St. Augustine’s Romanza Festivale of MUSIC and The Arts returns in 2024 with two weeks of daily events

featuring dozens of concerts, shows, exhibits and much more at locations throughout the city. 

Showcasing productions by dozens of St. Augustine’s talented Arts and Cultural nonprofit organizations.

Most events are FREE!

Schedule:

May 3, 2024

12:00pm - 4:00pm - Reflections: 100 years of St. Augustine Artists

Bringing together the past and present, this exhibit will feature works from the St. Augustine Art Association’s Permanent Collection along with artwork by today’s artists. Works from the Plein Air Paint Out will also be featured, creating an irresistible artistic tapestry of the nation’s oldest city. An art collector’s delight! The Reflections Exhibit is on display both in-gallery (hours listed below) and online at any time from May 3 - June 2.

Location: St. Augustine Art Association, 22 Marine Street

5:00pm - 9:00pm - First Friday Art Walk

Join the Art Galleries of St. Augustine on the first Friday of every month for First Friday Art Walk from 5 - 9pm. Participating galleries open their doors to offer new art exhibits and receptions to the public making it the perfect time to support local artists or shop for gifts.

Location: St. Augustine Art Association, 22 Marine Street

7:30pm - ACT presents Couples - a Musical

Join us for a delightful musical production celebrating relationships directed by Cliff Parrish!

The fun begins with the first act, from the musical The Apple Tree, This comic look at the relationship troubles facing Adam and Eve is adapted from Mark Twain’s Extracts from Adam’s Diary. We have several ACT favorites for this production, including Jason Whitfield (Lullaby of Broadway, Cox and Box-Penelope Ann’s Revenge), Anna Vera (Silent Sky, Salon de Paris), and Dexter McDaniel (The Immigrant, The Lifespan of a Fact).

Location: The WaterWorks, 184 San Marco Ave

7:30pm - 9:00pm - Lisa Lockhart and Friends present “Duetti Deliziosi”

Delightful Duets from Opera, Operetta, Sacred and Secular Songs, Musical Theatre and More! Our own Lisa Lockhart is producing, directing and performing in her fifth consecutive program for Festivale. Other featured artists are Dirk Gavin McCoy, Emily Heumann and Jack Sumrall III.

Soprano Lisa Lockhart is frequently seen on opera and concert stages locally and throughout the US and abroad. Lisa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Boston Conservatory of Music and is a current Masters degree candidate in Music Performance/Music Education at Columbia University Teachers College. She has been an adjunct vocal professor at Florida State College in Jacksonville since 2021, maintains a thriving private studio and is often called upon to produce and/or musically direct productions, most recently serving as the music director for Annie Jr. at Fort Caroline Middle School for the Performing Arts.

Dirk Gavin McCoy, baritone, is a familiar face on St. Augustine stages, having most recently appeared with First Coast Opera in Copland’s America and The Stranger’s Tale. He has enjoyed singing in several Romanza events including the opera Trouble in Tahiti and the Lullaby of Broadway concert. Mr. McCoy has sung many operatic roles including Marcello in La Boheme, Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Guglielmo in Cosi Fan Tutti and the title role in Gianni Schicci.

Emily Heumann has gained recognition for her “delicious vocals” and “credible” storytelling through her singing. Emily is an alumna of the St. Petersburg Opera Company Emerging Artist Program and holds a Master’s Degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Houston and a Bachelor’s degree from Rollins College. Among her many roles across the country, recent highlights include performances as the alto soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas with Capella Nova and alto soloist in Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the St. Augustine Community Chorus.

Jack G. Sumrall III is an American conductor, tenor, composer and champion of new music. He has studied choral and orchestral conducting at Stetson University and completed his Master’s degree in that field at the University of North Florida. Mr. Sumrall has premiered several works by voice and also by baton and is currently an Academic Advisor at UNF for all music and fine arts students. His music is published by JW Pepper.

