The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center unlocks its 16th season with the 2023 – 2024 array of events and programming.
This year promises award-winning artists and performers from around the world, fresh arts programming and special events, many on a newly-purchased Steinway & Sons concert grand piano.
This year’s “It’s A Grand Season” is announcing and celebrating the SBDAC’s permanent acquisition of an exceptional 9-foot concert grand Steinway & Sons piano, which will be featured prominently on each chamber concert. Artists in demand across Europe and the U.S. as soloists, chamber musicians, and recitalists who have delighted audiences and critics across North America, Europe, and Asia, will be featured as well, each of them the most sought-after chamber musicians performing today.
The beautifully intimate Chamber Music Series brings the masters of classical music to the River District, featuring world-class international artists including the Ehnes Quartet, with special guest pianist Andy Armstrong, who will debut the new Steinway & Sons concert grand piano on Nov. 16. The Grand Piano Quartet concert on Feb. 7 brings together four of the countries greatest musicians, violinist Arnaud Sussmann, pianist Gloria Chien, violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt and cellist Nicholas Canellakis to perform the greatest piano quartets of all times.
Annually, the American Virtuosi, led by SBDAC executive director and violist Jim Griffith, highlights some of the most celebrated musicians in the genre paired with equally delicious dining. American Virtuosi fundraiser dinner concert on Feb. 25 features violinists Peter Winograd and Caterina Szepes, violist Paul Neubauer, cellist Ani Aznavoorian and pianists Rohan De Silva and Andy Armstrong. The American Virtuosi return Feb. 29 for a memorable concert featuring violinists Tessa Lark and James Ehnes, violist Molly Carr, cellist Ani Aznavoorian and pianists Rohan De Silva and Andy Armstrong.
The Chamber Series concludes with The American String Quartet on March 27 who will be celebrating 50 years as one of the world’s finest string quartets.
The fast-selling Jazzy Nights Series brings back the viral sensation Gunhild Carling, a Swedish jazz superstar who plays multiple instruments sometimes all at once, plus sings, and tap dances, performing on Feb. 9.
Popular local favorite Danny Sinoff & Friends will grace the stage March 8, bringing together a tremendous group of musicians for an evening of hard swinging jazz music.
New Jazz Underground is a trio composed of three Juilliard School Alumni in Jazz. This dynamic young group is Lincoln Center’s inner circle of young artists who have worked closely with jazz masters ranging from Wynton Marsalis, Victor Lewis and ELEW and will bring their talent to SBDAC on April 19. These performers exemplify young artists who have immersed themselves in the jazz tradition yet exude an idiosyncratic collective musical identity rooted in the artist’s familial interpersonal relationship that speaks to a democratic modernity of profound symbolic significance.
On May 10, the SBDAC welcomes New York’s King of Swing, Glenn Crytzer’s All-Stars, widely known as one of the preeminent American jazz bands of our time. Jerome Wilson says, “Crytzer’s Orchestra conjure up memories of Gene Krupa, Count Basie and Lucky Millinder all within one set, an impressive feat.”
The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center brings Nashville to Fort Myers with the crowd pleasing Bluegrass Series returning for another incredible lineup including Della Mae on Jan. 12, the unforgettable boundless energy and enthusiasm of David Mayfield Parade on Jan. 19, Mama Said String Band on March 15, and fiddling like you have never heard before by Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper on April 12. These endearing Bluegrass performers impress with remarkable discipline, creativity, and ability to infuse poignant past music with present music, resulting in unique performances which make them relevant fixtures within the world of music today.
The always popular Vinyl Vibes Series elevates the live band experience by featuring tribute bands of many of music’s most memorable artists. Jaded Aerosmith Tribute is the ultimate concert escape scheduled for Jan. 26. The Liverpool-based Mersey Beatles invades the stage Feb. 16, highlighting the Beatles’ eternal hits.
Songs In The Attic – Billy Joel Tribute hits the stage as the piano man on the new concert grand on Feb. 23, followed by an impeccable live performance of Fire And Rain – The James Taylor Experience presented on March 29.
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden has exploded on the scene as the place to go for numerous events. Talented local musicians take over the roof showcasing with fresh monthly live entertainment, and Latin Night sizzles under the stars. Sing your heart out at karaoke, join a drop-in yoga class, enroll in a wine and paint, charcuterie, or salsa dance lesson, attend one of the popular Retro Rooftop Dance Parties Nov. 17, Jan. 26, March 29, May 31 or June 14, or enjoy Friday Nights at Sidney’s live music under the stars each Friday night.
The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District.
For more information, visit www.sbdac.com or call 239-333-1933.
