Let Us Entertain You

Published by julia | Filed under Miscellaneous, Pinellas County Homes, Real Estate, Shout Outs

Pinellas county residents and visitors have an almost overwhelming choice of music and performing arts options. If you are looking for musical or theatrical entertainment, below are a few of the many choices available to you:

Vinoy Park is located in downtown St. Petersburg and is often the site of music and art festivals throughout the year and has a beautiful view of the bay. In addition, the park’s location leaves you with several recreational options. The St. Pete Pier, Baywalk, North Shore Park, and the Renaissance Vinoy Resort are all within walking distance.   Events held at the park include: Ribfest, Tampa Bay Blues Festival, Mainsail Arts Festival, Race for the Cure, Taste of Pinellas, and the Pirate Festival

Jannus Landing Courtyard is arguably one of the best and oldest outdoor music venues in Florida. They bring live music to the Bay area in an intimate setting with a capacity of approximately 1500 patrons, an outdoor courtyard enveloped by the Detroit Hotel, a liquor store and additional establishments all serve as the staging and viewing area for musical acts.

The State Theatre is built on a foundation that came straight out of the Tampa Bay music scene. The historic building on St. Pete’s Central Avenue has housed the sounds of legendary national acts and many popular local bands have played there. The State Theatre is a medium sized venue with 5 full bars and a VIP balcony seating area.

American Stage, Tampa Bay’s longest running professional theatre, produces contemporary and classical plays as well as school and community programs. They are celebrating their 30th anniversary and moving in 2009 into a brand new, state-of-the-art theater in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, FL.

For their 10th anniversary season, the Palladium at St. Petersburg College continues to showcase the best local and regional performers, along with national and international acts. They also provide a home stage for organizations such as the St. Petersburg Opera Company, the Pinellas Youth Symphony and dozens more.

Mahaffey Theater at the Progress Energy Center is a 2030-seat bayside cultural venue featuring elegant ballroom space, spectacular waterfront views, and European box-style seating. The Mahaffey stage hosts a myriad of events including critically acclaimed artists in Broadway, family shows, ballet, jazz, symphonic and popular music.

A few honorable mentions are the St Petersburg Little Theatre, the oldest continuously operating community theatre in Florida and the Catherine A. Hickman Theater of Gulfport, a performing arts center with excellent acoustics and 180 seats.

Moving further north in the county, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday is a world-class gathering of the some of the greatest talents and greatest fans of jazz. The event takes full advantage of its home in Clearwater, Florida, offering music against the backdrop of warm breezes, brilliant sunsets and one of the world’s greatest beaches, on the Gulf of Mexico. A major regional jazz festival, it draws tens of thousands of visitors and is now in its 30th year.

Ruth Eckerd Hall was nominated one of the top five concert halls in the United States by a nation-wide industry poll of technicians, artists and their management. It comfortably seats 2,180 for concerts, recitals, plays and special events. In addition to the 200 events presented annually by the center, community groups and nationally recognized arts organizations, including The Florida Orchestra, lease the venue. Architects designed the Hall’s continental-style seating with no center aisles to bring the audience closer to the performers and afford an ideal view from all seats.
Lastly, the Largo Cultural Center (LCC) serves as both an accessible cultural destination and a popular public gathering place. They offer spectacular performances in music, dance and theater.

Wherever you are in Pinellas County you can be sure that you are just minutes away from a great concert or live theatre performance.