F L O R I D A S TAT E UNIVERSIT Y FEBRUARY 7, 2024
CHANGING THE LIVES THAT CHANGE THE WORLD
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OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 3
FROM THE DIRECTOR
O
pening 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. The second half of the 2023–24 season features critically acclaimed, award-winning artists and something for everyone in your family to love. Rock n’ roll legend Elvis Costello and the Imposters will kick off Tallahassee’s bicentennial year at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. The season continues with Canadian guitar maestro Jesse Cook and his flamenco jazz fusion style, followed by contemporary chamber orchestra Delirium Musicum. Legendary astrophysicist Dr. Neil de Grasse Tyson wraps up the month. February will feature performances with classical crossover artists Sons of Serendip at Turner Auditorium, followed by the show stopping Simon & Garfunkel Story. Dance enthusiasts will be delighted by Complexions Contemporary Ballet and the world- renowned Vienna Boys Choir. The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and Opening Nights will celebrate the music of the Beatles. And if that weren’t enough, GRAMMY® nominated Ruthie Foster will deliver a Texas blues show you do not want to miss. 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. I 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.
Jennifer Wright Director, Opening Nights at FSU OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 5
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UPCOMING PERFORMANCES Florida State University Richard McCullough President
FEBRUARY
Opening Nights Staff
7
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
11
PRISM
Jennifer Wright Director Allison Jordan Development Director Grace Atkins Program & Operations Manager Brad Lister Business & Patron Services Manager Calla MacNamara Education & Engagement Manager
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
Choral
14 Complexions
Contemporary Ballet
Dance
17 Classical Mystery Tour:
A Tribute to The Beatles with Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra
Symphony, Rock
29 Ruthie Foster Blues
MARCH 2
iLUMINATE
4
Pink Martini with China Forbes
Brooke Hallock
Family, Educational
World, Orchestra
Susan Stratton, Secretary Kathleen Daly
University Band
12 The Vienna Boys Choir
Noelle Enright Marketing & Communications Associate Amanda Cole Senior Marketing Designer, University Marketing
Broadway Style Tribute
7
Heather Mitchell Nan Nagy Tom Nelson
Sing and Swing – A Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents Production featuring Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III Jazz, Swing
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
9
Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Being Alive with Adam Ben-David on Piano Broadway, Vocalist
18 Jesmyn Ward Author
University Relations University Communications
OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 7
Herb & Mary Jervis Congratulations Opening Nights for fostering the Arts in Tallahassee for the past 25 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 25 years will bring.
Proud to partner with Opening Nights to provide cultural Opening Nights, Opening Doors isopportunities a partner programfor of the Boys Prime Meridian Bank,and FSU Opening Nights, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend 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 media W Asoon) LMA R T .and C Othe M arts.
2023–24 MEMBERS Producer’s Circle Mr. & Mrs. Bart Aitken ✽ Dan & Ash Barrow Jann & Ray Bellamy H
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✽
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Kristine & Tom Parker Gregory Schaberg & Rex Abert Barbara & Mark Shapiro ✽ Angie & Marty Sipple u
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✽
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Sherril Ragans Dr. Jayne M. Standley H Kathy Villacorta & Carol Lees Gregg ON David Waters
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Partner Level
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The Hon. Stephen Everett & Meghan Everett ✽
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ON Member for 15+ years
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u First year members
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✽
AS OF 1/16/24
10 | 202 2– 2 3 OPENING NIGH T S
Eleanore Rosenberg & Larry Sack H Lynda Roser & Marilyn Yon April Salter & Christopher Fagiano u Sharon Slaten Gary & Patricia Smith H John & Kendra Viele David & Mary Jean Yon H