The above artists will be joined by Ms. Lockhart’s voice students: Elio Elhajj, who is currently pursuing an AA in Music at FSCJ; Daniel Holt, who is looking forward to working towards a music education degree at UNF; Carol Pearson Stocchi, a jazz lover currently expanding her repertoire into the classics; Ismaeli Rodriguez, who performed in last year’s Festivale and Ethan Walls, a member of the FSCJ Chorale and vocal ensembles.

The program will be accompanied on the piano by Ted Munn who holds a degree from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in sacred music. He has been the Director of Music and Worship at Avondale United Methodist church since 1998 and also serves as the accompanist for Voices of Jacksonville.

Location: Ancient City Baptist Church, 27 Sevilla St

May 04 2024

11:00 am - 12:00pm - Stories told by the Florida Storytelling Troupe

The beautiful lawn of the Ximenez Fatio House will be the setting for stories told by members of the Florida Storytelling Troupe: Kathy Kniery, Rose van Der Berg, Kathy Duffy, Margaret Kaler and David Fussell on Saturday, May 4 at 11 am.

Rose van der Berg is a dynamic storyteller and teaching artist who uplifts, amuses, and inspires all ages. Her stories explore the heart and humor of the human condition.

Kathy Kniery is a multi-talented storyteller who is spending her retirement years on two areas of interest: storytelling and storytelling-technology. As a folklorist, her catalog of stories includes historical figures, devils and demons, and feel-good characters.

Margaret Kaler has been telling tories about St. Augustine’s history since she worked in the Spanish Colonial Quarter in the late ’70s. She brings the past to life in her stories.

Kathy Duffy is a retired librarian who has found a new life through her interests in storytelling and medieval reenactments. Her storytelling repertoire ranges from lighthearted tales to grim and scary stories suitable for all audiences. She is an accomplished teller at festivals around the country.

David Fussell is a committed storyteller and humorist. From a deep love of his own Florida pioneer past, David spins yarns with wit, wisdom, humor, laughter and sometimes a sweet tear or two. He tell the tales that make history come alive.

Location: Ximenez-Fatio House Garden, 20 Aviles Street

12:00pm - 1:00pm - The North Florida Women’s Chorale presents “A Celtic Celebration”

Welcome to a program of lively Celtic music and singing! This concert will feature a variety of Gaelic songs which reflect a range of human emotions including love lost and won. The toe-tapping rhythms of the dance tunes are infectious and you will be captivated by many of the dance tunes sung by the 50-voice North Florida Women’s Chorale. The Chorale will be accompanied by traditional Celtic instruments - the fiddle, Celtic harp, guitar and drums.

The North Florida Women’s Chorale is conducted by Kerry Fradley, who has been the artistic director and conductor of the NFWC since 2006. Ms. Fradley has a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting from Georgia State University and has a keen interest in researching, promoting and performing beautiful choral music written especially for treble voices. She is also the chorus master for First Coast Opera and is a recent recipient of the ROWITA Award (Recognizing Outstanding Women in the Arts.

Location: Ancient City Baptist Church, 27 Sevilla St

3:00pm - 4:30pm - Key of Seas from Flagler College

Select members of Flagler College’s Key of Seas, an ensemble which focuses on the art form of Cabaret, will be performing on Saturday afternoon, May 4, at 3pm, in St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church. This audition ensemble performs a Cabaret show in the fall semester of each year, and sings primarily a cappella ensemble repertoire each spring semester. The performance at the Romanza Festival this year will be a collection of repertoire from the entire year.

Join the ensemble and guests in Voorhees Mission House after the concert for a social time to meet and greet the students.

Location: St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 37 Lovett St.

4:00pm - ACT presents Couples - a Musical

Join us for a delightful musical production celebrating relationships directed by Cliff Parrish!

The fun begins with the first act, from the musical The Apple Tree, This comic look at the relationship troubles facing Adam and Eve is adapted from Mark Twain’s Extracts from Adam’s Diary. We have several ACT favorites for this production, including Jason Whitfield (Lullaby of Broadway, Cox and Box-Penelope Ann’s Revenge), Anna Vera (Silent Sky, Salon de Paris), and Dexter McDaniel (The Immigrant, The Lifespan of a Fact).

