Last year was a crippling one for the arts. The COVID-19 pandemic forced theaters, concerts halls, museums and arenas to close and left artists without venues to showcase their works.
Some took their talents online with a variety of virtual performances, some found other work where there was work to be found. Many had to rely on unemployment benefits and the assistance of local fundraising efforts such as GOPAR: Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief, the Pinellas Arts Community Relief Fund and United Arts’ Empower the Arts Campaign.
As we start off 2021 and while the community isn’t back nearly to where it needs to be, venues are starting to reopen and bring the arts back to life in Central Florida and Tampa Bay – and they are doing it with the safety of their performers and audiences in mind.
Last month, the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando created a socially-distanced, outdoor festival space in Seneff Arts Plaza in front of the performing arts venue called the Frontyard Festival. This six-month initiative will allow hundreds of performers to get back to work doing what they love.
Other venues are opening back up selling a fraction of their seats to allow for six-feet spaces between fans and requiring masks to be worn during the show. Drag queens and comedians are hosting drive-in style shows where audiences watch from the safety of their vehicles, honking horns instead of clapping hands.
Watermark would usually release our Spring Arts Guide this time of year, a glossy magazine filled with a detailed schedule of shows, exhibits, concerts, festivals, conventions and more happening throughout Central Florida and Tampa Bay. However, while venues are showing signs of a huge comeback in 2021, they are doing so cautiously.
Not everything has reopened and the venues which have are doing so in a limited capacity. That’s why we have decided to push the release of our annual Spring Arts Guide to April. The 2021 edition will be packed full of the local entertainment information you have come to expect from us.
In the meantime, we have gathered a condensed version of listings on some upcoming performances over the next few months that you can safely check out. We have also highlighted some fantastic performers who we think you will not want to miss.
All listings are accurate as of press, but please do keep in mind that due to the continued pandemic, all venues and showtimes are subject to changes, postponements and cancellations. Each venue open and listed has its own social distancing and safety precautions that you will need to adhere to.
We have included contact information and website addresses within the listings and encourage you to review those safety measures before purchasing tickets and heading to the venue. Now, on with the shows!
Daytona Beach/Space Coast
Cocoa Village Playhouse
Cocoa
321-636-5050
Jan. 29-Feb. 14
“Disney’s Newsies”
March 12-21
“1776”
The Henegar Center
Melbourne
321-723-8698
Feb. 19-March 7
“Once On This Island”
April 2-18
“Rock of Ages”
King Center for the Performing Arts
Melbourne
321-242-2219
Feb. 11
The Allman Betts Band
Feb. 13
Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti
Feb. 18
ABBA Mania
March 12
Bruce in the USA
Peabody Auditorium
Daytona Beach
386-671-3461
March 19
Get the Led Out
March 25
Little River Band
Orlando
The Abbey
Orlando
407-704-6261
April 3
Natewantstobattle
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens
Winter Park
407-647-6294
Through April 11
Robert Reedy: Revival
Amway Center
Orlando
844-854-1450
March 7
André Rieu and His Johann Strauss Orchestra
Art & History Museum
Maitland
407-539-2181
Feb. 4-May 9
“Love & Compassion: Images of Mother & Child”
Bay Street Players
Eustis
352-357-7777
March 11-14
“The Addams Family”
Creative City Project
Orlando
Feb. 6-March 14
“Down the Rabbit Hole”
Creative City Projects, in partnership with director Donald Spencer from Modern Theatricals, presents a blending of arts, dance, music, comedy and theater as the classic story of “Alice in Wonderland” is brought to life all around you. Meet Alice at the start of her travels through the botanical gardens and follow her through this immersive experience where you’ll come face-to-face with the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit and more as the story unfolds right before your eyes complete with brilliant costumes, theatrical lighting, special effects and a fantastic musical soundtrack. Shows will be limited to groups of 10-15 and masks will be required to be worn during the show. Tickets start at $22 and can be purchased at CreativeCityProject.com.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Orlando
844-513-2014
Feb. 3
An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson
Feb. 8
Universal Funk Orchestra
Feb. 11
Keb’ Mo’
Feb. 12
Gilberto Santa Rosa
Feb. 13
“Step Afrika!”
Feb. 15
The Edwards Twins: “2 Brothers – 100 Stars”
Feb. 24
Spyro Gyra
Feb. 27
“Mo’ Melanin Mo’ Problems”
March 13
Preacher Lawson
March 23-24
Foreigner
March 26
Jake Shimabukuro
March 28
Salsa y Sazón
April 20-25
“CATS”
Enzian Theater
Maitland
407-629-1088
Feb. 7
“National Live Theatre: “Kinky Boots”
Enzian Theater brings you a National Theatre Live presentation of the award-winning Broadway musical, “Kinky Boots,” filmed live from the London stage. Based on the 2005 British film of the same name, “Kinky Boots” tells the mostly true story of a man who inherits his father’s shoe factory and his unlikely partnership with a drag queen to produce a line of high-heeled boots in order to save the business. With music by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein, “Kinky Boots” won six 2013 Tony Awards; including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Actor in a Musical for Billy Porter. Tickets are $20 and available at Enzian.org.
