DEBBY KEARNEY THE COULTER FAMILY BORNTREGER LAW, P.A.
KEEFE STRATEGIES, LLC
RWD INNOVATIVE SPECIALTY TRIMS, LLC
THE KELLY & LAURIE DOZIER ENDOWMENT FUND FOR OPENING NIGHTS
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
CHARLES S. & SUSAN A. STRATTON
LAW OFFICE OF LINDA A. BAILEY, P.A.
PERINATAL
MARJORIE TURNBULL
THE LOUISE IRELAND HUMPHREY EXCELLENCE FUND
2024–25 SEASON
JANUARY
An Evening with Lyle Lovett
Isata Kanneh-Mason
An Evening with KC & the Sunshine Band
Henhouse Prowlers
Henry Cho
The Kingdom Choir
Holiday, Vocal
& Boston Brass
New York Gilbert & Sullivan
in H.M.S. Pinafore
Six One Five Collective
FEBRUARY
Vitamin String Quartet: The Music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton & Beyond Classical, Contemporary
EVIL WOMANThe American ELO Rock, Tribute
Concert Band, Jazz, Pop
The Music of Billy Joel Starring Michael Cavanaugh with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra Classical, Rock
Phat Cat Swinger
Margo Price County, Singer-Songwriter
MARCH
Twyla Tharp Dance Diamond Jubilee Dance
Time for Three Americana, Classical
Treasure Island Family, Theater
Anoushka Shankar Classical, World
Garrison Starr Country, Rock APRIL
The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra Directed by Scotty Barnhart
Cover Photo: Anoushka Shankar by Laura Lewis
American Patchwork Quartet Americana, World
Chain of Parks Art Festival
Artist
Douglas
Isata Kanneh-Mason photo by David Venni
WELCOME FROM THE
OPENING NIGHTS TEAM
We welcome you to the Florida State University Opening Nights 2024–25 Season. This year, we are thrilled to present a vibrant array of performances to captivate your interest, whether you are returning for cherished favorites or exploring new and intriguing options.
Our season features thirty performances across eleven diverse venues in Tallahassee, encompassing nineteen artistic genres. We aim to offer something for everyone in our community, ensuring each performance appeals to a broad spectrum of tastes.
For over 25 years Opening Nights has been a unifying force, bringing together people from across our community, region, and state to celebrate life through exceptional performances. This season, we are excited to showcase world-class talent, from legendary artists to emerging stars shaping the future of the performing arts.
We encourage you to explore new artists and events this season and share your thoughts and feedback. Your feedback is not just important; it's invaluable. It's the compass that guides us in shaping future seasons. Many of our offerings are a result of suggestions from past audience members, staff, and faculty.
Additionally, true to FSU's mission as a premier educational institution, our educational program, Opening Nights in Class,
continues to make a positive impact on K-12 students in Leon County Schools and higher education students alike. This commitment to education enriches our community and aligns with our goal of fostering a love for the arts among younger generations.
Our heartfelt thanks go to our sponsors and members, whose unwavering support not only enables us to present a diverse range of established artists but also allows us to highlight emerging talents. Your contributions are crucial to the success of Opening Nights. We also want to express our deep appreciation to the Development Council and Education Committee along with our community and campus partners. Their unwavering support and collaboration are essential to the evolution of Opening Nights.
As we embark on this exciting season, we celebrate you—our supporters—who are the real stars of Opening Nights. Let's share the magic of live performances with all who wish to be enthralled. Spread the word to your friends and family—we would love to welcome them into our Opening Nights community.
Enjoy the season and thank you for your continued support.
Warmly,
The Opening Nights Team
Advanced ticket ordering before Public On-Sale for events ticketed through the ON Ticket Office (some exclusions may apply)
Ticket discount of $5/ticket (waived service fees) for events ticketed through the ON Ticket Office
Ticket discount of $5/ticket (waived service fees) before Public On-Sale for events ticketed through the ON Ticket Office
Get dibs and discounts on the best tickets.
Park Like a Rock Star
Enjoy reserved, convenient parking for Ruby Diamond Concert Hall and Opperman Music Hall.
Support the Performing Arts in Tallahassee
Help bring distinguished artists who provide extraordinary experiences that educate, inspire and connect our community.