Associate Level Eileen & Don Bourassa H Jennifer & Scott Boyles ✽ Pete & Bonnie Chamlis H Barbara Davidson & Anne Davis Joseph & Alison DeBelder u Pamala J. Doffek H Colonel & Ms. Dunn ✽ Carole Goodyear Jennifer & Matt Guy-Hudson Barbara Hamby & David Kirby H Linda Harkey H Amy M. Jones ON James Lee & Gordon Bedwell ✽ Brian R. Lockwood ✽ Dr. Lynne Y. Lummel & Dr. John W. Lee u Susan McConnell H McNeal/Dunn Family ✽ Hayden Myron Ed & Linda Oaksford ✽ Stephen & Patricia C. Peters ✽ Piekarewicz Family H Susan Potts & Michael Mesler
Michael & Sandra Radulski u
J. & Diane Fogarty
Kelly Russell
Stephen & Barbara Roberts ✽
Mark Fontaine & Dianna Cazzaniga ✽
Vincent Salters & Nancy Sampson u
Belinda Takach France
Joann Sapolsky
William Gammon
Susan Schatzman
Sarah & Terry Sherraden Dawn & Greg Springs Bruce Campbell & Susan Stephens ✽
Karen Hawkins
Anne & Tim Selvey u
✽
Charles & Pamela Shields ✽
Johanna Van Lierop Plummer
Maura & William Heebink
Ann & Jeff VanderMeer
Keith Baxter & Wendy Hollady u
Rabbi Paul & Wendy Sidlofsky, Temple Israel u
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Wade Johnson & Laura Rosner
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Debut Level
Deborah Justice & Ross Obley H
N. Stratis
David & Jane Watson
Francisco Alarcon & Kathleen Kearney Dave & Lisa Alcorn
✽
Smithsonian Management Lily & Marty Swanbrow Becker u
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✽
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Nell & Anita Bowers u Jim Boxold u Ann Brattain
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Carol J. Cooper ✽ Andra Scott Cornelius & David E. Hatcher, Jr. Katharine Etchen & Brandon Couillard u
Solo Level
Alison & Burke Mewborne u Mike & Karen Mobley
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CJ & Luke Flynt u OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 11
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2023–24 members, cont. David Gaboardi u
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Hutt Recruiting Services u Roger & Pat Keen u Robert & Cathy Kendall u Jeanne Kimball u Karen Lamb Dian & Chas LaTour H
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ON Member for 15+ years
H Member for 10+ years ✽
Member for 5+ years
u First year members
Tony Whitfield u
Lara Perez-Felkner
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Joe Picklesimer ✽
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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER? TO BECOME A MEMBER VISIT OPENINGNIGHTS.FSU.EDU/GIVE For more information on making a gift, please contact Allison Jordan, Director of Development at 850.778.7139 or allison.jordan@fsu.edu.
OPE NINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 13
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The FSU license tag program is proud to be a sponsor of Opening Nights. Support the arts—and FSU students— by getting your FSU tag today! Visit mytag.fsu.edu for more information.
Sally Karioth & Amanda Karioth Thompson thank Opening Nights for their commitment to the arts in our community
Thank you to our In-Kind Sponsors and Endowments Beth & Lawton Langford Endowment
Louise Ireland Humphrey Excellence Fund
Culture Builds Florida
Phipps Farm
FSU Alumni Association
Poco Vino
Goodwood Museum & Gardens
Tallahassee Magazine
Kelly & Laurie Dozier Endowment Fund
Social Catering & Events
TALLAHASSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
THEATRE TCC!
2023-24 SE A SON
COME JOURNEY WITH US!
Something Wicked This Way Comes By Ray Bradbury When 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 Labute A 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.
TCC.FL.EDU/THEATRETCC | THEATRETCC@TCC.FL.EDU
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Ruby Diamond Concert Hall • 7:30 PM
The Simon & Garfunkel Story The Simon & Garfunkel Story chronicles the amazing journey shared by the folk-rock duo, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It tells the story from their humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the ‘60s to their dramatic split in 1970. It culminates with the famous “The Concert in Central Park” reunion in 1981 with more than half a million fans in attendance. Using state of the art video projection, photos and original film footage, the show also features a full live band performing all of their hits, including “Mrs. Robinson” (featured in the 1967 film The Graduate), “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Homeward Bound” and many more .
