Photogenic Tallahassee: Help symphony celebrate bicentennial with your photos

Special to the Tallahassee Democrat
·2 min read
The sun sets on the Tallahassee skyline Tuesday, August 3, 2019.
The sun sets on the Tallahassee skyline Tuesday, August 3, 2019.

Tallahassee will soon have a big birthday and help is needed to document its beauty, its people and its personality for the occasion.

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra seeks photographs of Tallahassee to feature in a special visual-audio performance celebrating the city’s bicentennial in January, 2024. The photos will be submitted through a portal found on the TSO’s website.

With her little cousin Jayden Thomas, 3, napping in her arms, Za-Kenya Byfield, 12, enjoys the water splashing against her head at the Cascades Park splash pad Sunday, June 23, 2019.
With her little cousin Jayden Thomas, 3, napping in her arms, Za-Kenya Byfield, 12, enjoys the water splashing against her head at the Cascades Park splash pad Sunday, June 23, 2019.

All residents are encouraged to share their own images of our community’s festivals, favorite events, and special places; the Red Hills region’s breathtaking beauty and diversity, including recreational activities (like biking, paddling and running); favorite places to dine, be with family or friends, or enjoy nightlife; favorite teams and sporting events; arts experiences in all their pageantry; treasured landmarks and murals.

Rima Nathan and Vincent Scotese explore Cascade Lake, which was drained by a sinkhole and left the cypress trees appearing larger than before with the full trunks exposed Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
Rima Nathan and Vincent Scotese explore Cascade Lake, which was drained by a sinkhole and left the cypress trees appearing larger than before with the full trunks exposed Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

Also welcome are photos that document volunteerism and spiritual gatherings of churches, synagogues, and mosques (or other); personal portraiture; and sweet acts of kindness among our residents.

The submitted images should highlight the things that make Tallahassee a special place to live and visit, as seen through the photographer’s own eyes.

The photos will become part of a visual-symphonic work titled “200 Years of Tallahassee — A Symphonic Celebration of our City.” Nicholas Bardonnay, a multimedia artist of the California-based production company Westwater Arts, will create this unique tribute to our city through “photochoreography” — an artform that blends panoramic photography with live classical music.

Groups and organizations take to Monroe Street tossing candy and beads as they participate in the annual Springtime Tallahassee parade Saturday, April 1, 2023.
Groups and organizations take to Monroe Street tossing candy and beads as they participate in the annual Springtime Tallahassee parade Saturday, April 1, 2023.

Using multiple digital projectors, Bardonnay will live-cue the photos and project them onto a 440-square-foot screen flown above the orchestra while it performs music by Duke Ellington, perfectly capturing the spirit of the community.

Sponsored by Capital City Bank, “200 Years of Tallahassee” will be among the first events celebrating Tallahassee’s bicentennial.

“Our ‘200 Years of Tallahassee’ project will bring the Tallahassee community to the forefront, where residents and audience members become co-collaborators with the TSO and myself,” said Bardonnay. “With Tallahassee being such a creative, multicultural, and historically rich city, I'm positive we’ll have plenty of amazing surprises from the talented folks submitting photos.”

More than 150 artists showcase their work at LeMoyne’s 23rd Annual Chain of Parks Art Festival on Saturday, April 15, 2023.
More than 150 artists showcase their work at LeMoyne’s 23rd Annual Chain of Parks Art Festival on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

Photographers can submit an unlimited number of images at tallahasseesymphony.org/bicentennial. Additional specifications for the photos are located on the website. The deadline for photo submissions is Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.

Conductor: Next year will be Darko Butorac's final season with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra

Now in its 43rd season, the mission of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra is to “engage, enrich and inspire people at all stages of life through great music.” Led by Maestro Darko Butorac, the orchestra’s programming includes classical, popular, and educational initiatives each season, including several free community events.

For additional information visit tallahasseesymphony.org/bicentennial or call 850-224-0461.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Photogenic Tallahassee: Help symphony celebrate bicentennial with photos