Feb. 27
Reel Short Teen Film Festival Showcase
March 6
“National Live Theatre: “War Horse”
March 14
Central Florida Film Slam
April 9-22
The 30th annual Florida Film Festival
The Garden Theatre
Winter Garden
407-877-4736
Feb. 14
Classic Movies: “Casablanca”
March 3-14
“A Raisin in the Sun”
March 28
Interactive Movies: “Spaceballs”
April 1
Classic Movies: “The Wizard of Oz”
April 22-May 30
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”
HÄOS on Church
Orlando
407-203-4099
Jan. 29-30
Hard Rock Live
Orlando
HardRock.com/Live/Locations/Orlando
407-351-5483
Feb. 14
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Feb. 18-19
Bert Kreischer
Feb. 20
Classic Albums Live: “Led Zeppelin II”
March 27
“Cash Cab’s” Ben Bailey
April 11
Jimmie Vaughan with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
April 18
“MasterChef Junior Live!”
April 21
Ministry with KMFDM and Front Line Assembly
April 30
Daughtry
House of Blues
Lake Buena Vista
407-934-2583
March 25
Dance Gavin Dance – Afterburner Tour
April 2
Melendi Tour
April 10
Milky Chance, “Mind the Moon Tour 2021”
Mad Cow Theatre
Orlando
407-297-8788
Starting Feb. 15
“Fish Are Friends” (digital)
Starting March 15
“The Hound of the Baskervilles” (digital)
The Mennello Museum of American Art
Orlando
407-246-4278
Through April 11
American Artists in the Southwest & American Paintings from the Melanson Holt Collection
April 23-Aug. 1
Mr. Eddy and His Grand Portraits
Old Town
Kissimmee
407-396-4888
Through Feb. 28
Old Town Live
Feb. 28, March 28 & April 25
Import Car Show
Opera Orlando
Orlando
407-718-4365
Feb. 19 & 21
“Death of Ivan Ilych”
April 1 & 3
“Carmen”
Orlando Ballet
Orlando
407-426-1733
Feb. 11-14
“Moulin Rouge The Ballet”
March 19-28
The Robert Hill Collection
Orlando Ballet celebrates the rich history of its artistic director, Robert Hill, as he returns to the stage to present his most iconic performances and works. Showcasing his incredible versatility and athleticism, Hill will grace the stage to perform Lang’s haunting solo—The Calling. The Robert Hill Collection opens as the inaugural mainstage production at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, located at 600 N. Lake Formosa Drive. Tickets start at $24 and are available at OrlandoBallet.org.
April 16-18
“Peter Pan”
Orlando Museum of Art
Orlando
407-896-4231
Through June 30
“American Journey: Two Centuries of Art and Culture”
Jan. 29-May 2
“A Boundless Drop to a Boundless Ocean”
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
Orlando
407-896-6700
Feb. 8
“Beethoven & Mozart”: Eric Jacobsen, Rimma Bergeron-Langlois & Alexander Stevens
Feb. 20-21
“Carnival of the Animals”
March 1
“Beethoven’s ‘Emperor’ Concerto”: Corrado Rovaris & Colton Peltier
March 13
John Williams: “Big Screen Blockbusters”
March 20
Deep Field: “The Impossible Magnitude of Our Universe”
April 12
“Schumann Symphony No. 2”: Eric Jacobsen & Karen Ouzounian
April 24
Mahler’s “Titan”
Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Orlando
407-447-1700
Feb. 3-14
“My Lord, What a Night”
Feb. 12-14
“Kiss Me, Shakespeare!”
Feb. 17-March 21
March 31-April 17
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Osceola Center for the Arts
Kissimmee
407-846-4643
Through Feb. 7
“The Odd Couple”
March 5-21
“Million Dollar Quartet”
The Plaza Live
Orlando
407-228-1220
Feb. 5
The Driver Era
Feb. 27
Dabin with Nurko and Last Heroes
March 11
Get the Led Out
March 21
Stephen Marley
April 8
Trey Kennedy
April 20
Bendelacreme
April 21
Brian Culbertson
April 22
Steve Hackett
Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
Sanford
407-321-8111
Feb. 6
“Smooch”
Feb. 7
NY Rockabilly
Feb. 11-14
Love Your Shorts Film Festival
Feb. 20
N2nation presents The Sound of Motown & More
March 5-14
“Sister Act The Musical”
March 19
Andy Gross Live
March 20
True Rumours: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
March 21
Orlando Gay Chorus presents “The 70’s One Funky Decade”
Do you love the funky sounds of the 1970’s? Are as huge fan of the disco era? Well, the Orlando Gay Chorus has got a groovy concert for you! They will be taking it to the max with far out tunes from artists such as ABBA, Donna Summer, Sylvester and many, many more. “The 70’s One Funky Decade” will have everyone smiling and in a happy place! Tickets range from $23-30 and can be purchased by calling the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center’s box office at 407-321-8111.
