Opening Nights announces season of live performances — yes, really

Opening Nights at Florida State University’s release of its new season feels a little like a “Save the Date” card. Well, not exactly. Because there aren’t any dates. The performing arts presenter — which brings top musicians, comedians, dance and theater companies, writers and other artists to Tallahassee — announced its 2020-2021 slate of performers […]

Michael’s Soundtrack

When feeling somber or when confronted by events that may be hard to process or interpret, Michael Blachly reverts to what he calls his comfort music: songs that were meaningful to him when he was evolving into the person he would become. On Memorial Day, Blachly was grilling and exchanged messages with a best friend […]

Remaining Balance of Opening Nights Season Canceled

Good Afternoon, Due to concerns with the coronavirus, on March 11, 2020, Florida State University communicated new guidelines for university operations, including postponing or canceling external speakers and groups scheduled to perform on campus. The university’s highest priority is the health and safety of students, staff and patrons. Working closely with university leadership to enact […]

Sir James Galway

Sir James Galway hosted a master class for the College of Music’s Wind Seminar students as part of the Louis Ireland Humphrey Excellence Fund. Sir Galway was bold and direct in his feedback while keeping the lesson both light-hearted and fun. He was blown away by the talent that the students possessed, commenting that it […]

Larry Mitchell

Larry Mitchell joined Opening Nights and Arts4All Florida in collaboration with Florida State University’s Autism Institute, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, University of Choice and Leon County Schools to present The Larry Mitchell Interchange: Music for All. Mitchell led a musical workshop for students that comprised an inclusive learning body of students of all […]

February 2020

Director’s Column ON Director Michael Blachly I would like to address an occurrence that is affecting theatres throughout the country. At sold-out shows, patrons have been presenting either fraudulent or duplicated tickets which have prevented them from gaining admission into the show for which they believed to have valid tickets. If you purchase tickets from […]

Black Violin

Students from Florida State University Schools joined Black Violin during their soundcheck where the famous Florida duo talked to students about the importance of thinking outside the box and breaking stereotypes. Later that evening, the students joined Black Violin on stage and performed with them during the encore. Black Violin and FSUS students on stage […]

New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players

Florida State University Opera students participated in an audition-style master class focused on singing technique with Executive Director of the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, David Wannen, and Claire Leyden, who plays Mabel in the players’ production of The Pirates of Penzance. FSU Opera Students pose with Davis and Claire