Location: The WaterWorks, 184 San Marco Ave

7:30pm - 9:30pm - The EMMA Concert Association presents the St. Augustine Orchestra

The EMMA Concert Series presents the St. Augustine Orchestra on Saturday, May 4, 2024 in Lewis Auditorium from 7:30pm-9:30pm.

The concert is in conjunction with the Romanza Festivale of the Arts and features both classical and popular music from movies. More than 50 volunteer members will share their love of music.

St. Augustine Orchestra is one of St. Augustine’s longest running cultural entities. They’re a foundation of cultural, artistic and historic legacy in St. Augustine and St. Johns County.

Guided by the mission to expand awareness and music appreciation, the SAO approach is to provide quality live performances at an affordable cost to the community. They also provide outreach programs to seniors and youths, as well as offer educational opportunities to budding and prospective musicians.

Location: Lewis Auditorium, Flagler College

May 05 2024

2:00pm - 3:00pm - Atlas Project with Jordan and Micah Taylor

Join us for Sundays with SAMF! You are invited to experience traditional West African music, primarily from the Griot tradition of West Africa that dates back to the 12th century and native to the Mande Kingdom in this unique offering sponsored by the St. Augustine Music Festival. Jordan Taylor, guitar and Micah Taylor, cello will present this unique musical program on May 5. The Taylor brothers, who lived for 14 years in Ghana, have done comprehensive research into this traditional music, produced arrangements and recorded a series of three digital EPs that highlight different traditions. As the result of their deep love for the Ghanaian culture, Jordan founded the Ghana National Music Festival in 2015 to inspire Ghana’s youth towards a career path in music and foster international collaborations between American and Ghanaian artists.

Location: St. Augustine Art Association, 22 Marine Street

2:00pm - ACT presents Couples - a Musical

Join us for a delightful musical production celebrating relationships directed by Cliff Parrish!

The fun begins with the first act, from the musical The Apple Tree, This comic look at the relationship troubles facing Adam and Eve is adapted from Mark Twain’s Extracts from Adam’s Diary. We have several ACT favorites for this production, including Jason Whitfield (Lullaby of Broadway, Cox and Box-Penelope Ann’s Revenge), Anna Vera (Silent Sky, Salon de Paris), and Dexter McDaniel (The Immigrant, The Lifespan of a Fact).

Location: The WaterWorks, 184 San Marco Ave

6:30pm - 7:30pm - St. Johns Classical Guitar Ensemble

The St Johns Classical Guitar Ensemble is a community guitar ensemble that includes guitarists of all ages. The SJCGE is a performing group that includes members from the St Johns County area and beyond. The group performs a variety of styles of music from classical to popular arrangements for classical guitar ensemble and are coached and taught by Chuck Rogers.

Location: The WaterWorks, 184 San Marco Ave

May 06 2024

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Chamber Music Series: The Florida Chamber Music Project

The members of The Florida Chamber Music Project (FCMP) are representatives of the amazing string sections of the Jacksonville Symphony. The quartet, widely praised for its musicality and technically flawless performances is comprised of violinists Igor Khukhua and Patrice Evans, violist Susan Pardue and cellist, Laurie D. Casseday. Mr. Khukhua, a native of Siberia, began winning prizes for his expertise on the violin at age 8. In 2016, while a member of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, he came to the United States to study music at Park University. He became a member of the Jacksonville Symphony in 2022. Violinist Patrice Evans studied with members of the Cleveland Orchestra at an early age, won a full tuition scholarship in violin to FSU and joined the JSO in 1989. Susan Pardue, violist, earned a master’s degree at the Juilliard School and is the founder and artistic director of the Florida Chamber Music Project. Cellist Laurie Casseday hails from Atlanta where she began cello studies at the age of eight. She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and also earned a Masters Degree from Georgia State University. Laurie has been a member of JSO since 1986.

