It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing, right? Life is better with festivals, too.
By LOGAN NEILL
Published September 24, 2004
Summer is over, and calendars are quickly filling up with local events and entertainment.
In August, the Steppin' Out page featured the 2004-05 seasons for several area theaters.
Today, we present schedules for orchestras, performing arts guilds and other groups that present musical entertainment. At the end is a list of festival and special events through the end of the year.
Some organizations have not yet completed their planning, so keep checking this page for weekly updates.
HERNANDO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The orchestra has its concerts at the Springstead Theatre, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill, and at the Hernando High School Performing Arts Center, 700 Bell Ave., Brooksville. Individual performances are $10. Season tickets are $27. Call 683-4404 for information.
The season opens with "Holiday Traditions" shows at 2 p.m. Nov. 28 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at Springstead and at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Hernando.
The orchestra's second concert series, "Salute to Our Nation," will feature French horn soloist Elaine Chipurn. Shows are 2 p.m. Feb. 20 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Springstead and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at Hernando.
The season closes with "Hernando Pops," featuring soloist Tony Chipurn on trombone, and winners of the orchestra's annual Young Artist Competition. Shows are 7:30 p.m. April 16 and 2 p.m. April 17 at Hernando and 7:30 p.m. April 19 at Springstead.
HERNANDO JAZZ SOCIETY
Concerts are at 1:30 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month at SNPJ Lodge 778, 13383 County Line Road, Spring Hill. Admission is $5 for nonmembers. Light refreshments are available. Call 596-8555.
Oct. 10: Open membership jam session
Nov. 14: Barry Nelson All-Stars
Dec. 12: Christmas jam session
Jan. 16: Barry Nelson Big Band
Feb. 13: Valentine dance
March 13: Open membership jam session
April 10: Hudson Middle School jazz band
May 15: Open membership jam session
HERNANDO PERFORMING ARTS GUILD
Performances are at 7 p.m. at the Hernando High School Performing Arts Center, 700 Bell Av., Brooksville. Individual shows are $18. Season tickets are $60. For information, call 799-5577.
Nov. 13: Smokey Joe's Cafe
Jan. 14: Patsy Cline, starring Leanne Williams with Charley Raymond
Feb. 5: Steve Soloman with Carol Stein
March 18: The Lowe Family
COMMUNITY PERFORMING ARTS GUILD
Concerts are at 3 and 7 p.m. at Mariner United Methodist Church, 7079 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Tickets are free and are distributed in advance. Donations are taken at the performances to pay for future shows. Call 596-9263 for information. Season subscriptions are $50, or $100 for a couple. For information about subscriptions, call 544-1068 or 596-6143.
Oct. 23: Melodies of Broadway
Nov. 6: Paul Todd, keyboard artist
Jan. 8: Martin Preston as Liberace
Jan. 21: Glen Draper Singers
Feb. 5: Hector Olivera (subscribers-only show at 3 p.m.).
Feb. 26: Tampa Bay Heralds of Harmony chorus
March 12: Tom Walsh and the Indiana Jazz Quintet
March 19: Eckerd Concert Choir and Eckerd Ringers
PASCO-HERNANDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
Shows are at 2 p.m. Saturdays at the PHCC Performing Arts Center, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey. Individual shows are $13 to $17; any five shows are $64 to $72; any seven shows, $87 to $98; and all 10 shows, $120 to $135.
Season tickets are available only for Sections 2-7, not the portable floor seats. Group rates are available.
Tickets are sold at the West Campus Bookstore in New Port Richey from 10 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; by phone at (727) 816-3707 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays; and at the center box office before each show.
Nov. 20: Tribute to the Platters (Only You, Harbor Lights, The Great Pretender).
Dec. 11: 42nd Street Band's Tribute to Mel Torme and a Christmas Show
Jan. 15: Joann Castle, ragtime and honky-tonk piano
Jan. 29: A Tribute to Patsy Cline by Leanne Williams
Feb. 5: The Sounds of Harry James and the Andrews Sisters, with Charly Raymond
Feb. 12: 42nd Street Band's Tribute to Bobby Darin by Gary Edwards
Feb. 19: Nunsense, a musical comedy
Feb. 26: The River Rats, musical variety and comedy show
March 19: Jack Greene and Candi Carpenter, country music
March 26: The Lowe Family from Branson, Mo., singing bluegrass to Bach to Broadway
ARIPEKA ELKS
Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520 is at 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson. All shows are on Saturdays. Dinner is at 6, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Prime seats are $22; general seating is $20, tax included. Reservations are required and may be made in the secretary's office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Call (727) 868-2994, ext. 14.
Oct. 2: The Robin Roth One-Woman Show
Nov. 13: Hollywood on Tour
Dec. 11: A Tribute to Liberace, starring Martin Preston
Jan. 15: The Shenanigans
Feb. 19: New Orleans Meets Tin Pan Alley, starring Hopkins and Miller and a live band
March 12: The Lowe Family
THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA
Performances are at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge, Town Center Road, New Port Richey, at 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $63 to $72 for all three concerts or $21.50 to $26.50 for individual ones. Call 813 286-2403 or toll-free 1-800-662-7286 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Buy online at www.floridaorchestra.org and click on "Sunday Matinee."
Oct. 24: The French Connection, Susan Haig, conductor, featuring Anna Kate Mackle on harp
Dec. 5: "Tis the Season for Colorful Music! Kathrine Weintraub on alto saxophone
April 10: Season Highlights, with Stefan Sanderling, conductor, and Amy Schwartz Moretti on violin
FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Oct. 8-10: 27th Hernando County Barbecue and Rodeo Festival, Hernando County Airport
