Straz Center Hosting Free Veteran Civilian Arts Ensemble Meet & Greet Sept. 13

The Straz Center for the Performing Arts is inviting veterans, active military and civilians to come together for a special creative opportunity this month.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, the Straz will host a free Meet & Greet for its Veteran Civilian Arts Ensemble (VCAE). The event begins at 3:30 p.m. in the TECO Theater.

The ensemble is designed to build bridges between veterans and civilians through shared artistic experiences. Participants work together in a safe, collaborative space to foster understanding, camaraderie and connection. The program blends elements of both performing and visual arts, with the goal of eventually creating a public performance piece.

The Sept. 13 gathering will give attendees the chance to meet instructors, current ensemble members and other potential participants. Anyone interested in joining the free program is encouraged to attend. Veterans are invited to explore how the arts can support reintegration into civilian life, while civilians gain a deeper appreciation for the veteran experience.

The group typically meets weekly and concludes the season with a Veteran Civilian Arts Ensemble Showcase, a performance that is free and open to the public.

The Meet & Greet and the program are free of charge, but RSVP is required at Straz Center VCAE Meet & Greet. For more details, email communityprograms@strazcenter.org.

The Veteran Civilian Arts Ensemble is part of the Straz Center’s Straz Salutes program, funded in part by Real-Time Labor Guide, Rise8, and the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For information about this and other Straz Center events, visit www.strazcenter.org.