Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Hosts 32nd Annual Extravaganza
Saturday, Feb. 23
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, the Duval County high school for students with a passion for the performing and visual arts, hosts its 32nd annual showcase, Extravaganza, at the Moran Theater on Saturday, February 23. The showcase features some of the area’s most accomplished high school performers in dance, theater, vocal music, instrumental music, film, visual arts and creative writing.
“Extravaganza is the event that highlights the very best of student achievement at Douglas Anderson,” says Principal Melanie Hammer. “When you see our talented artists displaying their artistry onstage, you will witness an exhilarating tour de force that truly celebrates the arts and the processes we are teaching at DA.”
“Extravaganza will give North Florida residents a chance to see these awesome students perform before they head off to the top universities and conservatories in the world, as well as to Hollywood and Broadway,” Hammer continues.
Highlights of the evening include the DA Orchestra performing Dos Miniaturas Andaluzas by the blind Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo, a piece which conjures images of the bullfighting ring in Valencia; an original contemporary ballet, titled Say Something, choreographed by DA Ballet Director Rhonda Stampalia; an excerpt from the improvisational play East of the Sun, and West of the Moon featuring magnificent life-sized puppets; and a stirring rendition of Dizzy Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisia, performed by the award-winning DA Jazz Band.
Also performing is this year’s Shining Star alumni artist: Grammy-nominated drummer/singer Jamison Ross, a 2006 DA graduate. A former winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition for the drums, Ross will perform hits from his acclaimed album, All For One.
Extravaganza gets underway at 6:30 p.m. with a Visual Arts Gallery Exhibit in the theater lobby.
The performance in the theater begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Times-Union Box Office or Ticketmaster (904-353-3309), www.ticketmaster.com.
