Photo: Fine Arts students Kwesi James and Tiffanny Rameriez on stage in  I & You 

A full program of theater, music and art offerings from Seminole State College of Florida’s   Center for Fine and Performing Arts is on tap for the fall arts season. With dance, jazz, holiday favorites and more on the menu, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy this season.

Theater

Esencia

Esencia will feature performances by Flamenco del Sol dancers directed and choreographed by Tammy Weber de Millar. Flamenco dancing evolved in caves, so the atmosphere of Le Petit Théâtre on Seminole State’s Sanford/Lake Mary Campus is just the right setting for Esencia – an immersive journey to the caves of Sacromonte where flamenco music, dance and poetry mingle in an intimate venue. The passionate, percussive dance form that Weber de Millar teaches evolved in the south of Spain and Andalucia, with its deepest roots in the Sacromonte district of Granada in or near hillside caves historically populated by gypsies – more properly known as the Roma people. Performances are Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m.  

Black Comedy

Le Petit Théâtre will also feature  Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer Nov. 3-5 and 10-12, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances at 2 p.m.

In Black Comedy, lovesick and desperate sculptor Brindsley Miller has embellished his apartment with furniture and objects d’arte “borrowed” from the absent antique collector next door, hoping to impress his fiancée’s pompous father and a wealthy art dealer. The fussy neighbor, Harold Gorringe, returns just as a blown fuse plunges the apartment into darkness and Brindsley is revealed. Unexpected guests, aging spinsters, errant phone cords and other snares impede his frantic attempts to return the purloined items before light is restored.

Reservations Required: You can reserve your seats for Escencia and Black Comedy by contacting the box office at 407.708.2506. 

Musical Delights

Recitals                    

The Seminole State Music department kicks off its season with the Faculty Recital Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m., showcasing the College’s music faculty. A Music Student Recital celebrating Seminole State’s music majors as they perform on their primary instrument/voice will take place Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in building J, room 109 on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus. 

Jazz Night

The Seminole State Music Department presents Jazz Night featuring our jazz bands and SeminoleSound Vocal Jazz Ensemble for an evening of music on the lighter side Tuesday, Oct. 24, at The Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 Magnolia Ave., Sanford. Guests can reserve their seats with free admission through The Ritz Theater website.

Holiday Cheer

The popular Messiah Sing-Along is back this season with the performance set for Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Lake Mary, 780 N. Sun Drive, Lake Mary.This annual favorite, hosted by the SSC Community Choir under the direction of Distinguished Professor of Music Dianna Campbell, offers an evening of singing selects choruses from Handel's Messiah alongside Seminole State voice faculty, vocal majors and alumni. A chamber orchestra rounds out this interactive musical event. Scores will be available on site, or guests may bring their own.   

The Holiday Gala Concert comes together to ring in the holiday season Nov. 28, with two shows at 5-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. at the Lake Mary Events Center, 260 N. Country Club Rd., Lake Mary.  Professor of Instrumental Music Dr. James Smisek and Campbell join forces for a festive night of new and classic holiday tunes featuring Seminole State’s Symphonic/Community Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Concert Chorale, SSC Community Choir, SeminoleSound, the Vienna Choir and more! The event is free, but reservations are required. 

Admission to Seminole State music events is free unless otherwise noted, however, some venues will suggest a donation.

Art

Student art exhibit on display at Sanford City Hall 

A student art exhibition is on display at Sanford’s City Hall featuring works of art from several Seminole State students. The student art exhibition, curated by Viktoryia McGrath, illustrates some of the exemplary learning opportunities that are provided by the committed and engaged faculty members of the Studio Art department. The presented works were recently completed during classes at the College such as Drawing I, Drawing II, Painting, Printmaking and Design Fundamentals I. These hardworking students utilized a variety of materials to meticulously execute the thought-provoking projects.  

This exhibit is on display in the Mayor’s Gallery at Sanford City Hall, 300 N. Park Ave., Sanford, until Nov. 16. Mayor’s Gallery hours are 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
Visit sanfordfl.gov/publicart for more information.