Location: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 32 Sevilla Street

7:30pm - 8:45pm - Voices of Jacksonville in Concert

Voices of Jacksonville is the adult professional ensemble of the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus and is dedicated to increasing the awareness, appreciation and esteem of choral music through performance, outreach, and education. Conducted by JCC’s Artistic Director, Darren Dailey, and other invited guest conductors such as Rollo Dilworth, Henry Leck and more, the ensemble delivers professional, musical performances in every outing.. The best professional singers are sought as members of Voices of Jacksonville so that the highest level of professional choral performances are achieved.

Location: Ancient City Baptist Church, 27 Sevilla St.

May 07 2024

7:30pm - 9:00pm - Kaleidoscope of Dance

Romanza Festivale celebrates local dancers on Tuesday, May 7, at 7:30pm when Kaleidoscope of Dance takes the stage at Lewis Auditorium. This year’s emcee is Bill McClure who will enhance the audience’s perception of each dance as he transitions the program from dance to dance.

Location: Lewis Auditorium

May 08 2024

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Chamber Music Series: “An Afternoon of Encores”

Michael Clark, a native of Abingdon, Virginia, taught and performed at colleges in Tennessee and Florida, where he served as Music Coordinator, teaching courses including piano, organ, music theory and sight singing. He was also the musical director for over fifty productions as well as arranging and recording soundtracks, composing and serving as musical consultant for over a dozen more. Michael was also involved in Florida’s State Play “Cross and Sword” for two seasons as the musical director. In addition, Mr. Clark has served as interim and substitute organist and/or choir director for several area churches, including an appointment as interim principal organist at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine.

Location: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 32 Sevilla Street

1:00pm - 2:00pm - The Tale Tellers present “Stories from Florida’s Past”

The Tale Tellers of St Augustine will be telling historical stories at the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Courtyard on Wednesday,May 8, 2024 at 1pm. Storytelling is alive and well in St. Augustine and you won’t want to miss these gifted communicators of Florida history. The Tale Tellers in this program are Kathy Kniery, Drew Sappington, Natalie Beltrami, David Fussell and Kathy Duffy.

Location: St. Augustine Historical Research Library, Aviles Street

2:00pm - 3:00pm - “Oldest City Tales: They Keep Coming!”

The Three Tellers are happy to be together again at The Waterworks Cultural Center for another rendition of their Oldest City Tales. They first appeared during the 2015 Romanza Festivale of Culture and the Arts.

Location: The Waterworks, 184 San Marco Ave.

7:30pm - 9:00pm - HEADLINER: Duo Arpeggione - Relationship Failure

Dr.Catherine Lan, pianist and Dr. Claudio Jaffe, cellist, are presenting a program entitled Relationship Failure. This unique offering begins with the premise that not all couples and siblings have great relationships. Duo Arpeggione presents two works for piano and cello which reflect two failed connections. Edvard Grieg tells the story of two brothers who no longer speak to each other and David Popper recounts the moment his marriage fell apart. Cellist Claudio Jaffe and pianist Catherine Lan bring those musical stories to life with virtuosity, passion, humor and sensitivity in a program you don’t want to miss. The program will also include ultra romantic works by American Arthur Foote, a Harvard graduate and the first noted American classical composer to be trained entirely in the U.S.

Location: The WaterWorks, 184 San Marco Ave.

May 09 2024

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Chamber Music Series: Tenor John Daugherty

John Daugherty continues a busy schedule of opera, song recitals and oratorio, performing repertoire drawn from a wide array of genres and styles. Recent stage roles include Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Joseph de Rocher in Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, The King in Davies’ Eight Songs for a Mad King, and Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette. In the concert hall, he has had appearances with the Albany Symphony, for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and for Michigan Opera Theater.

A proponent of new music, John created the leading role of John Thomas in the world premier of Jules Pegram’s award winning opera Higher Ground. Previously, John had performed as the baritone vocalist with the Tulsa Camerata in the world premier of Michael Daugherty’s This Land Sings, a role which he then recorded for the Naxos Records label.

