South Florida's creative jazz concert calendar is always a case of feast or famine, and there's usually more of a feast south of Palm Beach County. That's partly because there's a stronger jazz nightclub presence in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami areas than on the practically nonexistent West Palm Beach scene. And while the Kravis Center is every bit the equal of the performing … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2010-11: The season in books
The economy may still look scary, but for South Florida’s four major literary festivals, there will be no double-dip recession. Learning from last year’s challenges, each plans robust programs for the serious and casual book lover over the coming season. Take Miami Book Fair International (Nov. 14-21), the region’s oldest and biggest literary festival, and the first one on … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2010-11: The season in Miami-Broward art
Each fall, it is the labor of arts writers everywhere to forge connections between the many exhibits about to snap open and clamor for the eye’s attention. There is much excitement after many hot and slow months of student art shows and sweetly presented orchid photos at community centers. September marks the beginning of the real pageant, or so we write, the onslaught of … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2010-11: The season in opera
South Florida’s two chief opera companies mostly played it safe at the box office last season when it came to repertoire, with dueling productions of Bizet’s Carmen closing both companies’ offerings. But Palm Beach Opera and Florida Grand Opera also took some risks with staging, including a bold vision from Stefano Poda for Palm Beach of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and André Barbe … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2010-11: The season in theater
After a successful summer debut at the Kravis Center, Florida Stage unveils its first subscription season in the Rinker Playhouse, including several world premieres. Meanwhile, there is a new Miami company with its own troupe of actors, the Caldwell continues to dig out of its money woes with a second look at a Carbonell-winning show it is developing, the Maltz Jupiter cracks … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2010-11: The season in Palm Beach art
This coming art season is to art lovers what the 24-hour gym is to procrastinators: the end of the Excuse. If you typically shy away from museums out of fear of being bored to death, don’t. There’s plenty to choose from, which means something is bound to delight you. Museums are keeping the promise to have the usual rotation of shows. Although having diversity in their … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2010-11: The season in classical music
With the addition of a new performing arts center in southern Palm Beach County (and a major new hall on Miami Beach), the 2010-11 classical music season in South Florida looks a little stronger than it did last season, and that impression is fortified by the unusual fact of there being two performances each of major Romantic masterworks: The Verdi Requiem, and the Fifth … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2010-11: The season in dance
There’s dance in a variety of styles, stars and stripes this season. The mix runs from modern dance to Irish, contemporary ballet to tango, flamenco to Philippine. A dance fan can catch a Russian ballet classic—featuring a cast of Russians to the ballet born—then make tracks for really rad, cutting-edge dance theater. Incoming to South Florida are popular touring companies … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2010-11: The season in film
We are willing to look ahead at future film releases, but only as far as the end of the calendar year. Even then, the crystal ball gets fuzzy, as these release dates are highly likely to change as Hollywood strategizes and counter-programs. Nevertheless, there are bound to be Oscar nominees within these subjective picks of what will hit screens in the next three months … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2010-11: The season in pop music
There are more reasons than just abundant area classic rock radio for the popularity of veteran touring acts in South Florida. Baby boomers and their disposable incomes certainly factor into the retro stars' price-gouging ticket costs, but Sunshine State geography also literally has its place in the equation. Unlike most of the Lower 48, Florida is a cylindrical state. There's … [Read more...]