Classical Guitar Master (and Beach Boys Fan) Angel Romero to Play with the Imperial Symphony

Nov 8, 2018 at 2:00 pm

If you’re a teenager from Spain who has been in California for only a few years, and you’re a prodigy on the classical guitar, and it’s the early 1960s, whose music do you listen to? Why, the Beach Boys, of course.

Now the unusual and enduring friendship between Sir Angel Romero – recognized as one of the greatest classical guitarists of his generation – and the ultimate California surf band has led in roundabout fashion to Romero’s engagement as a soloist with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday. More

A & E

Live Music in Lakeland

Nov 8, 2018 at 10:18 am

We’re going to start our music roundup with a couple of orchestral maneuvers. Grammy-winning guitarist Angel Romero fronts the Imperial Symphony Orchestra Tuesday performing the revered “Concierto de Aranjuez.” On Sunday, film composer Joseph DeBeasi returns to Lakeland to conduct pieces he composed for Southeastern University’s Veterans Day “Sinfonia” concert at the Polk Theatre. More

A & E/ Downtown

Crews Begin Installing Tapestry Murals

Nov 8, 2018 at 7:02 am Fox 13 News

The first of more than 60 tapestries by local artists have been installed on buildings in central Lakeland.
ALSO: First-day installation photo gallery

A & E/ Neighborhoods

65 Tapestries Seen as Transition to Murals in Lakeland

Nov 5, 2018 at 12:58 pm Bay News 9

David Collins, who organized the drive to place 65 tapestries on buildings throughout Central Lakeland, sees the project as a transition toward eventually having more murals, as other cities do.

A & E

Gallery: Tapestries Going Up in Central Lakeland

Nov 4, 2018 at 8:14 am Instagram: Meredith Pope

In an Instagram gallery, Meredith Pope previews many of the 60 tapestries that will be placed on buildings in Dixieland, downtown and midtown in coming weeks. They were displayed at a reception Friday night at Haus 820 and ART/ifact Studios.

View this post on Instagram

Just a few shots from the #TapestriesLakeland reception hosted by @lkldwa. It was so amazing to see all of the #murals in one spot before they become #publicart. . . . . #art #artist #outdoorart #artlife #painting #lkld #lovelakeland #florida #lakeland #mural @artifact_studios @massmarketlkld

A post shared by Meredith Pope (@mpopeart) on Nov 2, 2018 at 6:35pm PDT

A & E/ Neighborhoods

60 Tapestries Will Be Unveiled Tonight

Nov 2, 2018 at 12:30 pm

Sixty tapestries created by local artists to be placed on buildings in downtown, Dixieland and midtown will be on view for the first time tonight at a “VIP opening” at Haus 820. The photos below by David Dickey show organizer David Collins and artist James Hicks preparing for the event. Collins is working to overcome delays in getting some of the tapestries hung on buildings caused by the diversion of workers to Hurricane Michael recovery in North Florida.

A & E

Live Music in Lakeland This Weekend

Nov 1, 2018 at 8:01 am

Cooler weather will make Saturday a great day to stroll around Art Crawl in Munn Park and check out innovative artists — both visual and musical. Musicians include Revel in the View, Stefani LeBarre and Victoria Longoria (isn’t that a great name?) And for something soothing: classical mandolin at Midday Meditations Friday; Rafael Ramirez, principal violinist for the ISO, performs at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 11:30. And here’s the rest of the music calendar: More

A & E

Actors Defend Controversial Pre-Rocky Horror Skit

Oct 29, 2018 at 10:14 pm Bay News 9

The actors who played President Trump and Hillary Clinton in a skit that included a mock assassination stood by their act several days after it sparked online controversy and an apology from the Polk Theatre (previous article.) The skit was part of the pre-show at Friday night’s Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience. Many thought the assassination theme was in poor taste. Actor Ashley Khole Panic, who played Clinton, said on Facebook, “I’m not sorry, and I shouldn’t have to censor my art.” Actor Nichole Stone, who played Trump, told Bay News 9, “Nowhere in the lyrics did we actually say to go out and kill the president or go out and kill anybody.”

A & E

Pre-Show Skit Draws Apology from Polk Theatre

Oct 28, 2018 at 11:07 am

An on-stage depiction of a presidential assassination on Friday night has drawn an apology from the Polk Theatre and a firestorm of Facebook controversy focused on prudence and taste vs. free expression and the use of art to provoke. People who attended said the skit showed a masked character stabbing President Trump.

A Facebook post from The Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience said that the pre-show skit was unaffiliated with both the Polk Theatre and the Lipstick Players, who produce the on-stage shadow production during the annual screening of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Posts from two individuals said the same thing.

“Our event is open and inclusive to everyone no matter their political views and our goal is to provide the best show experience. We do not agree nor condone any actions of violence toward anyone,” the Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience wrote. “The depiction on the stage last evening was distasteful and inappropriate.”

Here’s the Polk Theatre’s post. Click on it to read the many comments it generated:

A & E

Live Music in Lakeland This Weekend

Oct 25, 2018 at 10:07 am

The weekend starts with a quiet bang tonight as Colorado-based singer-songwriter Rebecca Folsom brings her stories and songs of inspiration to Satya Life Yoga and Joe Gavin coaxes intricate, otherworldly melodies from his guitar at Hillcrest Coffee. On Saturday, rocking blues guitarist Sean Chambers introduces his 7th album, “Welcome to My Blues,” at the Music Ranch. The music calendar follows: More