Location: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 32 Sevilla Street

7:30pm - 9:00pm - Mama Blue on the Markland Porch

Returning to Romanza is like coming home for Mama Blue! The Jacksonville native has planted seeds in St. Augustine, and the musical fruit is sweet! Choosing to take “a road less traveled,” by keeping close to her roots and community, she has blazed a “Heartfelt Highway”, with original music, emboldened by sharing her vulnerabilities and ours.

Mama Blue was voted Best of the Beaches Female Vocalist in 2020 and is one of Romanza’s perennial favorites!

Location: Markland House Lawn, 102 King Street

May 10 2024

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Chamber Music Series: Belle Fleur Ensemble

The Belle Fleur Ensemble: Glynda Newton, violin, Cliff Newton, trumpet and Michael Dell, piano have collaborated in many different ensembles and genres of music and will present a chamber music concert on Friday, May 10. Cliff and Glynda are married and have enjoyed a long musical career together performing many varied musical programs. Glynda retired from the violin section of the Jacksonville Symphony in 2017 after performing with her colleagues for 39 years. Cliff Newton retired from the Jacksonville Symphony after 32 years as principal trumpet. In addition to an active performance career, he has been a member of the NORAD Band in Colorado Springs and an instructor of trumpet in local universities. He and Glynda are active members of Newton Musical’s Palm Court Society Orchestra, a true Salon Orchestra.

Location: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 32 Sevilla Street

3:00pm - 4:00pm - Madeline Martin, Author - a Wine and Cheese Event

Madeline Martin is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance with books that have been translated into over twenty-five different languages

Location: Voorhees Mission House, St. Cyprians Episcopal Church, ML King and Lovett St

7:30pm - ACT presents Couples - a Musical

Join us for a delightful musical production celebrating relationships directed by Cliff Parrish!

The fun begins with the first act, from the musical The Apple Tree, This comic look at the relationship troubles facing Adam and Eve is adapted from Mark Twain’s Extracts from Adam’s Diary. We have several ACT favorites for this production, including Jason Whitfield (Lullaby of Broadway, Cox and Box-Penelope Ann’s Revenge), Anna Vera (Silent Sky, Salon de Paris), and Dexter McDaniel (The Immigrant, The Lifespan of a Fact).

Location: The WaterWorks, 184 San Marco Ave.

7:30pm - 9:00pm - HEADLINER: Linda Cole Sings and Swings!

At age 3, Linda Cole, of the Cole Family Dynasty, began singing with her father and mother, James (relative of Nat King Cole) and Erma (sister to Globe Trotter Deacon Davis) Cole in Freeport, Illinois. In the following years, as the family added six more singing Cole children, Linda became instrumental in the formation of the “Singing Cole Family” known throughout central United States. The “Singing Cole Family” was honored by the Illinois History magazine in 1963 and 1965.

Location: First United Methodist Church.

May 11 2024

5:00pm - 6:30pm - Third Space Improv presents Unscripted Comedy

The Adventure Project will present Unscripted Comedy at Third Space Improv on Saturday, May 11 at 5pm. In this two-part unscripted adventure, audience members will participate by offering improv actors suggestions to inspire games, scenes and even a completely “made-up-on-the-spot” one-act play. This theatrical experience has never been performed before and will never be performed again. Don’t miss this one-time opportunity to see a show where no one knows the lines!

Location: Third Space Improv

7:30pm - ACT presents Couples - a Musical

Join us for a delightful musical production celebrating relationships directed by Cliff Parrish!

The fun begins with the first act, from the musical The Apple Tree, This comic look at the relationship troubles facing Adam and Eve is adapted from Mark Twain’s Extracts from Adam’s Diary. We have several ACT favorites for this production, including Jason Whitfield (Lullaby of Broadway, Cox and Box-Penelope Ann’s Revenge), Anna Vera (Silent Sky, Salon de Paris), and Dexter McDaniel (The Immigrant, The Lifespan of a Fact).

