\n
For two years now, the New Tampa Performing Arts Center has been a beacon for fans of music, theater and dance in north central Hillsborough County, southern Pasco and environs.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t feel up to schlepping to a downtown theater? Say hello to a 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art venue, with top-shelf sound, lights and video, and a massive stage with full-sized cyclorama.<\/p>\n
The county paid $7.5 million to construct this 354-seat facility, nestled between subdivisions and golf courses, a stone\u2019s throw from Bruce B. Downs Boulevard (the area is literally and legally known as New Tampa).<\/p>\n
This weekend, you can experience it without spending a nickel.<\/p>\n
The New Tampa Performing Arts Center\u2019s annual Arts Festival, Friday through Sunday, is a \u201cget acquainted\u201d event \u2013 there are performances from a variety of local companies and soloists all weekend long.<\/p>\n
And, said manager Keith Arsenault, \u201cit\u2019s a great chance for families to introduce their children to the performing arts,\u201d because Saturday morning The Florida Orchestra is bringing its \u201cinstrument petting zoo,\u201d which allows little ones to look at, touch, hear and learn about orchestral instruments.<\/p>\n
(There\u2019s also a 10 a.m. screening of Disney\u2019s 1991 animated musical Beauty and the Beast<\/em>.)<\/p>\nLocal theater groups Hat Trick, Outcast and the New Tampa Players have programs planned, as well as students from the University of South Florida Musical Theater program.<\/p>\n
Classical performers include pianist Vincent Pham, and featured vocalists from the St. Petersburg Opera Company.<\/p>\n
The New Tampa Performing Arts Center is located at 8550 Hunters Village Road in Tampa. Visit the website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Festival Schedule<\/h2>\n
All events and performances are free to attend. In addition to mainstage acts, the festival will showcase lobby performances by both professional and student artists throughout the weekend.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Friday, Sept. 12 \u2013 Doors open at 5 p.m. <\/strong><\/p>\nStudio 1 <\/strong><\/p>\n5:45 p.m.: Outcast Theatre<\/p>\n
7:45 p.m.: Cultural Arts Theater<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Studio 2A <\/strong><\/p>\nBackstage Tours at: 5 and 6 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theater <\/strong><\/p>\n7 p.m.: \u00a0Wattaka Choir\u00a0<\/p>\n
8:15 p.m.: Jansen Dance Project\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Saturday, Sept. 13 \u2013 Doors open at 9:30 a.m. <\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Studio 1\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n5 p.m.: Winold Music Festival<\/p>\n
6:45 p.m.: USF Musical Theatre Program\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Studio 2A\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n9:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.: Florida Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo<\/p>\n
Backstage Tours at: 12:15, 1:45 and 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theater <\/strong><\/p>\n10 a.m.: Film screening: Disney\u2019s Beauty and The Beast<\/em> (1991)\u00a0<\/p>\n1 p.m.: Entertainment Revue\u00a0<\/p>\n
2:15 p.m.: \u00a0Hillsborough College Music Department\u00a0<\/p>\n
3:30 p.m.: Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival featuring Vincent Pham (solo piano)<\/p>\n
4:45 p.m.: Hat Trick Theatre and Tales of Mild Interest\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n6 p.m.: Anna Dance Academy\u00a0<\/p>\n
7:30 p.m.: Tampa City Ballet\u2019s Cinderella<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sunday, Sept. 14 \u2013 Doors open at 12:30 p.m. <\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Studio 1 <\/strong><\/p>\n1:15 p.m.: Countdown Improv\u00a0<\/p>\n
3 p.m.: Devine Madness Sketch Comedy<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Studio 2A\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\nBackstage Tour at 3:15 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theater <\/strong><\/p>\n1 p.m.: Cypress Creek Jazz Band<\/p>\n
2:15 p.m.: Rudram Dance Company\u00a0<\/p>\n
3:45 p.m.: New Tampa Players\u00a0<\/p>\n
5 p.m.: St. Petersburg Opera Company, with special performance by Tampa City Ballet<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.stpetecatalyst.com\/uploads\/2025\/09\/New-Tampa-PAC-Florida-Orchestra-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n