I am thrilled to share that the South Florida Pride Concert Band is kicking off its 41st season with Waves and Wanderers on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 7PM at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Presented by The Bears of South Florida, this concert promises an extraordinary evening of music that takes audiences on an evocative journey through rain, rivers, oceans, and the spirit of discovery.
In Waves and Wanderers, water becomes both landscape and storyteller as the band explores music inspired by the power, beauty, and mystery of the natural world. The program moves between moments of tranquility and celebration, taking listeners from familiar shores to faraway places while inviting everyone to reflect, dream, and wander.
It is especially exciting to celebrate a major new chapter for this incredible organization as Sara Cowley steps into her role as the new Artistic Director. She succeeds Dan Bassett, who served as Artistic Director for 20 years. A longtime member of the band who joined in 2012, Sara served as Assistant Artistic Director for the past nine years and is wonderfully prepared to lead the organization into the future.
“I am honored to lead the South Florida Pride Concert Band into this exciting new chapter,” said Cowley. “This organization has an incredible legacy built on music, community and pride, and I look forward to honoring that history while continuing to expand our outreach and create programming that reflects the diversity and spirit of South Florida.”
A Miami native, Sara is a trumpet and percussion player who earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in music from the Frost School of Music. With women representing fewer than 10% of band directors, her appointment marks a monumental milestone as she takes the helm of Florida’s oldest LGBTQ arts organization.
“For a Pride arts organization, visibility and belonging are at the core of our mission, but I also want us to be known for artistic excellence,” Cowley said. “I don’t think inclusion and excellence are competing ideas. I think they make each other stronger.”
With music capturing the calm of gentle waters, the force of crashing waves, and the excitement of setting out toward the unknown, Waves and Wanderers promises an evening of powerful performances and imaginative storytelling. For more than four decades, the South Florida Pride Concert Band has brought music, pride, and community to South Florida, and I urge everyone to go out and support this fantastic show.
Tickets are $45–$50. www.ParkerPlayhouse.com (954) 667-9228 Info@SouthFloridaPrideBands.org
