On Saturday, December 28 from 4-7 p.m., join The Marker Key West Resort for a FREE pre-New Year’s Eve party featuring live music from Rob Benton! Sway to the tunes of guitar soloist Rob Benton with stunning waterfront views and a specialty Good Boy Vodka cocktail in hands. The Marker Key West Harbor Resort is ideally located on the Historic Key West Harbor, just steps from lively Duval Street. Escape the mainland mentality and embrace this modern waterfront resort. Learn more about this event at https://www.themarkerkeywest.com/location/calendar/

Continuing with its thrilling Icons & Rebels Masterworks season, South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) is proud to present its premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s satirical masterpiece Candide on Tuesday, January 14, at New World Center in Miami Beach. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. A pre-concert chat with Dr. Alan Mason will take place 30 minutes before the show at the New World Center featuring in-depth conversation and insights about the work and composer. Led by SFSO’s award-winning music director Sebrina María Alfonso, this semi-staged concert version of Candide follows in the manner of Lonny Price’s 2004 production for the New York Philharmonic, made popular through the PBS series “Great Performances.” Bernstein’s acclaimed masterpiece is played out with the orchestra, minimal sets and costumes, a dynamic cast of actor-vocalists featuring David Walton (Candide); Chelsea Lehnea (Cunegonde); Jason Zacher (Dr. Pangloss/Voltaire); Alissa Anderson (The Old Lady), Lovell Rose (Maximilian), and the South Florida Symphony Chorus performing all together on stage. Dan Wallace Miller provides stage direction. Experience Candide’s riotous journey as he embarks on a whirlwind adventure teeming with humor, unexpected twists, and profound philosophical reflections. Bernstein’s iconic music, adapted from Voltaire’s famed Enlightenment-era novella, sets the backdrop for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter and existential musings. An equal opportunity offender, Candide spares no one. Everything and everyone is fair game in this irreverent satire. From the over-the-top heights of Cunegonde’s “Glitter and Be Gay” and the rarely heard comedic duet “We Are Women” to the stirring depths of Candide’s introspective ponderings, audiences will enjoy a provocative perspective on life’s absurdities and the enduring pursuit of optimism. Now in its 27th season, SFSO invites audiences to a tantalizing season featuring upcoming works by Mozart, Strauss, Berlioz, Prokofiev and Bruckner. The concerts will take place in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Key West. From sold-out masterworks performances to accompanying today’s musicians such as Natalie Merchant and performing modern musical scores, South Florida’s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages and musical genres. This season’s popular collaborations included performances of ARRIVAL From Sweden: The Music of ABBA and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, featuring the iconic film screened live with audio and musical accompaniment. Tickets for Candide are on sale now beginning at $25. Buy tickets online at southfloridasymphony.org; by phone at (305) 673-3331; or in-person at the New World Center Box Office. For additional information, visit southfloridasymphony.org, call (954) 522-8445 or email info@southfloridasymphony.org.

Glitter and be gay! South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) is proud to open its 27th Key West Icons & Rebels Masterworks season with its premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s satirical masterpiece Candide! The concert will take place on Sunday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the Tennessee Williams Theatre at The College of the Florida Keys (5901 College Road). Led by SFSO’s award-winning music director and multi-generation Key West Conch native Sebrina María Alfonso, this semi-staged concert version of Candide follows in the manner of Lonny Price’s 2004 production for the New York Philharmonic, made popular through the PBS series “Great Performances.” Bernstein’s acclaimed masterpiece is played out with the orchestra, minimal sets and costumes, a dynamic cast of actor-vocalists featuring David Walton (Candide); Chelsea Lehnea (Cunegonde); Jason Zacher (Dr. Pangloss/Voltaire); Alissa Anderson (The Old Lady), Lovell Rose (Maximilian), and the South Florida Symphony Chorus performing all together on stage. Dan Wallace Miller provides stage direction. Experience Candide’s riotous journey as he embarks on a whirlwind adventure teeming with humor, unexpected twists, and profound philosophical reflections. Bernstein’s iconic music, adapted from Voltaire’s famed Enlightenment-era novella, sets the backdrop for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter and existential musings. An equal opportunity offender, Candide spares no one. Everything and everyone is fair game in this irreverent satire. From the over-the-top heights of Cunegonde’s “Glitter and Be Gay” and the rarely heard comedic duet “We Are Women” to the stirring depths of Candide’s introspective ponderings, audiences will enjoy a provocative perspective on life’s absurdities and the enduring pursuit of optimism. Now in its 27th season, SFSO invites Key West audiences to a tantalizing masterworks season featuring a Symphony premiere of J. Strauss, II’s The Blue Danube, R. Strauss’ Four Last Songs and Berlioz’ King Lear Overture on February 14, and Mozart’s enigmatic Requiem with special guest vocalists and the South Florida Symphony Chorus on March 15. From sold-out masterworks performances to accompanying today’s musicians such as Natalie Merchant and performing modern musical scores, South Florida’s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages and musical genres. This season’s popular collaborations included performances of ARRIVAL From Sweden: The Music of ABBA and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, featuring the iconic film screened live with audio and musical accompaniment. Tickets for Candide are on sale now beginning at $45. Season subscriptions are on sale, for the Key West Season at the Tennessee Williams Theatre. Tickets may be purchased by visiting southfloridasymphony.org or by calling (305) 295-7676. Subscribers receive a 20% discount off single ticket prices and have access to the best seats in the house. Three-concert packages in Key West start at $92; Flexible ticket packages are also available. For additional information, visit southfloridasymphony.org, call (954) 522-8445 or email info@southfloridasymphony.org.