Labor Day doesn't mean the end of summer in Florida, but it does mean that things are starting to pick up on the local entertainment scene. So it's a good time to make a few adjustments to our listings.
By Times Staff
Published September 9, 2004
-- Concerts, regardless of genre, will be listed together in the Music section.
In the past, we have been separating pop music (rock, country, jazz, blues) from orchestral music, opera - in general, the "serious" stuff. But increasingly, many performers simply can't be plugged into those categories.
How, for instance, do you pigeonhole the Florida Orchestra when it manages to get Mozart and Motown onto one program, as it did at a benefit in May starring Ben E. King, shown above with associate conductor Susan Haig? Or when it performs with K.D. Lang or Olivia Newton-John? Violinist Lara St. John worked synthesizer and electric bass into her latest Bach recording. Is sitar master Ravi Shanker a pop or classical musician?
And what about the experimental music at the EMIT Series and BONK Festival?
So we're tearing down the wall. Do not fear: We'll continue to give you all the information you need to find the music you love. You may even discover something new.
-- Major comedy acts will be listed in the Stage section.
For years, we've put comedy clubs in the Night Spots listings, along with the rest of the night clubs. But the local comedy clubs often get big-name acts such as Dave Chappelle and Kevin Pollak, and the performing arts centers book stars such as Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Cosby, all commanding serious ticket prices. So you will now find those performances, along with plays, dance and revues, in the Stage listings.
We're always looking for ways to help readers navigate the hundreds of entertainment options listed in Weekend, and welcome your thoughts at weekend@sptimes.com