Location: The WaterWorks, 184 San Marco Ave

7:30pm - 9:00pm - “Sing On”: celebrating 75 Years of Song with the St. Augustine Community Chorus

The Saint Augustine Community Chorus has been performing choral music in St. Augustine and St. Johns County since 1948. Quality and distinctive presentations of musical compositions are anticipated by audiences every year. This 75th anniversary year’s celebration will culminate in the Masterworks Concert on May 11. The chorus will premier their commissioned work by composer Z. Randall Stroope, A New Constellation. Mr. Stroope will be in attendance to hear the chorus sing his composition. The program is titled “Sing On!” as the chorus embarks on their next 75 years. The Chorus is conducted by Michael Sanflippo with Shannon McKay as accompanist. The concert will be presented in The Cathedral Basilica.

Location: The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

May 12 2024

2:00pm - ACT presents Couples - a Musical

Join us for a delightful musical production celebrating relationships directed by Cliff Parrish!

The fun begins with the first act, from the musical The Apple Tree, This comic look at the relationship troubles facing Adam and Eve is adapted from Mark Twain’s Extracts from Adam’s Diary. We have several ACT favorites for this production, including Jason Whitfield (Lullaby of Broadway, Cox and Box-Penelope Ann’s Revenge), Anna Vera (Silent Sky, Salon de Paris), and Dexter McDaniel (The Immigrant, The Lifespan of a Fact).

Location: The WaterWorks, 184 San Marco Ave

4:00pm - 6:00pm - HEADLINER: The Count Basie Orchestra

The St. Johns Cultural Council and Romanza St. Augustine present:

Don’t miss this very special performance by the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra - winner of the 2024 GRAMMY for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album - at Lewis Auditorium, Flagler College. The orchestra is directed by Scotty Barnhart with guest vocalist Carmen Bradford.

Since Basie’s passing in 1984, Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Grover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, Dennis Mackrel, and now Scotty Barnhart, have led the Count Basie Orchestra and maintained it as one of the elite performing organizations in Jazz.

Location: Lewis Auditorium, Flagler College

6:30pm - 8:00pm - Arts and Crafts (Beers) at Artbox 137

Join us at Artbox 137 (after listening to the Count Basie Orchestra) for a celebration of Art, Music and Beer that will engage all your senses.

As a mixed-use destination gallery and creative space, Artbox 137 has become a popular location for events and fine art.

Patrick Robinson, our Beer Host and Cicerone Certified Beer Server, is the founder of St. Augustine Brewery Tours and has a special pairing menu of sips and bites which will introduce the flavors of local craft breweries.

Location: Artbox 137

May 13 2024

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Chamber Music: Raquel Rubi, Soprano with Harmonie Coalesce

Raquel Rubi, a soprano and native of Havana, completed studies in piano and composition with composer Harold Gramatges at Havana’s Instituto Superior de Arte and studied voice with soprano, Maria Eugenia Barrios.

Location: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 32 Sevilla Street

6:30pm - 7:30pm - Lincolnville Live: Two to Tango with Jonathan Dotson

St. Augustine native, Dr. Jonathan Dotson, presents a concert of duets with notable local musicians in a fiery display of virtuosity and musicianship. Jacksonville’s favorite piano man, Tom Bennett, will accompany selections from Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez” as you’ve never heard it before. Flutist Kathleen James, an alumnus of the St. Augustine Music Festival will perform Tangos and Habaneras for flute and guitar by Astor Piazzolla (Argentina) and Maurice Ravel (France). The final set will feature Rumbas and Tangos with local guitar virtuoso Dennis Fermin.

Location: St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 37 Lovett St.

May 14 2024

6:30pm - 7:30pm - Lincolnville Live presents the North Florida Saxophone Quartet

Comprised of two women and two men, this quartet reflects reflects musical backgrounds and experience that cover much of the map of the world. All four musicians have performed in a variety of diverse musical ensembles but have made performing in this group a priority.

Their main specialty is a mix of audience-friendly music, most specifically arranged for this ensemble. From Bach to Disney and far beyond, audiences find themselves totally engaged. In addition to informative introductory announcements, quizzes are often added to test the knowledge of the listeners.

Each member also performs professionally on other instruments such as flute, clarinet, bassoon, or oboe and might be found in symphony orchestras, a pit orchestra of a Broadway show or in traditional swing big bands.

