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.
---
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)