March 26
The Edwards Twins
April 3
The Queens of Florida
Winter Park Playhouse
Winter Park
407-645-0145
Through Feb. 20
“A Grand Night for Singing”
Feb. 24-25
Dustin and Courtney Cunningham in “Bella Notte”
March 19-28, April 8-24
“RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women”
LAKELAND
Lakeland Community Theatre
Lakeland
863-603-7529
Feb. 19-21, 26-28; March 5-7
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”
April 16-18, 24-25
“The Savannah Sipping Society”
Polk Museum of Art
Lakeland
863-688-7743
Through Feb. 14
“Transcendence”
Through March 28
“Pierre and Cathy Dutertre: Quest”
Feb. 13-May 23
“Toulouse-Lautrec & the Belle Epoque”
TAMPA
Amalie Arena
Tampa
813-301-6500
Feb. 19-20
“TOBYMAC: Deep Hits Tour”
March 6
André Rieu
April 16
98ROCKFEST
April 24
“The Millennium Tour”
Carrollwood Players
Tampa
813-265-4000
Feb. 12-21
“The Mountaintop”
March 12-April 3
“Godspell”
Stageworks Theatre
Tampa
813-374-2416
March 12-14, 19-21, 26-28
“American Son”
April 15-18, 23-30; May 1-2
“The Lady from Havana”
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Tampa
813-229-7827
Through Jan. 31
“Doubt: A Parable”
Jan. 29
Jesse Byers
Jan. 30
Chris Flowers
Feb. 5
Jariah Higgins
Feb. 6
John Mcrae
Feb. 12-14
“Valentine’s Engagement”
Feb. 19
“Lift Every Voice & Sing”
Feb. 24-March 14
“Hand to God”
March 19-21
“Troubadour’s Tale”
March 26
“Ridges of Rhythm”
April 7-25
“Henry V by William Shakespeare”
April 16
Arts Legacy REMIX: “A Journey Through Central & Eastern Europe”
April 22-25
“Butterfly’s Flight”
Tampa Theatre
Tampa
813-274-8286
April 20
Andrew Bird
April 23-24
WineFest 2021
April 25
Hollywood Awards Night 2021
CLEARWATER
Ruth Eckerd Hall / Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
Clearwater
727-791-7400
Jan. 31
Neil Berg: “50 Years of Rock IV”
Feb. 6
Jim Messina
Feb. 10
Keb’ Mo’
Feb. 12
“The Eagles’ Greatest Hits”
Feb. 13
“The Simon & Garfunkel Story”
Feb. 17
Paul Thorn
Feb. 19
Christopher Cross
Feb. 20
Los Lobos
Feb. 23-24
“Jersey Boys”
Feb. 25-March 14
“The Office! A Murder Mystery”
Feb. 25
“Whose Live Anyway”
Feb. 26
The Wailers ft. Julian Marley
Feb. 27
“Kashmir: Led Zeppelin Tribute”
March 6
“Doo Wop Reunion 20th Anniversary”
March 7
“Sister’s Easter Catechism”
March 11
Classic Albums Live: “Led Zeppelin II”
March 13
“The ELO Experience: 50th Anniversary”
March 14
Jim Brickman
March 15
Ricky Skaggs
March 19
Pablo Cruise
March 20
Paul Anka: “Anka Sings Sinatra”
March 20
Paula Poundstone
Celebrated comedic powerhouse Paula Poundstone returns to Clearwater! Direct from NPR’s weekly current events and comedy news quiz “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me,” the award-winning comic brings her unique brand of observational comedy to the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre for one night only. “The queen of the skepticism-fueled rant, Paula Poundstone stands alone in her talent for bursting bubbles and slaying sacred cows,” the theatre teases. Tickets are $35 and $45, with a limited number of private luxury boxes available which include wine, champagne, soft drinks and snacks. Each box consists of four seats. Tickets can be purchased at RuthEckerdHall.com.
