By Jane Smith
The town of South Palm Beach will offer its popular Spotlight series of lectures and music, starting Jan. 8 with a piano concert by the Tokyo-born Yoko Sata Kothari.
The music selections are offered twice a month on Wednesdays through March. Robert Sharon, a concert pianist who is a Juilliard School of Music graduate, oversees the rest of the musical dates.
“I asked him to change up his music series each time,” said Rex Taylor, South Palm Beach town manager. “I believe he’s done a good job of it.” The culture program is in its 18th year.
Sharon, who chaired the Performing Arts Division at Wellington High School and received the William T. Dwyer Award of Excellence in Education, has this lineup scheduled: Tenor John Matz on Jan. 22, The Mims Family Singers on Feb. 5, bass singer Dean Peterson on Feb. 19, pianist Sharon on March 5 and musical theater on March 19.
On the alternate weeks, attendees can choose current affairs lectures on Wednesdays or Thursday nights.
This year, Taylor visited Florida Atlantic University’s Lifelong Learning Program to hear the lecturers speak.
“I try to offer a variety of speakers who can give more in-depth information than you’ll find on the local news,” he said.
He is also fond of catchy titles, such as “Why do intelligent people often behave so foolishly?” That lecture by psychologist Bert Diament will kick off the lecture series on Jan. 15 and 16.
Robert Watson, who is a professor and coordinator of American Studies at Lynn University, will speak on “America’s first crisis: The war of 1812” on Feb. 26 and 27.
“Dr. Watson has a following,” said Taylor, who looks for lecturers who can give an interesting talk.
Not every lecturer has a doctorate. Frank Cerabino, the local columnist for The Palm Beach Post, has a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University. He’s known for finding the humor in news, and that will be his topic when he speaks on Feb. 12 and 13.
Lecturers and musicians receive an honorarium between $1,000 and $2,000, Taylor said.
The Spotlight series, held in the town’s council hall, is open to the public. The lecture and music series cost $70 each. Individual tickets are sold if there is space available. For information, call 588-8889.
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