Renowned Violinist Gil Shaham to 
Perform with Pensacola Symphony

 
Join the Pensacola Symphony for Russian 

Spectacular: Gil Shaham Plays Tchaikovsky 
on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Saenger Theatre. 
Renowned violinist and Grammy Award-
winner Gil Shaham will join the orchestra 
and Maestro Peter Rubardt for this annual 
celebration of music by Russian composers. 

“Lauded from New York to Paris to Berlin 

to Tokyo, Gil Shaham is quite simply at 
the peak of the violin super-elite,” said 
Rubardt. “This will be a night that we will all 
remember.”

Shaham is one of the foremost violinists of 

our time: his fl awless technique combined 
with his inimitable warmth and generosity 
of spirit has solidifi ed his renown as an 
American master. Named “Instrumentalist 
of the Year,” by “Musical America” in 2012, 
Shaham is sought after throughout the 
world for concerto appearances with leading 
orchestras and conductors. He was awarded 
an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1990, and 
in 2008, received the coveted Avery Fisher 
Prize. Shaham plays the 1699 “Countess 
Polignac” Stradivarius.

Shaham will be playing Tchaikovsky’s 

Violin Concerto, a piece that was initially 
deemed overly complicated and unusual, 
perhaps unplayable. Since its premiere 
in 1881, it has become a vital part of the 
repertoire for every established violinist. 
Quite simply, the work was so important that 
violin technique changed in response to it.

In addition to the Concerto, the 

program includes the sweeping romance 
of Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” and 
Stravinsky’s turbulent Symphony in Three 
Movements, which was inspired by the events 
of the Second World War. 

For more information, visit 

pensacolasymphony.com or call the 
Symphony offi ce, 850-435-2533.

54     |    VIPPensacola.com

Heritage Monitoring Scouts (HMS 
Florida) Training in Gulf Breeze

New public archaeology program trains 

citizen scientists how to monitor cultural 
sites threatened by erosion, storm surge, 
and sea level rise.

The Florida Public Archaeology Network 

(FPAN) and City of Gulf Breeze are hosting 
a Heritage Monitoring Scouts (HMS Florida) 
training on April 7th. This event is free 
and open to the public. RSVP with Nicole 
Grinnan at 850.595.0050 ext. 103 or at 
ngrinnan@uwf.edu to save your spot. This 
workshop is most appropriate for ages 12+. 
Participants must bring their own kayak or 
contact us for rental information.

HMS Florida is a public engagement 

program focused on tracking changes to 
archaeological sites at risk, particularly those 
impacted by climate change in the form of 
erosion and sea level rise.  This fun workshop 
teaches citizens how to become a Heritage 
Monitoring Scout. We will talk about threats 
to archaeological sites, how to identify some 
common site types and artifacts, and the 
best way to record and monitor sites. This 
workshop includes presentations in the 
morning at the Gulf Breeze Community 
Center, a break for lunch, a short kayak trip 
to Deadman’s Island, and some monitoring 
practice on site in the afternoon.       

As of 2013, Florida identifi ed 16,015 

historical resources to be impacted by a 
1-meter rise in sea level, with numbers 
reaching 34,786 impacted sites given a 
2-meter rise scenario. Of these, 2,908 
are archaeological sites (or 3,985 in the 
2-meter scenario). Additionally, 630 historic 
cemeteries are estimated to be at risk from 
storm surge. More information is needed to 
identify and manage the threat of erosion on 
archaeological sites.

For more information on the Heritage 

Monitoring Scouts program, visit fpan.us/
HMSfl orida.

UWF Dance Marathon Breaks 
Fundraising Record

The sixth annual University of West 

Florida Dance Marathon raised $60,890.59 
last weekend, exceeding this year’s goal of 
$55,000 and surpassing last year’s record of 
more than $43,000.

 The annual event is held in support of 

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a 
nonprofi t organization that raises funds for 
pediatric hospitals, medical research, and 
community awareness of children’s health 
issues. All proceeds from the 12-hour 
event at the UWF Commons Conference 
Center will be donated to the Studer Family 
Children’s Hospital, a Children’s Miracle 
Network Hospital at Sacred Heart Hospital in 
Pensacola.

“UWF Dance Marathon celebrated another 

successful donation drive,” said Dr. Joffery 
Gaymon, vice president for enrollment and 
student affairs. “I’m proud of our students 
who took part in the event and raised funds to 
benefi t the children and families in the care of 
Studer Family Children’s Hospital.”

The Miracle Network Dance Marathon 

is held at more than 300 locations across 
the country. At UWF’s Dance Marathon, 
more than 500 students stood and danced on 
their feet to raise funds. Overall, 22 teams 
participated in the event.

 Ashley Sepessy served as this year’s 

executive director for Dance Marathon. 
Sepessy, a junior majoring in hospitality, has 
been involved with Dance Marathon since she 
was a freshman.

  UWF fraternities and sororities, along 

with other student organizations, raised funds 
as teams.  

For more information about Fraternity and 

Sorority Life, visit uwf.edu/fsl.

54 Locale.indd   1

3/25/18   1:38 PM