Home > Live! at Dowling Park Artist Series Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Live! at Dowling Park Artist Series Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Thirty years ago, Advent Christian Village’s Dick Grillo put together the first artist series season. At the time, Advent Christian Village (ACV) was approaching its 75th anniversary, and became Florida’s first retirement community to initiate and host an artist series for its own members as well as the surrounding communities. The final performance of the very first season was the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, playing to a full house in the new Village Church sanctuary.

Live! at Dowling Park’s 30th season of bringing live music, dance, drama, education, and more to rural north Florida will be its largest season yet, featuring 11 performances over nine months: September 2017 through May 2018.

A Night of Flamenco Dance and Spanish Guitar

Monday, Sept. 4, 2017 • 6:00 p.m. Dessert • 7:00 p.m. Show

Flamenco dancer Esther Suarez and guitarist José Moreno invite you to join them for an unforgettable night of impressive guitar playing, captivating singing, and mesmerizing dancing. Esther and José are excited to once again bring some Spanish culture to Dowling Park.

San Marco Chamber Music Society

Monday, Sept. 18, 2017 • 7:00 p.m.

The San Marco Chamber Music Society was founded in 2008 after performing in an annual benefit concert for diabetes research in San Marco, a neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida. A majority of the chamber are full-time musicians in the Jacksonville Symphony. They spend the time practicing and performing as the San Marco Chamber Music Society to share their passion for music with people who don’t get the chance to attend symphony concerts.

An Evening with C.S. Lewis: “My Life’s Journey”

Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017 • 7:00 p.m.

The year is 1963, and C.S. Lewis, the now-famous British author, is in the twilight years of his life. Lewis is in his element as he hosts a group of American writers at his home just outside Oxford, telling them the stories of his associations, his writing, his family, his faith, and his great love for his late wife, Joy. Actor David Payne captures the essence of the man who created the Narnia Chronicles in an enthralling, laughter-filled and poignant performance.

Singer Larry Ford and Pianist Alan Curtis Tripp

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017 • 7:00 p.m.

From the sounds of grand opera to the stages of Southern Gospel, Grammy winner Larry Ford has found audiences responding to his commanding voice. Larry’s facility with language has made it possible for him to carry his message in song to more than 30 foreign countries. Because of this passion, he has been described as “gospel music’s ambassador to the world.”

At the age of nine, Alan Curtis Tripp began studying piano under the teaching of his grandmother. At age 13, he studied with a concert pianist. By age 14, he was presenting full piano concerts. He has spent much of his adult life as a self-employed concert pianist, performing in Canada, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, France, Ireland, Morocco, and throughout 45 U.S. states including Alaska. In addition to performing live, he spends much of his time arranging and composing original music.

Gainesville Pops Christmas Concert

Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 • 3:00 p.m.

Modeled after the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Gainesville Pops of Gainesville, Florida, presents a variety of music, including light classical, Broadway show tunes, Hollywood soundtracks, popular hits, and jazz standards. Come enjoy the Gainesville Pops matinee concert, then stay to enjoy supper in Dowling Park, followed by Bethlehem and Beyond, a free live, outdoor presentation of the life of Christ, which will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Eleanor Roosevelt Reflects Across the Decades

Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 • 7:00 p.m.

Throughout a public life that spanned many decades, even though Eleanor Roosevelt was never elected to office, she wielded the power of words. Actress Susan Marie Frontczak brings the iconic “ER” to life, analyzing the words that influenced her, words that rallied the country in the past, and words that can inspire us all today.

Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass

Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 • 7:00 p.m.

Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass will once again present hymn classics with a contemporary flair at ACV. The King’s Brass is comprised of professional musicians from across the country who desire to use the instruments they love to lead others in praise. Each concert is a time of innovative worship.

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018 • 7:00 p.m.

Just as it was in the legendary Glenn Miller’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is the most sought-after big band in the world today. The 18-member ensemble plays not only many of the original Miller arrangements, it also plays some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound.

Bobby Horton Presents “The Long Steel Rail in America”

Thursday, March 1, 2018 • 7:00 p.m.

“The Long Steel Rail in America” explores the development of the American railroad system as one of the most important phenomena of the Industrial Revolution. It brought forth profound social, economic and political change to our young country. Through songs and stories, Bobby Horton celebrates the American railroad.

The Merling Trio — Violin, Cello and Piano

Friday, April 27, 2018 • 7:00 p.m.

The Merling Trio is recognized as one of today’s premier ensembles. A truly international trio, it brings together musicians from Polish, Japanese and Dutch backgrounds. The Merling Trio has been hailed as a brilliantly distinguished group endowed with remarkable gifts of communication, magnificent precision, and an impeccable blend of sound.

Gainesville Pops Patriotic Concert

Saturday, May 26, 2018 • 3:00 p.m.

The Gainesville Pops will return to ACV in the Spring to present its annual Armed Forces Salute Concert.

Ticket Information

Tickets for nine of the 11 performances are $15 for Advent Christian Village members and staff, $17 for all other adults, $7 for students, and free for children who are not yet in school. There is no ticket price for either of the Gainesville Pops concerts, but a $5 donation is requested from each attending adult.

Season tickets may be purchased at any point during the artist series season. Prior to the first concert on Sept. 4, season tickets cost $110 for ACV members and staff, $125 for all other adults and $35 for students. Those with Live! at Dowling Park season tickets may take advantage of the reciprocity agreement ACV holds with both North Florida Community College in Madison, Florida, and Community Concerts of Lake City, Florida. The agreement allows season ticket holders to attend the other two artist series seasons as well for no additional cost.

Tickets may be purchased from the ACV cashier (386-658-5343), in Live Oak at either The Music Center or Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce, or at the door as space allows.

For more information, call (386) 658-5291.