The Suncoast Jazz Festival, now in its 33rd yearrd year this weekend, couldn’t be more different than the annual Jazz Holiday – Clearwater’s other multi-day jazz concert event.
While the Clearwater Jazz Holiday is an outdoor series, traditionally at Coachman Park (now the site of the Sound Amphitheater), the Suncoast Jazz Festival takes place on indoor stages at two Sand Key resort hotels, the Sheraton Sand Key Resort and the Marriott Suites.
Suncoast, unlike Jazz Holiday, isn’t big on “name” headliners (although in recent years, few of Jazz Holiday’s “names” have been actual jazz artists).
Many of the Bay Area’s top jazz artists will be performing over the three days (Friday through Sunday), including John Lamb, Synia Carroll, Nate Najar, Daniela Soledade, La Lucha (with and without Ona K), Al Downing All-Stars , Jeremy Carter, Valerie Gillespie, Theo Valentine and more.
From the Lowcountry of South Carolina comes the band Ranky Tanky, which specializes in jazzy interpretations of Gullah music, a deep tradition in that part of the country. Ranky Tanky has two Grammy Awards, both for Best Indigenous Indigenous Music Album.
Vibraphonist Jason Marsalis will make several appearances throughout the weekend. Young Jason, you might guess, is part of the legendary Marsalis family of musicians in New Orleans.
Others to watch (and listen to): trumpeter and singer Kermit Ruffins and his Barbecue Swingers, guitarist Diego Figueiredo, stride pianist Rossano Sportiello, the Dave Bennett Quartet and New York favorites Professor Cunningham and His Old School.
Find the schedule, tickets and everything else at this link.
Because I’m The Saxophonist (Jazz Part 2)
Saxophonist Andy Snitzer, who has been on numerous major rock ‘n’ roll tours (including two dates with the Rolling Stones and several as a full-time member of Paul Simon’s band), will play Saturday at the Palladium Theater Side Door. He will be joined by Tampa saxophonist Kyle Schroeder, for whom he serves as a mentor, friend – and influence. Tickets here.
The visual arts
Opening on Saturday at the Dalí Museum is Dali and the Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Degas, etc. It is a collection of breathtaking original artworks, most of which are on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Read all about it at this link.
The weekend also brings the 26thth annual Florida CraftArt Festival, featuring original works in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, and wood; it’s happening Saturday and Sunday at the Florida CraftArt Gallery downtown. The information is here.
Friday’s guest in our Arts Alive! podcast is a mural artist from Pinellas Park Derek Donnelly.
Where is the orchestra?
The Florida Orchestra examines Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 this weekend; in the same program will be Chopin’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 (with pianist George Lee) and Wagner’s Flying Dutchman Overture. Vladimir Kulenovich conducts at 8pm Friday at Ferguson Hall, Straz Center; 8pm Saturday, Mahaffey Theatre; Sunday, 7:30 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall. Tickets and info here.
And more concerts
Punk icon Henry Rollins speaks Friday at the Palladium Theatre. Advertising photo.
In case you’re wondering, there isn’t Rise Up St. Pete concerts scheduled at The Pier this weekend.
Tonight (Thursday November 16)
Christmas again with Mannheim steamroller, in The Sound. Tickets.
from mexico Mariachi Sol De Mexico by Jose Hernandez at the Capitol Theater. Tickets.
Friday, November 17
Spoken word artist and punk icon Henry Rollins in Palladium. Tickets.
comedian Hannah Berner at the Tampa Theater. Sold.
comedian Joe Who visiting Amalie Arena. Tickets.
Saturday, November 18
Blues guitarist Poppa Chubby at the Safety Harbor Art & Music Center. Tickets.
A country music legend Dwight Yoakam at The Sound. Tickets.
Singer/Songwriter Bruce Hornsby at the Capitol Theater. Tickets.
Singer/Songwriter Ben Rector in Ruth Eckerd Hall. Tickets.
Sunday, November 19
comedian Antony Jeselnik at the Seminole Hard Rock Event Center. Tickets.
From Puerto Rico, salsa vocalist and bandleader Gilberto Santa Rosa in Morsani Hall, Straz Center. Tickets.
No Exit closes this weekend at Off-Central in St. Petersburg. Photo: Tampa Scenic Photography.
On theater stages
The Weird-But-Strange-Enthralling Gang Welcome to Night Vale podcast returns to the Tampa Theater tonight (8:00 p.m.) with an all-new show called “The Attic.” Tickets.
There are two more performances (one Saturday, one Sunday) of the St. Petersburg Opera Company’s family production Pinocchio. Find details and tickets here.
The human chorus – the hilarious British “pub musical” – remains in residence at the Jaeb Theatre, at the Straz Center. Tickets.
It’s the final weekend for the Jared Eberlein drama The heirs of pretense at Ybor City’s LAB Theater Project. Read all about it (and find tickets) at this link.
Also coming to a close with the Sunday matinee is Off-Central’s extraordinary production of Sartre No way out. Read all about it (and find tickets) at this link.
The monthly cycle of the experimental play White Rabbit Red Rabbit concludes this weekend with readings by five more artists at three locations. Read all about it (and find tickets) at this link.
The Weekend Arts Forecast appears every Thursday at Catalyst.
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