CULATRUTRE
CELEBRATING THE ARTS
February in St. Petersburg
By Aaron R. Fodiman
Gordon and Michele Gilbert have organized a themed month-long arts celebration
in St. Petersburg that they hope to continue annually.
Dr. Gordon Gilbert and his wife Michele, who
are strong supporters of the arts, wanted
to contribute to St. Petersburg’s reputation
for being “A City of the Arts,” so they
have organized a new cultural festival for the city of
St. Petersburg. The event will join together various
groups in which the Gilberts are involved, plus others
in the city that they enlisted for the project.
The month-long celebration will take place in
February and will focus on the works of Shakespeare.
The Gilberts selected the theme to help unite the
citywide events because Shakespeare has had a special
place in their hearts ever since they used his Sonnet
116 in their wedding ceremony. A VIP celebration
will kick off the festival on February 1st at the
St. Petersburg Opera’s home, Opera Central, thanks
to Maestro Mark Sforzini.
The festival will be filled with events and special
shows that will appeal to those interested in the arts
and culture of our area.
The Imagine Museum at 1901 Central Ave. will pair
romantic Shakespearean quotes with their studio art
glass. The Museum of Fine Arts at 255 Beach Drive
N.E. will match Shakespearean sonnets to works they
are currently displaying, and the James Museum of
Western and Wildlife art at 150 Central Ave. will use
Shakespearean quotes to help you see the West from
the Bard’s viewpoint.
128 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019
The Spitfire Theater Improv at 14 18th St. S. will
perform Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Aren’t Dead on
Friday nights in February; the St. Petersburg Opera
will stage Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate at the Palladium
on February 2nd-10th; the Palladium Chamber Players
will play Shakespeare-inspired music on February
13th; and American Stage at 163 Third St. N. will have
a performance of Shakespeare’s Lovers on February
17th. A not-to-be-missed show, Shakespeare is a Drag,
will feature Matthew McGee and Roxanne Fay at the
freeFall Theatre on February 18th.
There is something for everyone in this gigantic
undertaking. Perhaps the most unusual will be the
St. Petersburg Chapter of Hadassah’s presentation of
Why the Merchant of Venice is Not an Anti-Semitic Play
at the Florida Holocaust Museum at 55 Fifth St. S., on
February 24th.
Don’t miss this chance to brush up on your
Shakespeare and experience the cultural elements of
the city of St. Petersburg. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information, visit
artsofstpete.org.