March 21
Phillies 40th Reunion
March 22
Michael Feinstein
March 23
“Beautiful: Carole King Musical”
March 25
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
March 25
Jake Shimabukuro
March 27
“Foreigner Unplugged”
April 3
“South Pacific”
April 7
Trey Kennedy
April 15
Classic Albums Live: AC/DC
April 16-17
Riverdance
April 17
Graham Nash
April 18
Golden Boys
April 21
Steve Hackett
April 23
Dave Mason
April 26
“Brian Culbertson XX Tour”
April 29
Tower of Power
ST. PETERSBURG
American Stage
St. Petersburg
727-823-7529
Feb. 12-21
“Satchmo at the Waldorf”
Florida Orchestra
St. Petersburg
727-892-3337
Jan. 30-31
“Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4”
“The Intimate Mahler: Symphony No. 4”
Freefall Theatre
St. Petersburg
727-498-5205
Through Feb. 14
“Scott and Patti: Get a Real Job!”
James Museum
St. Petersburg
727-892-4200
Through Feb. 14
Blake Little: “Photographs from the Gay Rodeo”
Feb. 4
“The Art of Illusion”
Feb. 18
“Bluebird, Bluebird”
Feb. 25
“An Evening with Ezra Tucker”
March 4
“Clay to Bronze: The Art of Tammy Garcia”
March 18
“Crazy Brave: A Memoir”
March 21
“Art in Nature: Watercolor Wildlife”
April 1
“Paul Pletka’s Neo-Surrealism”
April 6
“Pride: The Lions of Soysambu”
April 15
“How Much of These Hills is Gold”
Mahaffey Theater
St. Petersburg
727-898-2100
Feb. 19
“The Greatest Love of All”
Belinda Davids has captivated audiences across the globe with her moving tribute to the late, great Whitney Houston since 2013. In this two-hour musical showcase, her iconic legacy is brought to life with breathtaking vocals. Davids takes attendees “on a nostalgic, wonderful journey through Houston’s greatest hits including ‘I Will Always Love You,’ ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody,’ ‘I’m Every Woman’” and more, the Mahaffey Theater details. The show features a live band, back-up vocalists and masterful choreography with state-of-the-art sound, lighting and other theatrical effects. It promises to be one “you will talk about for years to come.” Tickets range from $32.50-59.50 and are available at TheMahaffey.com.
Feb. 24
“ABBA Mania”
Feb. 28
Celtic Woman
March 6
“The Ultimate Tribute to Tina Turner”
March 29
Pink Martini
April 9
Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular
April 23
“1964: The Tribute”
Museum of Fine Arts
St. Petersburg
727-896-2667
Through March 14
“Color Riot!: How Color Changed Navajo Textiles”
Through April 11
“From Chaos to Order”
Through July 18
“Abstraction and the American Scene”
Through May 23
“Working Point: Contemporary Glass”
April 10
“Antioch Reclaimed: Ancient Mosaics”
St. Petersburg Opera
St. Petersburg
727-822-3590
Jan. 29-31
“Opera’s Greatest Hits”
Feb. 26-28
“28 Opera & the Sea”
March 26-28
“March Madness at the Opera”
SARASOTA
Florida Studio Theatre
Sarasota
941-366-9000
March 24-April 25
“Vintage Pop!”
March 31-April 25
“Three Pianos”
The Players Centre
Sarasota
941-365-2494
Through Jan. 31
“Souvenir”
Feb. 4-14
“In Love with Shakespeare”
Sarasota Opera
Sarasota
941-366-8450
Feb. 12, 14, 20, 23, 25
“The Happy Deception”
Feb. 19, 21, 24, 27; March 2, 4
“Maid to Mistress”
April 9, 13, 16, 18, 21, 24
“Il signor Bruschino”
April 11, 15, 17, 20, 22, 25
“Dido and Aeneas”
Sarasota Orchestra
Sarasota
941-953-3434
Jan. 28-31, Feb. 4-9
“Serioso”
Feb. 11-14, 18-23
“Valentine’s Day Pops”
Feb. 25-28, March 4-9
“Latin Sounds”
March 11-14, 18-23
“All in the Family”
March 25-28, April 1-6
“Death and the Maiden”
April 15-18, 22-27
“Tributes”
April 29-May 2
“Jazz Pops”
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Sarasota
941-953-3368
Feb. 13
Audra McDonald
With six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, staunch LGBTQ ally Audra McDonald is a force to reckoned with. The performer has been named one of TIME’s most influential people and in 2015, former President Barack Obama awarded the Julliard-trained soprano with the National Medal of Arts, the country’s highest honor for achievement in the arts. Her award-winning performances include “Carousel,” “Master Class” and “A Raisin in the Sun,” with recent appearances in Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast” and more. See her unparalleled talent for yourself in this intimate evening showcasing her depth as an artist. Tickets range from $42-$107.
March 9
“The Ultimate Tribute to Tina Turner”
March 17
Paul Anka
March 31
Kenny G.
April 8
Rick Thomas, “Mansion of Dreams”
April 14
Johnny Mathis
