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.
Dean Street Gallery Presents Love of Local — One-Night Celebrating Tampa Bay’s Boldest Artists
Tampa Bay’s vibrant art scene takes center stage with the launch of Love of Local, a one-night-only art event presented by Dean Street Gallery on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Located next to the Oxford Exchange at 403 W. Grand Central Ave., Tampa, FL 33606, the gallery will be transformed into a dynamic cultural hotspot showcasing the cutting edge of local artistic talent.
Love of Local celebrates the region’s most compelling contemporary artists—visionaries who are shaping Tampa’s creative identity and gaining recognition far beyond the Bay. Guests will experience a curated collection of thought-provoking and visually striking works that reflect the community’s diversity, creativity, and cultural pulse.
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts to Celebrate Educators With Special Appreciation Event on May 27th
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts will host an Educator Appreciation Event on Tuesday, May 27th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The event will celebrate local teachers and allow them to learn more about the Foundation’s CLASS ACTS programming and the free field trips available to schools in a six-county area. Educators who have yet to experience a Class Acts performance are encouraged to attend and discover how these programs can be incorporated into their curriculum, offering students a chance to engage with the arts in the coming school year.
“We believe the future of the arts lies with our youth,” said Bill Edwards, CEO and President of the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts. By offering free, accessible performances and field trips, we provide valuable educational opportunities while fostering a lifelong love for the arts. These programs enhance our theater’s regular programming by connecting with young audiences early, creating future theatergoers and artists. Children from all backgrounds can experience live theater and develop a deeper appreciation for the arts.”