Time to enter Romanza Festivale of the Arts

Celebrating its third year as a Historic City News sponsor, Romanza Festivale, held this year between May 9th and May 18th, showcases St Augustine’s living culture: music, dance, theater, art, cuisine, heritage and romance.

In addition to headliners, dozens of independent arts, culture and heritage groups collaborate to present a wealth of street fairs, parades, concerts, plays, re-enactments, exhibits, tours and much more.

“The Festivale includes and showcases all St Johns County cultural organizations that choose to participate,” President Albert Syeles told local Historic City News reporters. “The mall effect allows organizations large and small an opportunity to participate-in and benefit-from a major advertising campaign.”

Romanza Festivale promotes art and culture in public places by getting audiences to walk around between shows and exhibits. The diverse offerings have something for everyone; young, old, families, couples, individuals, male, female, multiple faiths and ethnicities.

“They will enjoy all the beauty, wonder and creative energy of our unique city,” Syeles said.

Romanza’s mission is to promote and produce cultural events that showcase St Augustine’s vibrant living culture, that enhance the quality of life for residents and that create a positive lasting impression of the nation’s most romantic city for visitors.

Romanza’s vision is for St Augustine’s arts and culture to become world renowned as a cultural attraction.

Email your contact information today to RomanzaFL@gmail.com to be part of the excitement. Syeles explained, “Your only expense is $100 annual dues.”

Nonprofits, clubs, churches, and businesses (no political causes please) are invited to produce their own event during the Festivale and become Romanza Members, to take advantage of the Festivale’s exciting collaborative marketing campaign.

• Register by the publisher’s deadline of March 12 to get your event listed in the Romanza Festivale Commemorative Program Book. Other benefits also apply.
• Register by April 12 to have your organization’s event included in the Festivale website.

This year’s lineup includes:

• MUSIC
• First Coast Opera – “A Gershwin Evening”
• Linda Wills & Kathleen Vande Berg –“Classical Piano Treasures”
• North Florida Women’s Chorale
• Romanza – “Ray Charles Tribute starring Frank Rondell and the Roulettes” at Lewis Auditorium
• Romanza – Free Evening Concerts (9+ bands)
• Romanza – Troy Sneed’s “All is Well” Gospel Music Tour with Mama Blue at Lewis Auditorium
• St A. Beach Civic Assn. – Music at the Pier
• St Augustine Community Chorus – “French Masterworks”
• St Augustine Orchestra – “Spring Concert”
• St Augustine Youth Chorus
• St Cyprian’s Church – “Jazz Vespers”
• Sterry Piano Company’s “St Augustine Festival of Music”

• DANCE
• Blue Lotus Belly Dancers and Flamenco Dancers

• THEATRE
• A Classic Theatre – “Love, Loss and What I Wore”
• Lee Weaver’s One Person Shows – “The Secret”
• St George Players at the Colonial Quarter

• ART
• Amistad fair trade store
• Art Galleries of St Augustine – “Art Walk Festivale”
• Aviles Street Fair – galleries, restaurants and shops
• Calle Casa Artisans – Cuna Street’s art festival

• HERITAGE
• Boules de Petanque (European game)
• Lincolnville Farmers Market
• Maritime Heritage Foundation – boatyard/boat activities & historical interpretation
• Romanza Festivale Procession (St George Street)
• St Augustine Historic Walking Tours – food tours and six unique pub crawls
• St Augustine Pier Market

• CUISINE
• Anne O’Malley’s Pub (music, food and libations)
• HAWKE – “Dine on the Wild Side” at the Alligator Farm
• Maritime Heritage Foundation – “Pig Roast”
• Raintree Luncheon with Fashions by Fresh Produce
• St A. Beach Civic Assn. – “TASTE OF THE BEACH”

St Augustine’s Romanza Festivale of the Arts is sponsored in part by the St John’s County Tourist Development Council, by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.