Beaches Fine Arts Series enters its 54th season of concerts and community outreach this fall. BFAS was founded in 1972 to bring free concerts and educational programming to communities across the Beaches, and it continues to provide world-class musicians, ranging from classical to jazz to world music.
Performances are free to all, sustaining its mission to enrich communities by sharing the transforming power of music and art. Community outreach began with educational programs targeting Title I students, as well as master classes for advanced students. More recently, BFAS has expanded to provide free programs for retirement facilities; special needs adults at Pine Castle; the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind; and after-school programs for disadvantaged youth. The programs are award-winning, and BFAS has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Music Educators Association, as well as the Positively Jax Award from WJXT.
This year's season brings artists from the United States, Germany, Russia, the Czech Republic and Ireland. Each performer will also take part in outreach activities benefiting various sectors of the North Florida community. BFAS is often asked how it keeps the series free of charge while bringing in such highly regarded artists. The organization depends largely on individual donations from supporters, foundation support, grant support, corporate sponsorships and its major fundraiser, First Coast Dancing with the Stars. This year's event will be held at WJCT studios, with 10 participating Star/Pro pairs. More information is available at danceforbfas.com.
BFAS's home venue is St. Paul's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Jacksonville Beach, and this year, eight of its 10 concerts will be held there. The season opens Sunday, Oct. 11, with the Phaeton Piano Trio, three top international soloists from Germany performing Schubert, Beethoven and Saint-Saëns.
BFAS concerts will also be heard at St. John's Cathedral in downtown Jacksonville, where the organization presents its annual organ concert in memory of founder Jim Johnson, and at UNF's Lazzara Performance Hall, where BFAS partners annually with the UNF Jazz Studies Program/School of Music and its Great American Jazz Series.
More information about the concerts is available at beachesfinearts.org. Readers who would like advance notice of concerts can sign up there for the eblast list.
Kathy Wallis, Executive Director Beaches Fine Arts Series
