As part of the Opening Nights Educational Outreach Program, Lincoln High School hosted guitar students from Leon High School, Raa Middle School, and Swift Creek Middle School for an in-school performance by International Guitar Night, a professional group of four guitarists playing a variety of musical styles. The four guitarists performed to an enthusiastic audience […]

After a great season, Opening Nights was able to celebrate our incredible volunteers with our annual Volunteer Celebration. Hosted in Dodd Hall’s FSU Heritage Museum, the Opening Night’s ushers gathered for a catered dinner and social hour. They were also presented with superlatives to commemorate their hard work. “We are so grateful for our volunteers […]

Opening Nights at Florida State University will present two iconic singer-songwriters with illustrious careers spanning decades to open the 2023-2024 season. Artists Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin will perform at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 1, 2023, in the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. This announcement is one of two performances Opening Nights has revealed in advance […]

Opening Nights at Florida State University and Leon County (Visit Tallahassee) co-present the Gipsy Kings, a world-renowned musical ensemble known for their unique fusion of flamenco, salsa and pop. The concert features Nicolas Reyes, lead singer, guitarist, songwriter and founder of the Gipsy Kings, and will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, live […]

The graduate students at FSU’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship had the opportunity to attend an up close and personal lecture from Chain of Parks presenting artist John Ensor Parker. In addition to creating artworks, Parker is a mechanical engineer, architect and curator. He began the lecture by showing the students some of his previous […]

In celebration of Black History Month, Opening Nights hosted numerous literary events surrounding bestselling African-American author Colson Whitehead. Opening Nights started out the literature celebration with a panel discussion about Colson Whitehead’s bestselling novel The Nickel Boys, a harrowing tale set in Tallahassee that is based on the Dozier School. This discussion was moderated by […]

Dr. Benny Bolden, principal of Nims Middle School, was the 2022 recipient of the Arts Advocate award. As a part of this honor, his school received an exclusive Step Afrika! performance. FSU’s Schools of Dance and Theatre instructors also provided educational programs at Nims leading up to the students’ day at FSU. “My objective for […]

Opening Nights at Florida State University is a program dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the Tallahassee community by presenting a diverse range of world-class performances and educational opportunities. One of the key people behind the success of the program is Calla MacNamara, the Education & Engagement Manager at Opening Nights. Calla’s commitment to […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Throughout the month of February, Opening Nights at Florida State University will present numerous performances and cultural and educational events that represent theatre, the written word, music and dance, several of which honor and celebrate black history month. “Multicultural representation is essential to our mission, and it gives us great joy to […]