SCF offers quality, affordable concerts; Dali Museum has a stunning VR app

One afternoon last week, I was walking across the State College of Florida campus and heard some pretty decent big-band jazz playing in the distance. It sounded even better when I got closer to where the band was playing (and almost no one was seeming to be paying attention).

Turned out it was the SCF Jazz Band, which I hadn’t even known existed. My friend who told me about the jazz band also told me about some other SCF music events that are coming up.

In the glut of great music we’re treated to around here, it’s easy to overlook college groups, both student and faculty, and that’s kind of a shame.

So here are a couple music programs coming up at SCF that may be worth checking out. They’re affordable – just $10 general admission and $5 for SCF students and employees.

On Thursday, the Wind Ensemble performs a concert titled “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” It’s at 7:30 p.m. at the Neel Performing Arts Center.

The program includes John Philip Sousa’s “Daughters of Texas March” and the poignant Warren Benson composition about John F. Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas, plus the premiere of Art Gottschalk’s “Concerto for Violin and Wind Ensemble” performed by violinist Felicia Brunelle.

On Dec. 7, the SCF Big Band & Jazz Combo performs “Jazz From Pearl Harbor: A Veteran’s Tribute” at 7:30 p.m. in the Neel Performing Arts Center.

The groups, led by SCF’s Pete Carney, re-create an NBC radio broadcast from Dec. 7 and perform Joe Clayton’s “Pearl Harbor Blues” and other tunes from era. Carney is a former member of the Tommy Dorsey Band.

Call 941-752-5252 or go to SCFtickets.com for tickets and information.

High-tech Dali

The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg is one of the coolest places on earth, but it’s not that easy for those in the Bradenton area to hop up there.

Now there’s an app for people who love Dali but don’t like the drive. “Dreams of Dali” lets you wander at your leisure through the landscape of Dali’s painting “Archaeological Reminiscence of Millet’s ‘Angelus.’ ”

The app is pretty great — it lets you virtually walk through the painting, traveling at your own pace, meandering anywhere you choose.

The app is only $2.99. If you have virtual reality glasses, or a few hundred bucks to buy some, the app provides an unforgettable immersive experience that lets you feel as though you’re a part of the painting. It’s like a walk through Dali’s imagination.

Go to thedali.org/exhibit/dreams-vr for details.

Bows of Holly

There’s a little extra Holly in store for you this holiday season. Also some additional Harry.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota has added a second performances of “Buddy — the Buddy Holly Story.” There had been only one performance scheduled, on Dec. 5. A few tickets are left for that one, but sales have been so strong that an additional performance has been set for 8 p.m. on Dec. 1.

That’s a Friday, so it might be a better option for some people. Tickets are on sale now. They’ll run you between $36 and $76. 941-953-3368, vanwezel.org.

Up in Tampa, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts has added a third performances of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert.” This is the second entry in the series of shows in which a live orchestra performs the score of a Potter film while the movie screens above the musicians.

The first installment of the series, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert,” was a huge hit at the Straz in September and October. The “Chamber of Secrets” event is now set from Dec. 28-30. You probably shouldn’t wait until the last minute to get tickets, even considering the extra show. Tickets are $49-$99. Tickets 813-229-7827, strazcenter.org .

This story was originally published November 9, 2017 at 5:32 PM with the headline "SCF offers quality, affordable concerts; Dali Museum has a stunning VR app."