Invitation to an Opening Nights in Class event (masterclass, workshop, artist lecture, etc. — subject to artist/school approval)
Invitation to the Season Announcement Party
Priority placement on wait lists for sold-out events
Recognition on ON website and in performance programs
2024–25 TICKET INFORMATION
TICKET DELIVERY
Print-at-home tickets have no delivery fees and are available for all tickets purchased online or by phone. Please select the option when ordering online or when placing your order by phone.
Will Call Tickets have no delivery fees and will be available at the venue one hour prior to the performance start time.
Mail Delivery Tickets have an additional $5-per-order service fee.
Service and delivery fees are not refundable.
IN PERSON
OPENING NIGHTS TICKET OFFICE
Credit
The
Cirque Kalabanté
photo by Peter Graham
LAUREN DAIGLE
Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Lauren Daigle is a two-time GRAMMY®, eight-time Billboard Music Award, four-time American Music Award, and twelve-time GMA Dove Music Award-winner. With over a billion streams and years of sold-out U.S. and international tours to her name, Daigle continues to cement her status as a modern vocal powerhouse with a global, ever-growing fanbase. Her latest Grammy-nominated album, Lauren Daigle, consists of 23 new songs including the recent RIAA goldcertified single, “Thank God I Do.” The Grammy-nominated single earned Daigle her sixth Billboard No. 1, making her the first artist to have two songs top the chart for 20+ weeks. Since the release of her Grammy Award-winning, 2x platinum-certified 2018 album Look Up Child—which includes the breakthrough, 6-time platinum hit single “You Say”—Daigle has been a mainstay on the Billboard charts.
SPONSORED BY BETH & LAWTON LANGFORD
AN
EVENING
WITH LYLE LOVETT & HIS LARGE BAND
A singer, composer, and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel, and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers. Whether touring as a ‘Duo’ or with his ‘Acoustic Group’ or ‘Large Band,’ Lovett’s live performances show not only the breadth of this Texas legend’s deep talents but also the diversity of his influences, making him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music. Since his self-titled debut in 1986, Lovett has evolved into one of music’s most vibrant and iconic performers. Among his many accolades, besides the four GRAMMY® Awards, he was given the Americana Music Association’s inaugural Trailblazer Award and was named Texas State Musician. His rich and eclectic works are some of the most beloved of any artist working today.
SPONSORED BY
ISATA KANNEH-MASON
Pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason is internationally acclaimed as both a soloist and chamber musician. Her repertoire, ranging from classical masters like Haydn and Mozart to modern composers like Gershwin, showcases her versatility. Notable venues include the Barbican, Queen Elizabeth, and Wigmore Halls in London, the Philharmonie Berlin, and the Prinzregententheater in Munich. Kanneh-Mason’s chart-topping debut recording features Clara Schumann’s piano concerto, reflecting her affinity for both traditional and contemporary works. Recognized for her musical prowess, she’s an ECHO Rising Star and recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Award and Opus Klassik Award. KannehMason’s collaborative album Muse with her brother Sheku Kanneh-Mason garnered acclaim, and she continues to captivate audiences globally with her exceptional talent and dynamic performances.
Photo by David Venni
SPONSORED BY JIM LEE & GORDON BEDWELL
AN EVENING WITH KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND
IN COLLABORATION WITH VISIT TALLAHASSEE AND SCOTT CARSWELL PRESENTS
KC and the Sunshine Band are still as widely popular today as they were when they first danced into the music scene. Harry Wayne Casey—KC for short—developed a unique fusion of R&B and funk, with a hint of a Latin percussion groove, giving us an impressive string of hits like “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s The Way (I Like It),” and “Shake Your Booty.” With sales of over 100 million records, nine GRAMMY® nominations, three Grammy Awards and an American Music Award, KC and the Sunshine Band was one of the most progressive bands of the ‘70s and is credited with changing the sound of modern pop music. Today, KC and the Sunshine Band play over 100 live shows annually, circling the country and playing dates regularly throughout Europe, Australia, and South America.
This event is being ticketed by the Adderley Amphitheater. To purchase tickets, visit theadderleyamphitheater.com
SPONSORED BY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15
HENHOUSE PROWLERS
Founded nearly two decades ago with the simple desire to play original and powerful bluegrass, this Chicago-bred quartet now finds itself at the intersection of performance, diplomacy, and education. Onstage, the group’s enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do. On record—including their latest offering, 2023’s Lead and Iron, released via Dark Shadow Recording—the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers’ music, the band bends and squeezes the traditional form into a keenly developed sound of their own. Working with the U.S. State Department and under their own nonprofit, Bluegrass Ambassadors, the Prowlers have toured over 25 countries across the globe. The group’s experiences with people and musicians across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East have shaped the band’s worldview and broadened the group’s direction toward bridging cultural gaps with music, educational programs, and workshops.
