Festival of the Arts Boca 2024

March 1-10, 2024

It’s An Amazing Event 

The much-anticipated 18^th Annual Festival of the Arts takes place March 1-10 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, Boca Raton.

Established in 2007, Festival of the Arts BOCA was designed to promote the cultural arts and to enrich the quality of life of the residents of Boca Raton, North Broward and Palm Beach County through an extraordinary series of performing arts events and lectures every March.  The Festival has received numerous awards, most recently being named the No. 1 cultural event in the “Top 10 Florida Events for 2022” by Social Magazine.

Many luminaries from the classical arts have been featured at the Festival of the Arts BOCA, including Itzhak Perlman, Renee Fleming, Joshua Bell, and Pat Metheny. Award-winning authors such as Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Thomas Friedman have dropped in as well. Every year brings a lineup full of surprises, and it’s always entertaining. 

Daily Program

March 1

The much-anticipated 18^th Annual Festival of the Arts kicks off on March 1^st with a crescendo of jubilance, celebrating the centennial of the legendary maestro, Henry Mancini.  The air will be filled with timeless tunes that defined an era…think “Moon River” and “The Pink Panther,” brought to life by the renowned Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, Monica Mancini (Henry’s daughter) on vocals, and accompanied by an exclusive visual journey through the life of the iconic composer.  The show is a family affair, produced by multi-Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Gregg Field, Monica’s husband.

March 2

Prepare to be submerged into the depths of the ocean on March 2^nd, as the Festival brings you the Florida premiere of the legendary movie “Jaws” like you’ve never experienced before.  The cinematic masterpiece will come alive through the Festival Orchestra Boca, seamlessly synchronizing with the Academy Award-winning score by John Williams, most notable for the two-note ostinato which represents the shark.  

March 3

On March 3^rd in the afternoon, join a thought-provoking presentation led by Daisy Dowling, author of “Workparent” and founder of the movement with the same moniker, and executive coach.  She will navigate the audience through the enigmatic paths of how working parents can create successful, fulfilling lives, while raising happy kids.

In an exclusive recital performance on the evening of March 3^rd, the reigning queen of sopranos, Renée Fleming, returns to the Festival of the Arts Boca to enthrall the audience with her mesmerizing voice. 

March 4

As the Festival unfolds on March 4th, delve into the inspiring “Music and the Mind.”  Renée Fleming returns to the Mizner Park Amphitheater stage, exploring the profound connections between music and mental well-being.  As Artistic Advisor at Large to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Fleming has spearheaded a collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with the participation of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The Sound Health initiative explores and brings attention to research and practice at the intersection of music, health, and neuroscience.

March 5

On March 5^th, the Festival spotlights emerging talents from South Florida with the Rotary Club Future Stars Competition.  In collaboration with the Rotary Club of Boca Raton, this performance will showcase some of the top young singers and dancers in our own backyard.

March 6

The Authors & Ideas Program continues on March 6^th with Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, and former editor-in-chief of Wired magazine, who will unravel the mysteries of the “Wired Future” and how technology impacts our lives, aiming to guide us on how to use it most effectively.

March 7

On March 7^th, American poet and public speaker, Richard Blanco, will take the stage, offering profound insights through poetry and prose.  Selected by President Obama as the fifth Presidential Inaugural Poet in U.S. history, Blanco was the youngest, the first Latinx, immigrant and gay person to serve in that role.  In 2023, Blanco was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Biden from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

March 8

Surrender to the passion and fervor of the Barcelona Flamenco Ballet with Luxuria on March 8^th.  The Barcelona Flamenco Ballet introduces a new flamenco concept, preserving the root of the traditional dance with a captivating infusion of jazz and contemporary ballet.  A South Florida exclusive, this performance will echo in your heart long after the stage lights dim. 

March 9

On March 9^th, the multitalented Isaac Mizrahi will perform, “Hello Isaac,” his critically acclaimed cabaret show with an evening of laughter, design and song.  Fashion designer extraordinaire Mizrahi has directed productions of A Little Night Music and The Magic Flute for the Opera Theatre of St. Louis.  He has performed cabaret at Café Carlyle, Joe’s Pub, West Bank Café and City Winery locations throughout the U.S.  With “Hello Isaac,” he brings his six-piece jazz band, singing a range of tunes from the great American songbook, from classics to contemporary, and hilarious musings from politics to dieting to his latest Instagram obsessions.

March 10

On March 10^th, the Festival Boca Jazz Orchestra conducted by Kyle Prescott and featuring pianist Dominic Cheli, will mesmerize the audience with “100 Years of Rhapsody in Blue,” a tribute to George Gershwin’s iconic quintessentially American composition as it was premiered in 1924 with jazz band.  The performance will also include famous American jazz and swing band classics, with everyone invited to get up and dance to close the concert.

Tickets

Tickets for the 18^th Annual Festival of the Arts Boca range from $15 to $150 per person and are available at festivalboca.org or by calling 561-757-4762 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. starting November 1^st.  Admission to the Rotary Club Future Stars Competition is free.

More Fun Things to Do

Boca Raton is the perfect place for connoisseurs of the arts, but it’s also a major destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Stroll the wonderful plazas and tour the art exhibits at the Boca Raton Museum of Art, or enjoy the abundance of luxury boutiques and national retailers. You can also dive the blue waters, or check out the amazing parks and beaches. Boca Raton will keep your interests high and heart engaged.