Celebrations in Symphony

In an effort to keep minds from slipping into recession — and worse yet, depression — the University of Miami’s monthlong 23-concert Festival Miami music series is knocking down prices and spreading its shows to venues across South Florida. The first can’t-believe-elegance-was-so-affordable event comes in the form of an opening gala at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Adrienne Arsht Center. It features Academy Award-winning composer John Corigliano and the Frost School of Music’s symphony orchestra, chorale, and wind ensemble.

On Friday, the center revs up our resilience via black spirituals performed by the Ritz Chamber Players, and on Saturday, the Arsht hosts pianist Dean Shelly Berg and Frost faculty artists to honor the upbeat finger gymnastics of the school’s acclaimed professor, Ivan Davis. Musical diversions continue for the rest of the month. Drown your frustrations in the compassionate rock and blues of Bruce Hornsby and Steve Miller at Broward’s BankUnited Center during “Creative American Music” week — October 21 through 26 — or ease your troubled mind with two weeks of jazz from October 16 through 19; then dance like you got diamonds on the soles of your shoes during the rhythmic “Music of the Americas” week from October 29 through November 3. For tickets, call 305-284-4940, or visit www.festivalmiami.com.
Oct. 9-Nov. 3, 2008