Cultural Center to Celebrate Anniversary with 'Arts in the Park'

The Carrollwood Cultural Center opened its doors four years ago at the site of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, offering north Tampa's communities the opportunity to experience theatre, music and art closer to home than ever before.

To commemorate it's fourth anniversary, the Center is hosting its annual "Arts in the Park" event from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on March 24, and from noon until 5 p.m. on March 25 at the oak-shaded park behind the Center.

The free event will include an outdoor gallery of original artwork such as acrylics and watercolors, live entertainment, food vendors and hands-on activities for kids.

“Each year, we grow the event in new and interesting ways,” said Paul Berg, executive director at the Center. “We look forward to getting more and more community involvement.” 

Entertainers include the Center's youth theatre troupe, Broadway Bound, the Carrollwood Winds Concert Band and the Center's Community Chorus.

Local musician Jim Burge will perform with the Jazz Directions and his Sounds of Swing band. In addition, fiddling poet Ken Waldman will perfom in the park.

Officials at the Center, a nonprofit that was created after a partnership was formed between Hillsborough County and the Friends of the Carrollwood Cultural Center, try to find family-friendly events for the community that are convenient for locals.

"It's really neat, because we are situated in a residential area," said Adrienne Hutelmyer, marketing and community relations director for the Center. "People will walk their  dog and come from all sorts of directions."

For more information about the event, go to www.carrollwoodcenter.org.