Many know her as Afton Cooper, JR Ewing’s mistress on the hit 1980's television show Dallas, others may know her from her role as Val Clarke in the film version of A Chorus Line, others will recognize her from her many appearances on shows such as Happy Days, the Dukes of Hazaard, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Battlestar Galactica and many others. In 1996, she created the children’s television series The Huggabug Club, has her own fashion line, often guest hosts on the ABC-7 Suncoast View program, has performed as the feature artist for the Sarasota Pops Orchestra, and lives RIGHT HERE in Sar ..read more

In 2016, she embarked on a mission to restore Judy Garland's original orchestrations, culminating in a song-for-song recreation of Garland's 1961 Carnegie Hall concert. At Michael Feinstein's invitation, she serves as Editor of the Judy Garland Carnegie Hall Concert Restoration Project for the Judy Garland Heirs Trust. Recently, she was given the privilege of restoring the newly-discovered MGM film arrangement of Over the Rainbow. And now, she will be performing these incredible arrangements with the Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota. Join Robyn and Joan Ellison as they talk about Joan ..read more

You saw her guest conduct the Sarasota Orchestra last February and now she returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Monday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m., courtesy of the Sarasota Concert Association, to conduct her very own orchestra, the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic. For their Florida tour, conductor JoAnn Falletta, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and guest violin soloist Sandy Cameron will  present  Kodaly's Dances of Galánta, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, and Dvorak's Symphony No. 7. Tickets are available from the Sarasota Concert Association by going to SCASarasota.org o ..read more

She has had an amazing career in marketing and public relations for orchestras such as the Baltimore Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, and Atlanta Symphony, but in October of 2020, she moved to Sarasota to be the first executive director in the 78-year history of the Sarasota Concert Association. Take a listen to Linda Moxley's fascinating life and career while learning all about the history and current offerings of the Sarasota Concert Association. All that and more on this week's episode of the Suncoast Culture Club podcast. Come along and join the club! • Sarasota Concert Association Websi ..read more

He was the theater teacher and director at Booker's Visual and Performing Arts High School for 22 years, has directed shows at nearly every theatre house on the Suncoast, has won so many awards, we don't have room to list them here, and now he is working on a brand new project called On the Roof featuring the music of Carole King and James Taylor to open at the Venice Theatre in January. Join Amanda Schlachter and Robyn Bell on this week's Suncoast Culture Club podcast as they interview the incomparable Scott Keys in a quest to find his story, passions, and inspirations. What you will fin ..read more

The Pops Orchestra celebrates this holiday season with all your favorite Hollywood holiday film scores, featuring original movies made to the arrangements by four SCF Film students. Their teacher, Chris Bellanca, joins the Pops too as the featured narrator to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Join conductor Robyn Bell as she talks to Lake Simms, Max Sorba, Michael La Placa, and Delaney Recupero about their lives as budding film makers, their experiences in producing the films for this concert, and the future careers they envision for themselves. You have two opportunities to see this show: 1 ..read more

Robert Vodnoy brings almost 50 years of conducting experience to the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota, which he founded in 2017. They have grown from one concert a season to five, and Bob joins the club this week to tell us about the inception, growth, and planned upcoming season of his chamber orchestra, which begins on Thursday, December 1. You might also be able to answer the question, "Just what in the world IS a 'chamber orchestra!?'" All that and more on this episode of the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast. Come along and join the club! • Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota Website & Facebook ..read more

Eddie Weaver hails from Atlanta, was an acting apprentice for Florida Studio Theatre last year, and is now one of the four stars of FST's cabaret "The 70s: More Than a Decade," showing now through February 12 at the John C. Court Cabaret. Take a listen to Eddie's journey to the Suncoast, his dream to run his own theatre company in his hometown, and the best place in Sarasota to get pies, pasta, and chicken! All that and more on this week's episode of the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast. Come along and join the club! • Eddie Weaver Facebook & Instagram • Florida Studio Theatre Website & ..read more

Actors Morgan Lavenstein and Jake Fallon join the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast to talk about their lives, journey to the Suncoast, and this crazy, wacky, dark, raucous family comedy about a brother and sister who are launching a plot to kill their 100-year old grandfather, but only dialogue through the miscommunication laden platforms of text and email. Urbanite Theatre's production of "The Burdens" is running now through December 4. Get your tickets and experience this one-of-a-kind presentation. • Urbanite Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Morgan Lavenstein Fa ..read more

The Pops Orchestra welcomes Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe performers Amber Myers, Maicy Powell, CJ Melton, and Raleigh Mosely II  in presentation of The Spirit of America, featuring spirituals, gospel tunes, and anthems, along with stirring patriotic selections to honor our nation's veterans. Join conductor Robyn Bell as she talks to these four talented singers about their lives, careers with WBTT, and the importance of this music in the history of America and as part of America's gifts to the world. You have two opportunities to see this show: 1. Sunday, November 6 at 3:00 p.m. at the ..read more