Blues

Resident artists Zach Bartholomew and Mark Sanders return with a variety of jazz and cabaret performances. Joining Hotel California, Bee Gees Now and Chicago Transit are new tribute acts Sabbath: Long Live Ozzy, The Brit Pack and Given to Fly. The theatre company brings “Dear Evan Hansen,” “The Diary of Anne Frank” and “Oklahoma!” to the stage, along with a staged reading of an original new musical, “Velvet Curtain.” The Bonita Improv Group returns for a third season. And laughs abound with a host of new and returning stand-up comedy acts.

Multi-award-winning Blues musician, songwriter, painter, and craftsman James “Super Chikan” Johnson visited Florida Gulf Coast University this past spring to speak to students and make a couple of performances at Artis-Naples. During his visit he stopped by the WGCU studios for conversation about his life’s journey through music, his handcrafted instruments made from recycled parts, and how he got his stage name.

Multi-award-winning Blues musician, songwriter, painter, and craftsman James “Super Chikan” Johnson visited Florida Gulf Coast University this past spring to speak to students and make a couple of performances at Artis-Naples. During his visit he stopped by the WGCU studios for conversation about his life’s journey through music, his handcrafted instruments made from recycled parts, and how he got his stage name.

Blues musician/instrument maker James “Super Chikan” Johnson

Our annual music review takes a look back at some of the great music featured on Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition in 2024, including a new album from the rock band Rosaline, new solo music from Southwest Florida-based musician Caleb Vilca, Tampa-based blues/roots musician Damon Fowler, and Delta Blues musician Anthony “Big A” Sherrod.

Our annual music review takes a look back at some of the great music featured on Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition in 2024, including a new album from the rock band Rosaline, new solo music from Southwest Florida-based musician Caleb Vilca, Tampa-based blues/roots musician Damon Fowler, and Delta Blues musician Anthony “Big A” Sherrod.

Tampa-based blues, roots rock and sacred steel musician Damon Fowler performs Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Alliance for the Arts’ “Art Is Essential” bash. Ahead of the concert, we’ll talk with Fowler about his musical journey and hear songs from his latest album “Barnyard Smile.”

Delta Blues guitarist, bassist and vocalist Anthony “Big A” Sherrod performed live in studio while in Southwest Florida for a Big A & The All Stars concert at Florida Gulf Coast University earlier this month. We’ll hear music and conversation from Sherrod along with Delta Blues documentarian, organizer and advocate Roger Stolle.

Delta Blues guitarist, bassist and vocalist Anthony “Big A” Sherrod performed live in studio while in Southwest Florida for a Big A & The All Stars concert at Florida Gulf Coast University earlier this month. We’ll hear music and conversation from Sherrod along with Delta Blues documentarian, organizer and advocate Roger Stolle.

Delta Blues guitarist, bassist and vocalist Anthony “Big A” Sherrod performed live in studio while in Southwest Florida for a Big A & The All Stars concert at Florida Gulf Coast University earlier this month. We’ll hear music and conversation from Sherrod along with Delta Blues documentarian, organizer and advocate Roger Stolle.