SPONSORED BY CHRIS & SUSANNE DUDLEY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
SAMARA JOY
With her GRAMMY® Award-winning Verve Records debut, Linger Awhile, 24-year-old Bronx native Samara Joy has positioned herself to join the likes of Sarah, Ella, and Billie as the next mononymous jazz singing sensation recorded by the venerable label. Her voice, rich and velvety yet precociously refined, has already earned her fans like Regina King and Elton John, appearances on the Today show, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS Mornings, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, The Drew Barrymore Show, etc., in addition to millions of likes on TikTok—cementing her status as perhaps the first Gen Z jazz singing star. Linger Awhile introduced that massive audience to a slew of classic standards several times older than she is through her timeless, irresistible sound. In 2024, Joy won a third Grammy Award for her take on the Betty Carter classic “Tight” and is currently in preparation for her full-length follow-up. The New York Times praised the “silky-voiced rising star” for “helping jazz take a youthful turn” while NPR All Things Considered named her a “classic jazz singer from a new generation.”
Photo by Ambe
J. Williams
KAVEH AKBAR
IN COLLABORATION WITH FSU ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Kaveh Akbar is one of the best-known poets in America. His poems appear in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Paris Review, Best American Poetry, and elsewhere. His work is a welcome reminder that art and literature can save your life and sustain the soul. Kaveh is the author of two poetry collections: Pilgrim Bell and Calling a Wolf a Wolf, in addition to a chapbook, Portrait of the Alcoholic. He is also the editor of The Penguin Book of Spiritual Verse: 100 Poets on the Divine. In 2024, Kaveh published his first novel, Martyr!, of which John Green praises, “So stunning, so wrenching, and so beautifully written that reading it for the first time, I kept forgetting to breathe. I will carry this story, and the people in it, with me for the rest of my life.” In 2020, Kaveh was named Poetry Editor of The Nation. The recipient of honors including multiple Pushcart Prizes, a Civitella Ranieri Foundation Fellowship, and the Levis Reading Prize, Kaveh was born in Tehran, Iran, and teaches at the University of Iowa and in the low-residency MFA programs at Randolph College and Warren Wilson. In 2014, Kaveh founded Divedapper, a home for dialogues with the most vital voices in American poetry. With Sarah Kay and Claire Schwartz, he wrote a weekly column for the Paris Review called “Poetry RX.”
Photo by Beowulf Sheehan
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24 & FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
URBAN BUSH WOMEN
IN COLLABORATION WITH FSU SCHOOL OF DANCE
Urban Bush Women (UBW) burst onto the dance scene in 1984, with bold, demanding and exciting works that brought undertold stories to life through the art and vision of its award-winning Founder, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. The Company weaves contemporary dance, music, and text with the history, culture, and spiritual traditions of the African Diaspora. Celebrating 40 years of shining light on untold and under-told stories, This is Risk takes the audience through intentional storytelling to the next space of our collective brilliance. This energetically charged evening features a new work by Co-Artistic Directors Chanon Judson and Mame Diarra Speis, and iconic works by Founder Jawole Willa Jo Zollar.
by Jason
Photo
Williams
HENRY CHO FROM HERE TO THERE TOUR 2024
Comedian Henry Cho’s career reached new heights on February 11 when he became the 229th member of the Grand Ole Opry, marking the first comedian to receive this honor since 1973. With notable TV appearances on NBC’s The Tonight Show and CBS’s The Late, Late Show, Cho’s comedic prowess has earned him recognition as host of NBC’s Friday Night Videos and creator of The Henry Cho Show on GAC. His one-hour Comedy Central Special, What’s That Clickin’ Noise? and film credits in productions such as Universal’s McHale’s Navy and Material Girls underscore his versatility. Cho’s clean comedy has garnered him key performances at the 59th Annual Radio & Television Correspondents’ Dinner and collaborations with notable artists like Vince Gill and Amy Grant. He continues to expand his repertoire with recent projects like the faith-based film Saving Faith and the Hallmark movie The Farmer and the Belle - Saving Santaland
Photo by Tim Skipper
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
THE KINGDOM CHOIR
London’s The Kingdom Choir™ is best known for their show-stopping performance at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018. The group’s performance of “Stand by Me,” seen by a global audience of over two billion, instantly catapulted the Choir to worldwide fame. Founded in 1994 by award-winning conductor Karen Gibson, the Choir draws from various Christian traditions to create a sound that reflects the community they share through their warm energy and enthusiastic performances. Gibson is an awardwinning gospel choir conductor who has conducted some of the most prestigious, largescale choirs in the UK. The high standard of her work has taken her across Europe and further—Japan, Rwanda, Nigeria, Guyana, and the U.S. Gibson’s choirs are regular finalists or winners of choir competitions, including BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year. The Kingdom Choir is one of her many choirs that have spread the joy of the genre.
