They're chosen from among thousands to study at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center before they make their big leap to opera stardom. But for Opera Tampa's seven apprentices, it's about more than performing. The program gives the singers a chance to use their powerful voices to enlighten an entire community. ...more

February 28, 2009

They're chosen from among thousands to study at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center before they make their big leap to opera stardom. But for Opera Tampa's seven apprentices, it's about more than just performing. The program gives the singers a chance to use their powerful voices to enlighten an entire community. ...more

February 26, 2009

The opera season opens this weekend at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, a situation that gave us yet another chance to contemplate the fact that we've never really given opera a chance. It's a mistake we plan to rectify. ...more

December 4, 2008

Jessica Davies wants to inspire children to dance. To that end, she has created a child-friendly production of the beloved holiday ballet "The Nutcracker" that emphasizes story as well as dance. ...more

December 3, 2008

Jessica Davies wants to inspire children to dance. To that end, she has created a child-friendly production of the beloved holiday ballet "The Nutcracker" that emphasizes story as well as dance. ...more

November 28, 2008

For the past five years, early on a certain Sunday evening every fall, the hallways bordering the Freedom Plaza Auditorium are suddenly filled with residents ostensibly waiting on elevators. People using the walking track surrounding the auditorium are simply standing still. There is no conversation, only rapt attention to sounds emanating from within the closed doors. ...more

October 8, 2008

On Monday, I went to meet candidates. I thought I knew everything about everything. I was wrong. There were political people there; there were people interested in the welfare of all of us. Andy Jackson admitted he/they might have done better. What he did not say is they could have done worse. Jeri Canale has knowledge of the county commissioner's job. Jeff Carlson has a political agenda that wants to cut, cut, cut. It is my opinion that we have been cut so much, we have been bled, to where we don't have blood to give to Red Cross. ...more

August 14, 2008