Location: St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 37 Lovett St

May 15 2024

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Chamber Music Series: the 9B Quartet

The 9B Woodwind Quartet was founded in 2020 by Jeff Ackerman with the goal of preserving and performing woodwind chamber music of all genres and musical eras. 9B is composed of four musicians from the North Florida area who have diverse musical experiences and backgrounds. They perform many community concerts throughout the year in venues in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine area and are all members of the St. Augustine Orchestra.

Location: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 32 Sevilla Street

7:30pm - 9:00pm - Isabelle Scott, Harpist with Inspirare!

Isabelle Scott, a harpist based in Northeast Florida, recently completed her master’s degree in harp performance at Florida State University where she was a student of Dr. Noel Wan and the graduate assistant for the harp studio. Ms. Scott completed her bachelor’s degree in instrumental performance at the University of Miami in 2022. As an orchestral harpist, she served during her high school years as harpist with the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Jacksonville University Orchestra and recently has been a substitute harpist for the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and the Coastal Symphony. Ms. Scott made her solo debut with the University Philharmonia as the winner of FSU’s Young Artist Competition in 2023.

Ms. Scott’s program will feature solo works as well as a collaboration with Inspirare!, a Women’s Ensemble conducted by Ms. Kerry Fradley. Inspirare! is an auditioned group of treble singers who enjoy meeting to sing challenging and beautiful music. Members are: Beth Forby, Laura Weiss, Barbara Mielke, Linda Roeser, Mary Kaschub, Monica Hagar, Laurie Keller, Janet Landers, Linda Hickernell, Vera Gallagher, Greer Sullivan and Jan Larson. Their selections include “Four Songs for Women’s Chorus, Two Horns and Harp”, Opus 17 by Brahms and “Two Eastern pictures from a poem of Kalidasa.

Location: The Waterworks, 184 San Marco Ave.

May 16 2024

7:30pm - 8:30pm - World Music with Yael ZaZa Flamenca

Yael, a French / Israeli singer, musician, actress and composer will give her amazing concert at the Sons of Israel Temple on Thursday, May 16 at 7:30 pm. Yael performs progressive music influenced by Gypsy Jazz, French music, Flamenco and Latin Vibes. She plays music from all over the world, singing in ten different languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Russian and Hebrew.

Yael ZaZa Flamenca was the opening Act of the Latin Grammy Winner Leo Dan, performing in the biggest venues across United States: Microsoft in Los Angeles, B.B.King in New York, Howard Theatre in Washington D.C, Coliseum Theatre in Austin.

Yael graduated as a Master of Jazz Music at Queens College in 2014 and has performed Internationally in France, Israel, Russia, Brazil, Argentina.

Don’t miss her incredible show at the Sons of Israel Temple on May 16 at 7:30 pm.

Location: Sons of Israel Temple

May 17 2024

12:00pm - 1:00pm - First Coast Opera – “The Stranger’s Tale”

First Coast opera will present “The Stranger’s Tale”, an opera examining the issue of homelessness and the stigma experienced by those it affects. The one hour performance will take place at Ancient City Baptist Church in St. Augustine on Friday, May 10, at 12 noon as part of the Chamber Music Series of Romanza Festivale of Arts and Culture.

A story of faith and hope, “The Stranger’s Tale” examines modern homelessness through music and drama. Set around a park bench, this one-act opera centers on an unnamed man who is apparently experiencing homelessness. His interactions, sometimes unwanted, uplift other park goers who encounter him. Are the effects accidental, coincidental, or divine? According to Tucker, “that is for the audience to decide”.

The opera features an original libretto by Nelson Sheeley and music by FCO Artistic Director, Curtis Tucker. This project is funded in part by the Romanza Festivale of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Location: Ancient City Baptist Church, 27 Sevilla St.

3:00pm - 4:00pm - An Afternoon Visit with Elizabeth Randall, Author

Acclaimed author, Elizabeth Randall is a widely published freelance writer who has written six non-fiction books and one fiction mystery/thriller: Fire is the Test of Gold. She is also a retired English teacher with a Master’s degree in English Education. Currently, she is an adjunct instructor of English composition at seminole State College in Sanford while completing her eighth book about Florida: Secret St. Augustine.

