Recapping The New Tampa Performing Arts Center’s 2nd Annual ‘Season Soirée’

One of my favorite things about the now-annual “Season Soirée at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC) is that it gives me the opportunity to zero in on the events in the NTPAC’s upcoming season that I definitely want to attend. I wish NTPAC executive director Keith Arsenault (right) could open up the Soirée to the general public so everyone could have the same opportunity I do to pick their upcoming favorites — even if Keith had to extend the soirée to multiple nights, instead of just the Thursday before the center’s annual “Arts Fest”. 

And let me tell you, there are a LOT of amazing events coming up in the NTPAC’s 2026- 27 season. Many of the shows and events I plan to attend this season are shown on these pages — from the New Tampa Players’ production of the musical “Come From Away” (below), which was nominated for seven 2017 Tony Awards on Broadway, winning Best Direction of a Musical for director Christopher Ashley — to the Tampa City Ballet (photo on next page)’s eight performances of “The Nutcracker” in December. “Come From Away” will be performed seven times over the next two weekends (Oct. 16-18 & Oct. 23-25). 

I’m also excited for this season’s appearance by the amazing coloratura soprano Daniella Mass (left), who created what is known as “Liri-Pop,” has appeared on “America’s Got Talent” (she really does!) and also sings during many Tampa City Ballet performances. 

Daniella will be appearing as part of NTPAC’s “New Tampa Unplugged” series on Sunday, November 22. 

There also are so many amazing piano performances coming up this season, including the Nikolov-West Duo (Top photo), featuring concert pianists Jane West (left in top photo) and Viktor Nikolov, performing with the Simon Lasky Trio in “Both Sides of (Dave) Brubeck” in a classical-meets-jazz NTPAC “Steinway Signature Series” performance on Saturday, May 1, 2027. 

Also part of the “New Tampa Unplugged” series is Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning Latin jazz pianist Lannie Battistini (right) on Sunday, May 23. 

Other upcoming performances I don’t want to miss (but don’t have pictures from the Season Soirée of) include : 

• The St. Pete Collective Band performing the Music of James Taylor on Friday, October 30 

• Sir Paul — The Paul McCartney Tribute on Saturday, March 20 

• Local Chicago tribute band Pieces of Eight’s return to the NTPAC on Saturday, June 5 

• Peace of Woodstock in concert on Saturday, June 26 

• And, of course NTP’s production of “Newsies” in July 

But honestly, there’s just so much more coming to NTPAC this season, from classical to jazz to musical theatre to “Puppy Pals Live” to the Black Honkeys, Taiko Drums of Japan and much more! 

For more info about NTPAC’s 2026-27 season visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org. — GN; all photos by Charmaine George