SPONSORED BY BERNADETTE & ROGER LUCA
MONDAY, JANUARY 13
CIRQUE KALABANTÉ
Afrique en Cirque is a show by Yamoussa Bangoura, inspired by daily life in Guinea. This performance shares the beauty, youth, and artistry of African culture. A colorful show beyond its scenery, costumes, and staging, Cirque Kalabanté makes any theater vibrate with energy with its depictions of the strength, agility, and joys of young Africans. The audience will see acrobats execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, accompanied by the contemporary sounds of live Afro-Jazz, percussion, and kora. Welcome to the universe of Kalabanté Productions, and prepare for an unforgettable journey. Kalabanté Productions was created by Yamoussa Bangoura, a multidisciplinary artist of Guinean origin. Bangoura’s dream was to found a school of circus arts and to direct his own multidisciplinary company specializing in the African arts.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16
TWISTED PINE
Praised by NPR for their “upbeat, poppy vibe; energetic, driving rhythms; and virtuosic solos,” Twisted Pine (Kathleen Parks, fiddle; Dan Bui, mandolin; Chris Sartori, bass; Anh Phung, flute) grooves with fearless improvisation and intricate arrangements. They released their sophomore full-length album Right Now in 2020 (Signature Sounds Recordings). Sartori writes, “this album is easier to feel than describe. We’re rooted in bluegrass, continually inspired by explorers like Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, and Sierra Hull. Right Now takes this heritage into a new dimension. Our bluegrass is jazzy, our indie folk is poppy, our grooves are funky.” Exploring a sound they call “Americana Funk,” Twisted Pine takes traditional music in exhilarating directions. “They were once bluegrass,” wrote The Boston Globe, “but ... this Boston band has become something else, a wider version of string band, boundary jumpers akin to outfits like Punch Brothers, Nickel Creek, and Crooked Still.”
Photo by Blake Hannahson
JANUARY 22
IMANI WINDS & BOSTON BRASS
IN COLLABORATION WITH FSU COLLEGE OF MUSIC
Boston Brass and the 2024 GRAMMY®-winning Imani Winds are excited to announce the creation of a new consortium! Their Florida State debut will feature the world premiere of a new work for the ensembles by the iconic, multi-Grammy Award-winning musician and composer Arturo Sandoval along with Aram Khachaturian’s well-known favorite, “Sabre Dance” (from his ballet Gayane), music of Paquito D’Rivera and Manuel De Falla, Billy May’s “Flight of the Green Hornet,” and more! Since 1986, Boston Brass has set out to establish a one-of-a-kind musical experience featuring colorful classical arrangements, burning jazz standards, and the best of original brass repertoire. Imani Winds celebrates over a quarter century of music making during which the group has led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations, and outreach endeavors that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Photo by Shervin Lainez
Photo by Donna Conversano
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29
PINAFORE
Ride a wave of music and laughter as romantic sailors, sisters, cousins, and aunts sing and dance their way across the deck of the fanciful British naval vessel with the improbable name. The very proper Captain Corcoran and ridiculously pompous Sir Joseph Porter preside, the villainous Dick Deadeye speaks the ugly truth, and Little Buttercup reveals the outrageous mistake that allows true love to overcome the problems of class distinction. Memorable signature tunes abound on board the ship and the riotous “Bell Trio” sparks a celebration in Act II. The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players’ production of H.M.S. Pinafore features an elaborate setting of a ship’s deck, based on drawings by Gilbert himself, and beautiful Belle Epoch costumes. Besides the lush sounds of legitimate voices and a full orchestra, this production offers energetic action, lively choreography, and broad comedy.
