It’s no secret that St. Petersburg is quickly solidifying its reputation as an arts destination and an arts community. We have world-class museums, statues, and other visual art in our parks; professional musicians from The Florida Orchestra working with students in schools; colorful murals brightening the sides of buildings; and dozens of cultural centers with full event calendars serving our community.

While this is the product of so many people and organizations, the work of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance (SPAA) helped pave the way.  Founded seven years ago, the SPAA is a local 501c3 with the highest Guidestar rating (platinum – to put this into context, only 8 of over 1,000 St.… Read More

Lariana Forsythe: CASA’s New CEO

While many neighbors in our community are aware of the tremendous work done by CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse), a new CEO at the helm hopes to take the organization to the next level through good management and smart decisions.

Lariana Forsythe, CASA’s new CEO, is young, vibrant, and full of ideas to improve the nonprofit organization which has been providing support to victims of domestic violence since 1977.  She comes to CASA from Phoenix, where she was the chief development officer and vice president for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix.

Lariana grew up in Arizona but summered on Long Boat Key and Sarasota as a child.… Read More

If you’re walking the dog in the neighborhood and you hear a lilting aria from Puccini’s La Bohème floating down to the sidewalk, you could surmise one of two things: your neighbors are either incredibly talented or incredibly gracious.

Our very own St. Petersburg Opera Company has relied on our neighbors in the Old Northeast, Snell Isle, Crescent Lake, and Crescent Heights to host visiting opera singers, musicians, and behind-the-scenes talent.

Now in its twelfth season, the SPO requires housing for 18-20 guest artists for each of its four mainstage productions throughout the year. Singers are typically in town for four-to-six weeks or longer, depending on the performance or whether they’re part of SPO’s Emerging Artist program.… Read More

When three jazz amigos met at USF, they had no idea what their future together would hold. Awarded Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay Best Jazz Ensemble for three consecutive years, the trio called La Lucha is comprised of John O’Leary on piano, hailing from Mexico; Alejandro Arenas on bass, from Colombia; and Mark Feinman on drums, from Clearwater, Florida.

Community involvement has been a priority for them from the beginning. All three musicians have served on the board of the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, a local non-profit that promotes, preserves, and presents jazz in the Tampa Bay area.… Read More