Eileen McCann
Jerry McClure u
Greg & Robin u
Brent & Ashley McNeal u
Dr. & Mrs. John Meis u
María Morales u
Beth Mueller u
Garo & Stephanie Nargiz u
Ernie Paine & Ramona Abernathy-Paine u
Mollie Glover Palmer u
Joe Picklesimer ✽
Rachel & David Pienta
Amy Ray Ride or Die u
Kristin & Terry Roberts u
Marie A. Roberts
Nan Schultz u
Scott A. Shamp u
Leah R. Sherman
Bob Smith u
Patricia Gudis Smith
David & Samantha Spore u
Vickie Spray & Mary Waller
Lawrence P. Stevenson
Laurie Svec
David & Susan Tassinari u
Kurt Teets u
Michael & Ressa Tomkiewicz
Tina Torrance & Debo Groover u
Marianna Tutwiler ✽
Tom & Chris Waits u
Marianne Warhol u
Shane & Nia Wellendorf u
Joyce Murray & Pam Whitworth u
Glenn Woodsum, DJ Wright
Carole Wright Brogdon
For more information & to become a member, visit openingnights.fsu.edu/support/ membership or contact Allison Jordan, Director of Development at 850.778.7139 or allison. jordan@fsu.edu.
KICKBOXING FITNESS
Semi-Private Instruction
No Class Times
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CONTACT US TODAY TO KICKSTART YOUR FITNESS GOALS!
Sally Karioth & Amanda Karioth Thompson thank Opening Nights for their commitment to the arts in our community
Ken Kato & Nan Nagy
Proud Supporters of Opening Nights
Opening Nights, Opening Doors is a partner program of Prime Meridian Bank, FSU Opening Nights, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Big Bend. Now in its third year, the program provides on-campus experiences for Club members to inspire a vision of future opportunities in the areas of engineering, nursing, hospitality, and (coming soon) media and the arts.
MONDAY, MARCH 4
Ruby Diamond Concert Hall • 7:30 PM
Pink Martini with China Forbes
Featuring a dozen musicians with songs in 25 languages, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and North America. Pink Martini made its European debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and its orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony in 1998 under the direction of Norman Leyden. Since then, the band has gone on to play with more than 70 orchestras around the world, including multiple engagements with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the Boston Pops, the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center, the San Francisco Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony at the Sydney Opera House, and the BBC Concert Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Continued on pg. 19
“Perhaps the best experience in classical music.”
The Austin-American StatesmanGUS & AMANDA CORBELLA
Pink Martini
Continued from pg. 17
In 1994, in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Thomas Lauderdale was working in politics, thinking he would run for mayor one day. Like other eager politicians-in-training, he went to every political fundraiser under the sun… but was dismayed to find the music at these events underwhelming, lackluster, loud, and unneighborly. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world—crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop—and hoping to appeal to conservatives and liberals alike, he founded the “little orchestra” Pink Martini in 1994. His aim? To provide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers supporting causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, the environment, libraries, public broadcasting, education, and parks.
One year later, Lauderdale called China Forbes, a Harvard classmate living in New York City, and asked her to join Pink Martini. They began to write songs together. Their first, “Sympathique,” was an overnight sensation in France and nominated for Song of the Year at the Victoires de la Musique Awards. To this day, it remains a mantra for striking workers: “Je ne veux pas travailler (I don’t want to work).”
Pink Martini has sold well over 3 million albums worldwide on their own independent label Heinz Records (named after Lauderdale’s dog). In 2016, Pink Martini released its ninth studio album, Je dis oui!, which features vocals from China Forbes, Storm Large, Ari Shapiro, fashion guru Ikram Goldman, civil rights activist Kathleen Saadat, and Rufus Wainwright. The album’s 15 tracks span eight languages (French, Farsi, Armenian, Portuguese, Arabic, Turkish, Xhosa and English), and affirm the band’s
history of global inclusivity and collaborative spirit. In 2019, Pink Martini collaborated on a new release with the international singing sensation Meow Meow, entitled Hotel Amour, and also released two 5-song EPs, Besame Mucho, featuring regular guest singer Edna Vazquez, and Tomorrow, featuring regular guest singer Jimmie Herrod, a finalist on 2021’s season of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. During their pandemic hiatus, the band released two new digital singles written by Thomas Lauderdale, China Forbes, and producer Jim Bianco, “Let’s Be Friends,” and “The Lemonade Song,” which has over 10 million streams on Spotify alone.
Featuring more than a dozen musicians, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire throughout the world. Says Lauderdale, “We’re very much an American band, but we spend a lot of time abroad and therefore have the incredible diplomatic opportunity to represent a broader, more inclusive America… the America which remains the most heterogeneously populated country in the world… composed of people of every country, every language, every religion.”
The band made its European debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and its orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony the following year. Other appearances include a performance at the official post-Oscars celebration Governors Ball, four sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall, the opening party of the remodeled Museum of Modern Art in New York, multiple sellouts and a festival opening at Montreal Jazz Festival, and multiple appearances, including sellouts, at the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. In its 20th year, Pink Martini was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. In November of 2024, Pink Martini will celebrate its 30th anniversary!
PERINATAL
Dr. Adanna Amanze
Jonathan Brantley
Janet R. Thornton@openingnights
@openingnights
@openingnights
Opening Nights at Florida State University
Law Office of Linda P. Bailey, P.A.
Gus
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
MARCH
7 Sing and Swing – A Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents Production featuring Bria Skonberg & Benny Benack III Jazz, Swing
9 Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Being Alive with Adam Ben-David on Piano Broadway, Vocalist
18 Jesmyn Ward Author
21 Damn Tall Buildings Bluegrass
APRIL
5 Terence Blanchard featuring The E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet Jazz
6 Dinosaur World Live! Family, Educational
18 Chain of Parks Art Festival Presenting Artist Dean Mitchell Visual Art
27 Rising Appalachia Rock, Blues
MAY
1 Indigo Girls Rock
Dinosaur World Live! Dean Mitchell Jesmyn Ward Sing and Swing Terence Blanchard