LEE HINKLE
SPONSORED BY
Photo by Danny Bristoll
SIX ONE FIVE COLLECTIVE
The Six One Five Collective is a collaborative effort and creative brainstorming of four artists who are steeped in the musical mix of country, Americana, folk, and pop. Their sound is an undeniable wall of distinctive harmonies, vocal prowess, and solo voices that are reminiscent of those great American bands that have come before them: Fleetwood Mac, Little Big Town, etc. Their roadshow is an eclectic mix of original solo music, hit songs they’ve written for other artists, and high-energy songs that are the “Six One Five sound.” They’ve toured around the world, opening for John Legend, India Arie, John Hiatt, Kenny Chesney, and others. They’ve played the Grand Ole Opry stage, C2C, and have toured extensively overseas. They are nationally awarded artists and songwriters with three GRAMMY® nominations and an IBMA Song of the Year honor. Their songs have been written for household names like George Strait, Lee Brice, Marc Broussard, Sister Hazel, and several TV shows such as Nashville, Parenthood, and Virgin River
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
VITAMIN STRING QUARTET
THE MUSIC OF TAYLOR SWIFT, BRIDGERTON , & BEYOND
Long before Bridgerton broke the Netflix algorithm, Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) had helped establish classical crossover as a genuine force in contemporary music. Fresh off high-profile placements in Seasons 1 and 2 of the aforementioned streaming smash, VSQ has “reached a mainstream, global audience” (Variety) and “charmed the world with their classical covers” (Nylon). New York Observer wrote, “VSQ’s atmospheric hits have made classical versions of pop music cool.” On their latest tour, VSQ has created fresh arrangements of the cultural phenomenon that is Taylor Swift, performing spellbinding and innovative renditions of Swift’s music, alongside familiar hits from Billie Eilish, BTS, Bridgerton, The Weeknd, and Daft Punk. VSQ is one of the most popular string ensembles in the world with over 2 billion streams and seven albums charting on both Billboard Classical and Classical Crossover charts.
SPONSORED BY
THE SACHS FAMILY IN HONOR OF AIMEE NICOLE SACHS
Photo by Eli Pruett
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE
FEATURING... EVIL WOMAN – THE AMERICAN ELO
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE featuring EVIL WOMAN - The American ELO is a multimedia concert celebration of the music of ELO. Audiences are left spellbound by the flawless musicianship of EVIL WOMAN’s 12 musicians. The attention to detail on all the vocal harmonies and string arrangements is amazingly accurate to all of the original recordings. Violins, Violas, and Cellos co-exist with guitars as classic rock intersects with pop... just as ELO intended it. This production includes unique video content for each song and the fusion of Beatles-esque pop and classical arrangements with a live string section is brought to life. “Mr. Blue Sky,” “Telephone Line,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Livin’ Thing,” “Evil Woman,” and “Roll Over Beethoven” are among a list of over 20 instantly recognizable chart-topping hit songs!
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9
PRISM
IN COLLABORATION WITH FSU COLLEGE OF MUSIC
Packed with performances ranging from small ensembles to the world-renowned Marching Chiefs, PRISM is a yearly favorite. The program showcases the immense talent boasted by Florida State University’s College of Music students and faculty. Known for blending traditional fare with more recognizable popular tunes, PRISM is a gem for music lovers of all kinds. This remarkable and lively performance migrates around the venue with each changing ensemble, creating a one-of-a-kind experience based on your location. Come enjoy the energy and passion of Florida State’s music program first-hand in this unforgettable performance!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
THE MUSIC OF BILLY JOEL STARRING MICHAEL CAVANAUGH WITH
THE TALLAHASSEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Michael Cavanaugh is the new voice of the American Rock & Roll Songbook and a charismatic performer and musician made famous for his piano/lead vocals in the Broadway musical Movin’ Out. Handpicked by Billy Joel to star in Movin’ Out, Cavanaugh evokes a style rivaling the Piano Man. He appeared in the show for three years with over 1,200 performances and received multiple accolades. The show culminated in 2003 with both GRAMMY® and Tony Award nominations. It wasn’t long before symphony orchestras discovered Cavanaugh’s talents and audience appeal. He accepted his first orchestral booking, Michael Cavanaugh – The Songs of Billy Joel and More, which debuted in April 2008 with the Indianapolis Symphony and continues to tour today. Recently, Cavanaugh reached the POLLSTAR Live75, the top 75 active touring acts in the country.
