Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts, the renowned professional performance series with art, music and culture in historic St. Augustine, is celebrating its 11th year and includes more than 35 events and exhibits by dozens of independent nonprofit organizations and talent.
From April 29 to May 15, daily concerts, plays, dance showcases, art exhibits, opera, wine events and more will be featured.
Romanza Festivale is an annual collaboration by dozens of organizations and businesses in St. Augustine. Most events are free of charge and open to the public.
For general information, performers, schedules and locations, go to romanzafestivale.com.
According to key founders and board members of Romanza-St. Augustine Kathleen Vande Berg and Albert and Pat Syeles of St. Augustine, “The Romanza Festivale is teeming with real experiences in the real-world as stimulation, not escape. The unique Festivale, presented by artistic professionals in our community, offers indigenous street level culture with active, participatory recreation that showcases the confluence of history, arts and culture which is unique to Florida in St. Augustine.”
Entertainment genres include music, heritage and culture, culinary and wine, dance, spoken word, theater, film, visual art and many additional productions at a diversity of local venues.
Headliners include Regina Torres in “Trouble in Tahiti,” a one-act opera by Leonard Bernstein, on April 29; Akia Uwanda in a “Tribute to the Ladies of New Jazz and Soul” on April 30; and Romanza Dance Kaleidoscope on May 6.
Well-known performance artists featured in and around the Festivale and attraction dates will include St. Augustine’s Community Chorus, Florida School of the Arts, River City Jazz Ensemble, St. Augustine Art Association Plein Air Art and Exhibit, Spanish Wine Tasting, Sam Pacetti, A Classic Theatre, First Coast Opera, the Music of Albert Syeles and a Chamber Music Series, among many more.
“We are proud to once again bring the Romanza Festivale of Music and The Arts to our beautiful city with daily events featuring dozens of concerts, shows, exhibits and much more, while also including local arts and cultural nonprofit organizations,” Albert Syeles said.
Romanza Festivale is funded in part by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, and by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural, and Florida Council on Arts and Culture.