One of the perks to having the largest professional orchestra in the state based right here in Tampa Bay is the wide variety of high caliber concerts – from Bach to Queen to Disney. October also brings free music under the stars with Pops in the Park concerts in St. Petersburg and Tampa. Here are highlights:
Bernstein’s Broadway (Friday and Saturday, October 5-6, with Saturday matinee): Celebrate a century of an American original, Leonard Bernstein, with selections from West Side Story, Candide, On the Town and more. Michael Francis conducts, as part of the Raymond James Pops series. Plus, it is TFO’s first-ever Pride Weekend, with local groups who support the LGBTQ community in the lobby.
The Music of Queen (Friday, October 19 at Mahaffey in St. Pete) From Bohemian Rhapsody to Another One Bites the Dust, epic riffs blend with soaring strings — exactly how Queen’s greatest hits should be performed. Brent Havens conducts the orchestra and a full rock band, with fan favorite Brody Dolyniuk on vocals.
Free Pops in the Park (Saturday and Sunday, October20-21) – The orchestra’s most popular event draws nearly 20,000 to Vinoy Park on St. Petersburg’s waterfront every year, with a spectacular fireworks finale (October 20). An encore performance is October 21 at River Tower Park in Tampa (no fireworks). Whether you come with a date or the whole family, the music is just right. Features film scores, Broadway hits and symphonic favorites. Bring a blanket or chairs to sit on, and plenty of canned goods for Tampa Bay Harvest.
Evening at Bach’s Coffeehouse (Friday to Sunday, October 26-28): Go Baroque in an intimate evening with TFO’s strings, led by renowned conductor and harpsichord soloist Jeannette Sorrell. Featuring Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, plus works by Telemann and Vivaldi. Free tickets offered for kids and teens in advance in the Tampa Bay Times Masterworks series.
Disney in Concert: Tale as Old as Time (Friday to Sunday, November 2-4 with Saturday matinee): Be TFO’s guest for a magical journey into Disney, with music from Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Tangled, The Lion King and many more; enhanced with high-resolution film sequences. Stuart Malina conducts. Come dressed as your favorite Disney character.
TFO performs regularly at the Straz Center in Tampa, Mahaffey in St. Petersburg and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. It offers affordably priced tickets to a variety of concerts, prices vary. See floridaorchestra.org or call 727-892-3337 and 1-800-662-7286.