“As close to the real thing as we’re going to get...” — Theatre Weekly
Continued on pg. 19 OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 1 7
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The Simon & Garfunkel Story
MUSICAL DIRECTOR Marc Encabo
Continued from pg. 17
STAGE MANAGER/BACKLINE TECH Luke Sage
Ruckus Entertainment Presents: The Simon & Garfunkel Story
CAST
With more than 100 million album sales since 1965, Simon & Garfunkel’s perfect harmonies and songs that poignantly captured the times made them one of the most successful folkrock duos of all time. Over the years, they won 10 GRAMMY® Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1977, their Bridge Over Troubled Water album was nominated at the 1977 Brit Awards for Best International Album. In 2003, Simon and Garfunkel were awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the following year saw their “The Sound of Silence” awarded a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. SHOW DIRECTOR Dean Elliott MUSIC SUPERVISOR Dean Elliott GENERAL MANAGER Joe Ruffner TOUR MANAGER Charles Miericke
PAUL SIMON Jonah Bobo, Elliot Lazar ART GARFUNKEL Brendan Jacob Smith, Maxwell Pinson
BAND KEYBOARDS AND BACKGROUND VOCALS Zach Kamins, Marc Encabo DRUMS & BACKGROUND VOCALS Billy Harrington GUITAR & BACKGROUND VOCALS Collin Keller, Josh Vasquez BASS GUITAR & BACKGROUND VOCALS Jay Hemphill
BIOGRAPHIES JONAH BOBO (Paul Simon) is an NYC based musician and theatre artist who is extremely passionate about both live performance and studio production. He is a multi-instrumentalist and producer
PRODUCTION MANAGER (NON TOURING) Cody Murray SOUND ENGINEER Matt Fox LIGHTING DIRECTOR Max Wurtz VIDEO DESIGN Z FRAME PRESS TELLEM GRODY PR LIGHTING DESIGN MIKE BERGER DESIGN LIGHTING PROGRAMMER AND DIRECTOR Jason Giaffo
Jonah Bobo OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 19
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Dr. Cynthia Tie & Dr. David Pascoe northfloridaderm.com 850.402.9444
as well as a recording artist, working with artists in New York and across the nation. As a composer his theatrical work has been awarded distinctions by the Richard Rodgers Award Foundation and the Eugene O’Neill National Theatre Center.
Brendan Jacob Smith
Elliot Lazar
ELLIOT LAZAR (Paul Simon) is a Bostonbased actor, singer and musician born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada. Last season he appeared in the National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof, The Band’s Visit (Huntington/ Speakeasy Stage), and Rent (Rainbow Stage). Selected credits: Another Roll of the Dice (North Coast Rep), Parade (Opera NUOVA), James and the Giant Peach (MTYP), American Idiot (Winnipeg Studio Theatre), Way to Heaven (Winnipeg Jewish Theatre), and The Magic Flute (Manitoba Underground Opera). MFA in Theatre (Boston Conservatory) and BMus in Vocal Performance (University of Manitoba).
by posting covers throughout the pandemic. He recently released his debut album with his brother Damon under the name, The Brightmares. Brendan was previously seen as Frankie Epps in Parade (The Rev Theatre Co.), Ben in Happily The Musical (NYMTF), and spent two summers as a member of Hyannis Sound, Cape Cod’s professional a cappella group. Brendan grew up harmonizing to Simon and Garfunkel songs in the stairwell of LaGuardia high school (the fame school) Zach Kamins
BRENDAN JACOB SMITH (Art Garfunkel) is a singer, actor and songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of Ithaca College, where he studied music and theater. Brendan was recently seen on America’s Got Talent with his vocal trio, T.3. Composed of three tenors, T.3 gained a following on social media OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 2 1
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2023-2024 Opening Nights at Florida State University
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alongside his good friend Jonah Bobo, and couldn’t be more excited to get to sing these incredible songs once again with him.