Location: St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 37 Lovett St.

7:30pm - 9:00pm - The St. Augustine Concert Band presents “IMAGINATION”

Once again, the St. Augustine Concert Band will entertain their audience with a delightful concert entitled “IMAGINATION”. This, their final concert of this season will feature some of the most powerful, thought-provoking, moving and enjoyable concert band literature ever composed. The Band will take the audience on a journey which will allow them to feel and experience their own emotion, power and meaning of each composition. The program features works of some of the finest composers working today including Randall Standridge, Todd Salter, Rossano Galante, Brian Balmages and Dakota Peterson.

Location: R.J. Murray Middle School, 150 N Holmes Blvd.

7:30pm - 9:00pm - HEADLINER: Con Brio String Quartet in Concert

Join us for a Chamber Music Concert where all the nuances of string instruments will be heard. This concert will take the audience on a fantastic musical journey which will feature the works of some of the world’s greatest composers. Con Brio is an internationally acclaimed string quartet and features the talents of Valentin Mansurov, Marina Lenau, David Pedraza and Aziz Sapaev. Individually, these performers have won numerous awards but together, Con Brio brings string music to new heights with their skill, passion and energy. Based in Southeast Florida, the members perform with the Palm Beach Symphony, the Florida Grand Opera and the Symphony of the Americas.

Location: First United Methodist Church

May 18 2024

4:30pm - 5:30pm - FloArts Students Celebrate Musicals

This concert, produced by Romanza Festivale, will feature students from Florida School of the Arts, the state’s first 2-year program dedicated to intensive instruction in fine arts, dance, theater technology, acting and musical theater.

From the great classics of the golden age to new rave sensations by composers like Jason Robert Brown, there will be something for everyone to enjoy, all performed by the aspiring young professionals from Florida School of the Arts. The music will be selected from Broadway favorites everyone loves.

Location: Center for Spiritual Living, 1795 Old Moutrie Rd.

7:30pm - 9:00pm - HEADLINER: Luca Ciarla, Italian Violinist

A creative and surprising violinist, Luca Ciarla easily transcends the boundaries among genres to trace an innovative musical path, a magical acoustic seduction in perfect balance between written compositions and improvisation, traditional and contemporary sounds. He has successfully performed in jazz, classical and world music festivals and concert series in almost 70 countries in the world; from Montreal Jazz Festival to the Hong Kong Performing Arts Centre, from Celtic Connections in Scotland to the Villa-Lobos Festival in Rio de Janeiro, from Melbourne Jazz Festival to the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Italy. “…one of the most interesting violinists nowadays on the international scene, capable of browsing around different sounds and genres without ever losing his unmistakable style.” la Repubblica (Italy)

Location: Trinity Episcopal Parish Sanctuary

May 19 2024

6:30pm - 8:00pm - FESTIVALE FINALE: Bold City Brass in Concert

Bold City Brass, founded in 1980 in Jacksonville, Florida, is proud to bring quality music to the First Coast and beyond. Membership in the ensemble draws upon musicians from across Northeast Florida and is comprised of professional musicians, retired music teachers and other fine players. From its inception, the band has been a volunteer group, performing in concert and often in support of other organizations at a variety of events and official functions. The collective spirit of the band is based on the simple joy of making good music together.

Bold City Brass has modeled itself after a variety of brass bands, including British brass bands, historic brass ensembles and traditional brass ensembles which used historic valved instruments from the Civil War era. Currently, all musicians perform on contemporary brass instruments.

Under the direction of conductor, Dr. ErIc A. Becher, Bold City Brass has expanded its repertoire to include music from a variety of genres and periods. The group’s mission is to continue the tradition of quality brass band performance which will then engage the community’s interest through providing inspiring concerts and music education programs.

Location: Plaza de la Constitución, 170 St George St

Date: May 3-19, 2024

Location: Various locations in Saint Augustine, FL

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