Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts Showcases Local Youth with National Talent in Legally Blonde Jr
The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts is proud to present Legally Blonde Jr., a fully staged, professional-quality musical production showcasing exceptional youth talent from across the region. Performances will take place on July 25 and 26 on the historic Mahaffey Theater stage in downtown St. Petersburg.
“I’m continually impressed by the hard work these kids put in to earn their place on this stage,” said Bill Edwards, Founder & President of the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts. “Many of them dedicate themselves to their craft throughout the year to be ready for this opportunity. This production features talented local youth delivering professional-caliber performances with skills and stagecraft on par with national-level productions.”
Applications Now Open for One of the Nation’s Top Outdoor Art Festivals
The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, ranked among the top juried art festivals in the U.S., is now accepting artist applications for its 56th annual event, set for February 28–March 1, 2026, in downtown Tampa.
Drawing over 30,000 art lovers each year to Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, the Festival is a high-profile opportunity for artists to showcase and sell their work to an engaged and diverse audience. Each year, a new set of four nationally recognized arts administrators and educators is empaneled to review artist applications and invite up to 235 to participate in the Festival. Selected artists will compete for a share of at least $92,000 in prize money, including the prestigious $15,000 Raymond James Best-in-Show Award.
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Announces New Festival Co-Chairs and Welcomes Incoming Board Members
The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (GFA) is proud to announce the appointment of its 2026 Festival Co-Chairs: Rebekah Lane, Alyvia Jansen, and Scott Olson. These three dedicated individuals will lead the all-volunteer team behind one of the nation’s top juried fine arts festivals, held annually in downtown Tampa. Each Co-chair brings a unique blend of passion, talent, and community spirit.
Wounded Veterans-Turned-Rock Band The Resilient to Headline June 20 in St Pete
Formed through the MusiCorps music rehabilitation program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, The Resilient includes lead vocalist Tim Donley and guitarist Nate Kalwicki—both injured during service in Afghanistan—as well as triple amputee drummer Juan “Dom” Dominguez, bassist Erik Kalwicki, and teaching artist Greg Loman. The band is known for its dynamic live performances and mission-driven message rooted in resilience and recovery.
Broadway Icon Laura Bell Bundy Joins Mahaffey Summer Camp for Special One-Night Event
The Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater is proud to announce a special one-night-only event featuring Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy, best known for originating the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde the Musical. Friday, July 18, Bundy will headline a cabaret-style fundraiser performance, featuring two solos, plus a special number from Wicked, where she starred as Glinda on Broadway. She will join the Legally Blonde Jr. summer campers from Mahaffey’s Class Acts program for a collaborative performance.
In its third year, the Mahaffey Class Acts Summer Camp provides transformative performing arts education for students across the region. Ms. Bundy will lead a private workshop with the students, working with them to refine their performance, offer professional insights, and provide one-on-one coaching before their show the following week. The workshop itself is not open to the public, but the evening performance provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the impact of arts education and support future programming.