Marc Encabo
ZACH KAMINS (Keyboards/background vocals) Zach is a composer and multiinstrumentalist from Los Angeles. He graduated from Berklee College of Music and plays keyboards for a progressive rock band called, The Flower Kings. Zach created another band called, An Endless Sporadic, which has music featured in video games such as Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland and several Guitar Hero games. He tours internationally with The Flower Kings and has also toured playing keyboards for Paul Young and Midge Ure (Ultravox). Max Pinson
MAX PINSON (Art Garfunkel) is a New York based actor and singer originally hailing from Kansas City. A recent graduate of Otterbein University, The Simon and Garfunkel Story will be his professional debut. Recent credits include Something Rotten! and The Pajama Game. Max also spent the past two summers as a member of Cape Cod’s professional allmale a cappella group, Hyannis Sound. He is extremely excited to get to travel all over the country telling the story of Simon & Garfunkel!
MARC ENCABO (Keyboards/Background Vocals) is a Los Angeles-based multiinstrumentalist and performer. Being heavily surrounded by music throughout his upbringing in San Diego, CA, he would find his musical voice through school, YouTube, and church, leading to teaching himself to play guitar, piano, and bass, and to furthering his studies as a jazz bassist at the renowned Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach. As a songwriter, composer, and collaborator, he has arranged for, performed, and recorded with and for various artists and groups across the US, UK, Europe, and the Philippines. JOSHUA VASQUEZ (Guitar/Background Vocals) is a guitarist from San Diego, CA. At the age of 12 he was inspired by classmates at the time to pick up the guitar and eventually decided to pursue it as a career. His pursuit brought him first to the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and upon graduation began attending Berklee College of Music in fall 2013. At Berklee he studied with some of the most renowned teachers in contemporary guitar education. Teachers such as Rick Peckham, Tim Miller, Mike Williams (once a teacher to John Mayer), and Mick Goodrick. Since graduating from OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 2 3
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Joshua Vasquez
Beach, California. Starting on the cello at age 7, he quickly developed a passion for every instrument he could get his hands on. He switched to bass in high school and got his first taste of being a professional musician when he started playing jazz and musicals. From there, he has had the opportunity to tour across America with many brilliant musicians, as well as play in multiple musicals, including the world premiere of The Boy who Danced on Air, and perform with his own project, Discount Art. Billy Harrington
Berklee in 2017, Josh has been working as a freelance player and session guitarist in the Southern California area, doing everything from recording for up and coming artists and video games to being in music videos and playing for theater. His accolades include improvisation awards from several jazz festivals and being a semi-finalist in Guitar Center’s King of the Blues competition in 2011. Jay Hemphill
JAY HEMPHILL is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and audio engineer from Long
BILLY HARRINGTON (Drums and Background Vocals) From Ann Arbor, Michigan, Billy Harrington is a full-time drummer keeping busy with recording sessions and live work. With a bachelors in the Musical Arts & Jazz Studies from the University of Michigan, he has lectured on early pop drumming and most extensively on the drumming of Ringo Starr, including for the university’s symposium celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and as a featured artist in the Oxford University Press textbook, What Goes On : The Beatles, Their Music and Their Time. As producer, his own shows, A Night For James: A Tribute to the Music of James Taylor, and Lennon & McCartney tribute All Together OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 25
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Now debuted in 2015 and 2016. In 2019, Billy’s research on the drums of Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham with Paul Thompson of Roxy Music was published in Modern Drummer magazine. Recent stage credits include Always… Patsy Cline and Mamma Mia (Encore Musical Theatre Company 2021-22), and national tours, The British Invasion Live (Quatro & Maple Tree Entertainment 2022) and Dirty Dancing In Concert (Quatro Entertainment 2022). Billy is so excited and honored to be on stage celebrating two of pop music’s greatest songwriters, Simon & Garfunkel. Collin Keller