SPONSORED BY
LES & RUTH AKERS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
PHAT CAT SWINGER
If Bruno Mars and Frank Sinatra made a band, it’d look and sound like Phat Cat Swinger. Phat Cat Swinger specializes in highenergy music with that classic Hollywood touch. What sets them apart is the showmanship, movement, and creative takes on swing classics. The band can often be experienced on The Disneyland Resort stages, presenting re-imagined Disney songs and originals in the iconic Phat Cat sound. Phat Cat Swinger is featured in videos with Christina Aguilera and The Jonas Brothers. They appear at A-List shindigs, like the Playboy Mansion, and JJ Abrams invited them to perform for his company, Bad Robot Productions. Their end of show salute, “Together...we are...Phat Cat Swinger!” means that they are a band in every sense of the word—every cat on stage shines. While led by founder Marco Palos and vocalist Mark Kopitzke, the musicians all play off one another and the audience to create an authentic one-of-a-kind experience—one that blows the roof off the place.
OPENING NIGHTS GALA MARGO PRICE
Margo Price has something to say but nothing to prove. In just three remarkable solo albums, the singer and songwriter has cemented herself as a force in American music and a generational talent. A deserving critical darling, she has never shied away from the sounds that move her, the pain that’s shaped her, or the topics that tick her off, like music industry double standards, the gender wage gap, or the plight of the American farmer. (In 2021, she even joined the board of Farm Aid.) Rock and roll, psychedelic country, rhythm & blues, and even bright shiny pop, they’re all there on her fourth full-length album, Strays, but as each refract through her artistry, that delicate vocal and unhurried delivery, they come out sounding singularly her. While the last few years have seen remarkable moments of acclaim—a Best New Artist GRAMMY® nomination, Americana Music Honors, a Saturday Night Live performance, and just about every outlet and critics’ year-end Best Of list—Price is still hungry. “I still have a lot of drive inside of me,” she says. “I have a chip on my shoulder. It feels like I still haven’t been able to fully realize all my dreams yet, and that eats me up.” Just wait.
SPONSORED BY
RON SACHS & GAY WEBSTERSACHS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
DOOLIN’
After recording their last album in Nashville and spending three years touring the largest gatherings and folk festivals in the United States and Canada, Doolin’ returned at the end of 2022 with a new opus entitled Circus Boy, still under the signing of the prestigious American label Compass Records. Circus Boy is the story of wandering: from Doolin, the Irish village of fishermen, to New York and Montreal, from Chicago to New Orleans, then returning to Dublin, London, and Paris. The group drew inspiration from its human and musical adventures. Early Irish folk has become a crossbreed of African American culture (funk, soul, jazz, rap), French song, and pop music. Doolin’ delivers this unique style with contagious stage energy that the six musicians draw from their Toulouse roots, which they pay homage to in their new show through a very personal version of ‘L’Amour Sorcier’ by Claude Nougaro (with the collaboration of the Bumcello group).
Photo by Yann Orhan
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
THE LEGENDARY
COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA
IN COLLABORATION WITH FSU COLLEGE OF MUSIC
In the history of jazz music, there is only one bandleader that has the distinction of having his orchestra still performing sold-out concerts all over the world, with members personally chosen by him, for over 30 years after his passing. Pianist and bandleader William James “Count” Basie was and still is an American institution that personifies the grandeur and excellence of jazz. The Count Basie Orchestra, today directed by Scotty Barnhart, has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, won 18 GRAMMY® Awards, performed for Kings, Queens, and other world Royalty, and appeared in several movies, television shows, and at every major jazz festival and major concert hall in the world.
directed by SCOTTY BARNHART
THURSDAY, MARCH 6
TWYLA THARP DANCE
DIAMOND JUBILEE
Twyla Tharp celebrates her 60th anniversary with a Coast-to-Coast tour featuring her Olivier-nominated Diabelli Variations, set to Beethoven’s masterpiece of the same name, and a new dance to a reimagining of Philip Glass’s iconic Aguas da Amazonia. Showcasing Tharp’s uncanny and witty use of music to create a work of startling originality and beauty, the two dances once again ensure Tharp’s place as one of the greatest artists of our time. The first and only choreographer to take on the intensely demanding and demonically complex Diabelli Variations, Tharp makes visible the elegant humor and depth of the composer’s layered genius. With each section of the Beethoven, unique in mood and texture, Tharp’s response—tender, teasing, transcendent, cheeky—commands all of its performers’ technical prowess—and energy—as they change effortlessly from ballet, to jazz, to modern, with unexpected bits of social and street dance for good measure. Almost two centuries later in years and spirit is Philip Glass’s Aguas da Amazonia, arranged and recorded by members of Third Coast Percussion in close collaboration with Tharp, performed on a unique collection of custom-designed percussion instruments. This groundbreaking evening is not one to be missed and is sure to dazzle audiences with its stellar dancing and phenomenal musicianship.
