Going Hollywood: Florida State's Opening Nights artist series announces new season
The 2025-2026 schedule was nearly blank when Kevin Maynard arrived from the Midwest for his new job as executive director of the Opening Nights (ON) performing arts series at Florida State University in early November.
The former director of ON left after she got engaged to a man in Bay County. Maynard, 37, who used to run Quad City Arts in Rock Island, Illinois, had to hit the ground running.
“There were only three shows scheduled, which is both amazing and terrifying,” Maynard said. “On one hand, you have a blank canvas, and on the other, you have a blank canvas. And you are new to the community. All of your area agency reps have changed, and you quickly realize that this season is going to be your introduction to the community. So, no pressure.”
He got busy. The 2025-2026 ON season was officially announced for an audience of backers the evening of July 10th at Moore Auditorium on the FSU campus.
The lineup includes bestselling author James Patterson, a blues concert presented by actor Morgan Freeman, a turn by Americana duo Shovels & Rope and an evening of live jazz with movie star Jeff Goldblum as the opener in early September.
“Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra has been on my list to book for years, and I am finally at a place where I can do that,” Maynard said. “Booking a season is a beautiful puzzle and sometimes the pieces fall into place perfectly. … Not a bad way to kick off a season.”
Early in October, a cadre of young blues musicians culled from Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club in the Mississippi Delta will perform live as Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience.
Oscar-winner Freeman is best known for starring in such films as “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Unforgiven” and “Driving Miss Daisy,” as well as his deep speaker /narrator voice. “Will he (Freeman) be here? It’s crazy to say, but yes,” Maynard said. “He loves this project and is thankful that we are an early adopter of it, so as a thank you he will be there to welcome the audience and enjoy the performance.”
In late September, Patterson, who has collaborated with former President Bill Clinton and country icon Dolly Parton in the past as co-writers, will arrive with current co-author Patrick Leddon. “Patterson is a prolific writer and has worked with (Vanderbilt professor) Patrick Leddon on his first book on business, ‘Disrupt Everything and Win,’” Maynard said.
“They both will be here talking about their new book. We will also talk with Patterson about his life, career, and what sparked his interest in this project. The best part, every audience member will receive a signed copy of the new book, one day before it is available to the public.”
Although the well-known names jump out, there are plenty rising stars such as alt-country singer Andrew Duhon and chamber orchestra Sphinx Virtuosi on the docket.
“The show that tops my list though is ‘Songs of the Bulbul,’” Maynard said.
“It is a dance piece by the Aakash Odedra Dance Company, and since I saw the world premiere, it is still the most beautiful piece of dance or theater I have ever seen. … I am also excited to see (genre-bending cellist) Okorie OkCello Johnson perform. OkCello will perform a new piece that combines loop pedals, video components, and incredible music. He is talented and engaging. OK, I will limit myself to two, but that is hard to do.”
Local talent is also not being ignored. Tallahassee singer-songwriter Del Suggs brings his annual Almost Christmas holiday show to ON in December. The non-stop Prism show, which showcases various ensembles from FSU’s band program, is back for more sonic blasts in February. ON is helping bring featured artist Noah Verrier to the annual Chain of Parks art festival, presented by LeMoyne Arts gallery in April.
“I want Opening Nights to have exciting seasons that reach a wider audience, with artists that make our community ask, ‘How did you get them to Tallahassee?’” Maynard said. “And artists that folks don’t know, but are willing to give them a try, and artists or performances that you will only find in Tallahassee.”
ON has been part of Tallahassee’s art scene for more than 25 years. Some of the past performers at ON include cellist Yo-Yo Ma, singer Mavis Staples, author Salman Rushdie, humorist David Sedaris, Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme (“Silence of the Lambs”), novelist Stephen King, writer Margaret Atwood, actor Danny Glover, sardonic songsmith Randy Newman, comic Joan Rivers, violinist Joshua Bell, country singer Willie Nelson, comedian Steve Martin in banjo mode, jazz ambassador-player Wynton Marsalis, food guru Anthony Bourdain, The Kronos Quartet and many more.
Mark Hinson is a former senior writer at The Tallahassee Democrat. He can be reached at mark.hinson59@gmail.com.
If you go
Depending on show and seating location, ticket prices to ON range from $30 to $135, which includes all fees. Visit openingnights.fsu.edu. Sponsor tickets go on sale July 14, with the public sale on Aug. 7.