COLLIN KELLER (Guitar/Background Vocals) is an American guitarist, touring musician, songwriter, and producer from the heartland of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Collin is a Berklee College of Music graduate specializing in songwriting and performance. He has toured internationally including appearances on major festival stages and is credited as a songwriter having worked with global majorlabel artists. Playful yet mesmerizing, his musical style reflects the heart of John Mayer, the energy of Jack Garratt, and the spirit of The Beatles. Notable past performances include Osheaga Festival, Switchyard Music
Festival, The Life and Music of George Michael, and Dirty Dancing in Concert alongside being nominated as ‘Boston Pop Artist of The Year’. ABOUT RUCKUS ENTERTAINMENT (Producers) Ruckus Entertainment, based in Los Angeles and formed in 2022, brings together veteran entertainment producers Alison Spiriti, Justin Sudds, Dean Elliott and Ralph Schmidtke who are collectively responsible for producing over 100 touring productions seen by millions around the world. Their burgeoning production company brings audiences world-class concerts and live events and is focused on celebrating the history and music behind iconic, globally recognized musical artists. Current productions include The Simon & Garfunkel Story, The Life and Music of George Michael and The British Invasion. DEAN ELLIOTT (Show Director, Musical Supervisor) rose to fame as the lead role of Buddy Holly in the Olivier Award nominated musical Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story. In this role he had the honour of opening the 2008 West End Revival at the Duchess Theatre, London, West End and after much media praise was asked to open and perform in the show in Buddy’s hometown of Lubbock, Texas, in front, and with, Buddy’s immediate family before taking the role around Europe and Canada. Before ‘Buddy’, Dean trained at the prestigious Sir Paul McCartney’s ‘Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts’ (LIPA) and other notable theatre work includes Over The Rainbow - The Eva Cassidy Story (UK No1 Tour), Release The Beat (Arcola Theatre, London) and the multi award winning Ed The Musical (Edinburgh Festival). Notable TV and radio appearances include Richard and Judy, BBC London Tonight, The Jonathan Ross Show and BBC Radio 2’s Elaine Paige Show. Dean has always been a fan of Simon and Garfunkel and is thrilled to be able to bring the music and story together with this fantastic team and tour it around the world! OPENINGNIGH T S .F SU.ED U | 2 7
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Gus Corbella* | Senior Director | 850.222.6891 101 East College Ave. | Tallahassee, FL 32301 ©2023 Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Attorney advertising. °These numbers are subject to fluctuation. *Not admitted to the practice of law. 38843
Holland & Knight is proud to sponsor
OPENING NIGHTS at Florida State University. We congratulate Opening Nights on another season of compelling experiences that educate and inspire audiences on and off campus.
Calynne Hill Realtor®/Partner
850-545-6140 Calynne@HillSpooner.com
www.hklaw.com Shannon Hartsfield, Executive Partner Tallahassee, FL | 850.224.7000 Copyright © 2023 Holland & Knight LLP All Rights Reserved
Akerman LLP is a proud sponsor of Opening Nights at Florida State University, inspiring diverse audiences through extraordinary artistry.
Bruce I. Wiener Office Managing Partner, Tallahassee 850 224 9634 bruce.wiener@akerman.com 700+ Lawyers, 24 Offices akerman.com ©2023 Akerman LLP. All rights reserved.
Debby Kearney Delighted to be experiencing the magic of live performance with you this season.
850.671.6600 targetprintmail.com
Jim & Betty Ann Rodgers
The Vienna Boys Choir
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES FEBRUARY 11
PRISM
University Band
12 The Vienna Boys Choir Choral
14 Complexions Contemporary Ballet Dance
17 Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to The Beatles with Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra
Symphony, Rock
iLUMINATE
29 Ruthie Foster Blues
MARCH 2 4 7
iLUMINATE
Family, Educational
Pink Martini with China Forbes
World, Orchestra
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
Sing and Swing
18 Jesmyn Ward Author
21 Damn Tall Buildings Bluegrass
APRIL 5
Terence Blanchard featuring The E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet
Jazz
Terence Blanchard
OPENINGNIGHTS.FSU.EDU