Tarpon Springs Performing Arts 2007-08 schedule

By John Fleming, Times performing arts critic
Published August 19, 2007

A diverse mix of folk and world and classical music highlights the 2007-08 performing arts season in Tarpon Springs. Programs range from Iraqi oud player Rahim Alhaj to Scottish singer Emily Smith, from the Hasidic sounds of Pharaoh's Daughter to Zalmen Mlotek's Yiddish theater songs. There's a six-concert chamber music series that includes the Amernet String Quartet, pianist Leonidas Lipovetsky and the Czech Trio.

Last season, Century Opera embarked on Wagner's Ring cycle (sung in English) with The Rheingold, and this season the company will repeat that opera and press on with the next one in the cycle, The Valkyries. Gilbert and Sullivan operettas are also a theme of the season, with productions of Thespis and HMS Pinafore.

Returning favorites include the folk-dancing Tamburitzans of Duquesne University and the Samputu and Ingeli troupe from Rwanda. The Boys of the Lough will perform a Celtic Christmas show.

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THE SCHEDULE

Most performances are at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center (which doubles as City Hall), but there are also several at the Cultural Center, Safford House and the Heritage Museum. Information: (727) 942-5605; www.tarponarts.org.

Saturday: Music Out of a Hat, VOICExperience singers

Sept. 8: Mike Jurgensen and 2PM

Sept. 9: Academy Chorus Barbershop Singers

Sept. 14--23: Whodunnit by Anthony Shaffer

Sept. 30: Sara Buckley, soprano

Oct. 6: Siempre Flamenco

Oct. 7: Flamenco workshop

Oct. 13: Shana Banana family music show

Oct. 13-14: Wagner's The Rheingold (in English)

Oct. 18: Kevin Locke Native Dance Ensemble

Oct. 20: Rahim Alhaj, Iraqi oud musician

Oct. 26: La Muscagna, music of Spain

Nov. 2-18 Lerner & Loewe's Camelot

Nov. 8: Zalmen Mlotek, Yiddish sing-along

Nov. 15: Leonidas Lipovetsky, piano

Nov. 29-Dec 9: Gilbert and Sullivan's Thespis

Dec. 6-9: Safford House Candlelight Tour

Dec. 13: Boys of the Lough

Dec. 21-23: The Nutcracker by All-American Ballet School

Jan. 2-3: Tamburitzans

Jan. 12: Franzini Family Science and Astronomy Circus

Jan. 18: Cindy Mangsen and Steve Gillette, folk

Jan. 19: Jose White String Quartet

Jan. 24: Pharaoh's Daughter, world music

Jan. 26: Samputu and Ingeli, African music and dance

Feb. 1: Alex de Grassi, guitarist

Feb 8: Borealis Wind Quintet

Feb. 14-24: Kander and Ebb's And the World Goes 'Round

March 1: Louis Alvanis, pianist

March 7-16: Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore

March 8: Amernet String Quartet

March 14: Irish singer Tommy Sands

March 28: Emily Smith, Scottish music

March 30: Czech Trio

April 4: Chicago City Limits, comedy

April 6: Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival

April 25-May 4: Wagner's The Valkyries (in English)

[Last modified August 17, 2007, 16:37:59]