After the ribbon cutting for their beautiful new outdoor stage last week, the ArtsXchange and Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA) are putting the new performing arts venue to work. Three exceptional events will headline the inaugural lineup, showcasing live jazz, transformative films, and moving talks from directors, producers, actors, activists, and worldwide leaders in the arts.
The AX Theater @ WADA is located on the ArtsXchange campus at 515 22nd Street South (home to the monthly Second Saturday Art Walk), and provides a beautiful outdoor gathering place in the heart of St. Pete’s arts community. When activated, the venue showcases art, food trucks, bars, local businesses and more, alongside performances and screenings on the newly-constructed stage. The new facility is a boon for the arts community in St. Pete and makes the ArtsXchange even more of a must-try experience.
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LIFT brings a story of dance and perseverance to St. Pete
First up for the new theater is a joint production with the Sunscreen Film Festival – a screening of LIFT, the moving and powerful documentary centered on Steven Melendez and his journey from a homeless child to a star in the world of ballet, now the Artistic Director of the NY Theatre Ballet. The screening takes place this Friday, April 28, a perfect pairing with St. Pete’s Academy of Ballet Arts, located on the ArtsXchange campus.
Melendez will be on site for a meet and greet beginning at 7 pm, followed by the screening at 8 pm and a Q&A session following the documentary. Tickets for the screening are available through the Sunscreen Film Festival, and be sure to scroll ALL the way down and select the nighttime showing at ArtsXchange (not the morning screening at The Sundial).
WADA will be St. Pete’s home for International Jazz Day
Two days later the ArtsXchange Stage will host a two-part celebration of International Jazz Day on Sunday, April 30. The headliner is the U.S. premier of Sincopa, a music-centered Mexican independent film that breaks away from Hollywood stereotypes of the country while telling a story about friendship. Much of the cast and production team are actually flying in from Mexico for the premier and will be on hand for a meet and greet at 6 pm and then a screening of Sincopa at 8 pm.
In between the meet and greet and the film, the incredible O Som Do Jazz septet will perform at 7 pm, recapturing the spirit of Brazilian Bossa Nova, Samba-jazz, and Ballao. Tickets for the Jazz Day celebration are $15 (or $12 for WADA members).
A conversation on gun violence takes center stage
UPDATE: The Instrument of Hope has been postponed. Stay tuned for news on the rescheduled date.
Finally, a musical performance and panel will bring one of the year’s most emotional, moving, and absolutely important experiences to St. Pete. “The Instrument of Hope” will be a deep and sweeping conversation about gun violence in our community and our world, an intentional effort to keep the topic on the main stage. Originally scheduled for Mothers Day, the experience will feature a panel discussion among local and international leaders, followed by a performance from world-renowned Canadian musician Bria Skonberg.
Skonberg, who waived her usual fee to be a part of this special event, will be performing with the event’s namesake instrument, a trumpet titled The Instrument of Hope. The trumpet was created with spent bullet casings from the Parkland tragedy to serve as a reminder to never forget how important the conversation must be. The instrument will make its St. Pete debut for one night only. Tickets for the event are $15 (or $12 for WADA members).
WADA, ArtsXchange bring vibrancy and life to St. Pete’s art community
If you haven’t been to an event at ArtsXchange, add it to your list soon. This bustling artistic hub is a melting pot of creativity, where local artists, performers, and art enthusiasts come together to celebrate the magic of the arts. Nestled in the heart of the city, ArtsXchange is a dynamic space that houses a myriad of studios, galleries, and performance spaces, showcasing the diverse talents of the community. From captivating visual art exhibitions to incredible live performances, ArtsXchange is a thriving cultural hub that ignites the senses and fosters a sense of community through the power of art.
The Warehouse Arts District Association is a non- profit arts organization dedicated to creating a vibrant arts community within and around the Warehouse Arts District in St. Pete. Their mission is to build and sustain a vibrant arts community that supports the success of all artists and the community at large through a broad spectrum of tools, including community revitalization, marketing, advocacy and educational programming.
They are a cultural arts destination in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg dedicated to flourishing our community through artistic endeavors, support, and highly curated art.
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