MAHAFFEY THEATER
With its elegant design, plush lobby and breathtaking glass-walled atrium offering a georgeous view of Tampa Bay, The Mahaffey Theater is the luxurious center of beautiful downtown St. Petersburg. It’s a magnificent performing arts center, with three levels of European box-style seating, state-of-theart sound and lights, and an unparalleled yearround schedule that brings in the finest, and most popular, entertainers. From legendary singers like Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson, to rock greats including Todd Rundgren, Brian Wilson and Alanis Morissette, The Mahaffey’s lineup is everchanging, the better to reflect the diverse preferences of every person in our community. Why, in 2016 alone, The Mahaffey’s brilliant bill-offare has been both varied and vivid: William Shatner reminisced and cracked jokes, Celtic Woman told tales of Ireland through song, the magicians of “Masters of Illusion” thrilled and chilled, and the audience went wild for the musical madness of “Weird Al” Yankovic. A classical music fan? The award-winning Florida Orchestra performs regularly at The Mahaffey during its annual October-to-May season. In fact, the orchestra – currently under the musical direction of famed conductor Michael Francis – has had a home at The Mahaffey since the late 1970s. It was known as the Bayfront Theater then, part of the City’s expansive Bayfront Center complex. Constructed in 1965, the complex encompassed a 7,000-seat sports and entertainment arena and a relatively intimate 2,000-seat theater. 64
Best of Tampa Bay