TIME FOR THREE
GRAMMY® and Emmy-winning ensemble Time for Three (TF3) defies convention and boundaries by showcasing excellence across different genres, including classical music, Americana, and singer-songwriter. Their unique sound captivates audiences, immersing them in a musical experience that merges various eras, styles, and traditions of Western music. TF3, consisting of Charles Yang (violin, vocals), Nicolas “Nick” Kendall (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals), combines their instruments and voices in a remarkable sound, establishing a distinct voice of expression that resonates with listeners worldwide. TF3’s collaborations with acclaimed contemporary classical composers and Pulitzer Prize winners Jennifer Higdon and Kevin Puts resulted in the Grammy Award-winning album, Letters for the Future, conducted by Xian Zhang and featuring the Philadelphia Orchestra. Time for Three’s artistic achievements, fueled by their relentless pursuit of musical excellence, have solidified their status as a remarkable ensemble. Their Grammy win and extraordinary collaborations speak to their unwavering dedication to pushing creative boundaries and captivating audiences with their exceptional talent.
SPONSORED BY
Photo by Lauren Desberg
SATURDAY, MARCH 22
TREASURE ISLAND
One of the most popular adventure tales of all time, Treasure Island spins an action-packed, fun-filled tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of characters with bad intentions who meet their match and are foiled in their attempts. From The Panto Company and told as only they can, it’s seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola. This thrilling adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, a scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle and the message that good wins over evil every time. RICHARD G. FALLON THEATRE • 1 P.M. & 3:30 P.M. • $30 • GENRE FAMILY, THEATER
ANOUSHKA SHANKAR
Anoushka Shankar brings to Tallahassee a new band of musicians with whom she has carved out a new, multifaceted and dynamic sound. They will perform music from her three newly released mini-albums: Chapter I: Forever, For Now; Chapter II: How Dark it Is Before Dawn; and marking the release of Chapter III (Untitled) coming in March 2025. They will also play thoroughly shaken-up, reinterpreted gems from her previous releases, including the GRAMMY®-nominated live album Between Us… Shankar marks 30 years of performing in 2025, with this band that has been hailed as one of the best ensembles to have toured with Shankar across her performing career. The energy and camaraderie on stage is unmatched as Shankar leads the way in pioneering a new sound through inventive arrangements, sensitive virtuosity, and a neoclassical approach to the music tradition to which she belongs.
Photo by Laura Lewis
KEN KATO & NAN NAGY
GARRISON STARR
Garrison Starr is the quintessential musical triple-threat: singer, songwriter, and GRAMMY®-nominated record producer. Her soon-to-be-released latest full-length album, Garrison Starr and The Gospel Truth, reveals her at the height of her powers. Starr calls the new collection of songs, “Swamp Gospel Hymns for Humans.” Her previous album, Girl I Used to Be, released during the pandemic in March 2021, launched her exploration of deconstruction on the path towards self-love and forgiveness. Starr is a celebrated singer of such remarkable reputation that music icons go out of their way to praise her. Her frequent collaborations with other artists have been both in the studio and on stage—Starr has toured with the likes of Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Cockburn, Patty Griffin, Mindy Smith, Glen Phillips, and The Indigo Girls, to name a few, logging hundreds of thousands of touring miles across the country and around the world.
