Screening of “West Side Story” with accompaniment by Festival Orchestra-BOCA opened the festival.

By Rachel Galvin

Every year, since 2007, the Festival of the Arts has turned Mizner Park in Boca Raton into a mecca for those seeking art and culture. Held March 6 to 15, the festival included music, dance, film, book talks with award-winning journalists and more. The festivities began with a screening of the classic film “West Side Story” with Leonard Bernstein’s music brought to life by Festival Orchestra – BOCA. On March 4, author Jamie Bernstein also talked about her book about her father and his legacy.

The weekend continued with a screening of the documentary “Girl Rising,” a film focused on the importance of giving girls an education, followed by a discussion moderated by Barbara Schmidt, founder of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life. Included in the panel was Per Loof, a director of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch and Julie Hogan, deputy statewide prosecutor of the Attorney General Office of Statewide Prosecution. At night, banjo superstars Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn played. Sunday included a talk by Richard Ford, a Pulitzer prize-winning author talking about his book “Let Me Be Frank With You,” and a performance by the International Stars of Ballet.

The festival of the Arts continued weeklong so there was plenty of opportunity to enjoy, including a Mozart concert with Festival Orchestra – BOCA and a talk by author Lucinda Franks with a concert later by Young People’s Chorus of New York City and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Master Chorale of South Florida, Festival Orchestra – BOCA and soloists. The last day included a talk by author and radio personality Martin Goldsmith.

For details on all events, visit www.festivaloftheartsboca.org.

A discussion followed screening of “Girl Rising” opening weekend. Pictured (L to R): Per Loop, Julie Hogan, Congressman Ted Deutch, Barbara Schmidt.