TUESDAY, APRIL 1 & WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
DAKHA BRAKHA
DakhaBrakha is a music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine. Reflecting fundamental elements of sound and soul, Ukrainian “ethno chaos” band DakhaBrakha creates a world of unexpected new music. DakhaBrakha was created in 2004 at the Kyiv Center of Contemporary Art “DAKH” by the avant-garde theatre director Vladyslav Troitskyi, and given the name that means “give/take” in the old Ukrainian language. After experimenting with Ukrainian folk music, the band has added rhythms of the surrounding world into their music, thus creating the bright, unique, and unforgettable sound of DakhaBrakha. They strive to help open up the potential of Ukrainian melodies and to bring it to the hearts and consciousness of the younger generation in Ukraine and the rest of the world as well. Accompanied by Indian, Arabic, African, and Ukrainian traditional instrumentation, the quartet’s astonishingly powerful and uncompromising vocal range creates a trans-national sound rooted in Ukrainian culture. At the crossroads of Ukrainian folklore and theater, their musical spectrum is at first intimate then riotous, plumbing the depths of contemporary roots and rhythms, inspiring “cultural and artistic liberation.” THE MOON • 7:30 P.M. • $65 • GENRE WORLD
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
AMERICAN PATCHWORK QUARTET
American Patchwork Quartet (APQ), led by multi-GRAMMY® award-winning guitarist/vocalist Clay Ross, binds timeless American folk songs with jazz sophistication, country twang, West African hypnotics, and East Asian ornamentation. APQ’s sound is a masterful confluence of tradition and innovation, transcending culture, politics, and ideology. A southern-born roots music aficionado, Ross is also the founder of the world-renowned Gullah group Ranky Tanky. APQ resonates as a potent symbol of unity in diversity. It stands testament to the notion that, from a collage of varied backgrounds, a coherent and beautiful whole can be fashioned. Mirroring America’s cultural mosaic, APQ stitches together a story that’s both intricate and resilient. The fabric of their music is genuine—it neither feigns tolerance nor presents an overly-embellished image of unity. Instead, each carefully chosen piece dives deep into America’s patchwork soul and shares the joys, sorrows, and unwavering hope of a nation crafted by shared dreams and diverse histories.
CHAIN OF PARKS ART FESTIVAL PRESENTING ARTIST
ANDRA DOUGLAS
Andra Douglas left Florida for New York City in the 1980s to earn a master’s degree in communications from Pratt Institute. She has lived in New York for over thirty years. Originally from Zephyrhills, a tranquil town in Central Florida, she attended Florida State University, playing Rugby, flag football and excelling at golf while majoring in communications design to hone her art and photographic skills. The art of Andra Douglas captures a passing moment. In ‘Elegiacal’ she touched on rural scenes with a wistful tone. She returns to these moments with her new show ‘Exit 65’. Themes of loss, adventure, mystery and celebrations of landscapes and passages are evident in the work. Distant blurred images of people in motion as well as abstracted images of ‘Red Car’ create a drama of stillness, adding to the force of the show.
ON in Class events
5,725
students impacted by free Opening Nights programming
college students involved with ON in Class
1,005 students gifted performance tickets
4,635
K-12 students impacted by ON in Class (workshops and school shows)
2024 ARTS ADVOCATE AWARD WINNER PRESENTED BY
OPENING NIGHTS EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Scott Leaman, Chair Sally Ash
Lewis Blessing
Dr. Benny Bolden
“I am very humbled that people appreciate all the things that I do with the students in and out of the classroom. I am grateful
that I genuinely enjoy creating experiences for our students by collaborating with the
community.”
— Janine Falah, Visual Arts Teacher, Fairview Middle School
Ashley Chandler Dr. Michael Douty
Brooke Hobbs
Dr. Lakeisha Johnson
Jonathan Klepper
Dr. Christopher Small
Stacy Weaver
Tasha Weinstein
Dr. Joe Williams
2024–25 VENUES
RUBY DIAMOND CONCERT HALL
Florida State University • Westcott Building 222 S. Copeland Street
NANCY SMITH FICHTER DANCE THEATRE
Florida State University Montgomery Hall 130 Collegiate Loop
ADDERLEY AMPHITHEATER
Cascades Park 1001 S. Gadsden Street
RICHARD G. FALLON THEATRE
Florida State University
Fine Arts Building 540 W. Call Street
JIM MORAN BUILDING
Florida State University 111 S. Monroe Street
AUGUSTA CONRADI STUDIO THEATRE
Florida State University
Williams Building 631 University Way
OPPERMAN MUSIC HALL
Florida State University • Kuersteiner Music Building 114 N. Copeland Street
GOODWOOD MUSEUM & GARDENS
The Carriage House 1600 Miccosukee Road
FRED TURNER AUDITORIUM
Tallahassee State College Fine and Performing Arts Center 444 Appleyard Drive
LEE HALL AUDITORIUM
Florida A & M University 1601 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
THE MOON 1105 E. Lafayette Street
For additional information on venues, parking, and maps, visit: OpeningNights.fsu.edu/visit
