Sign up to win prizes and for exclusive updates about this year’s festival

April 24-26, 2026

Word of South

Pharaohs of Funk

The Pharaohs of Funk is led by Kirk Gavin and Aaron Watson, a dynamic duo with over a decade of experience captivating audiences across the U.S. and internationally as the acclaimed Tallahassee Horns. Renowned for their versatility and artistry, the Tallahassee Horns have performed alongside iconic legends such as George Clinton, Fred Wesley, Ricky Dillard, […]

Read More…

Mark Mustian

Mark Mustian is the author of the novels The Return and The Gendarme, the latter a finalist for the Dayton International Literary Peace Prize and shortlisted for the Saroyan International Award for Writing. It won the Florida Gold Book Award for Fiction and has been published in ten languages. The founder and president of Word […]

Read More…

Maddy Walsh and The Blind Spots

Maddy Walsh

Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots, a tenured, original, five-piece moxy rock band steered by magnetic songstress and force of nature Maddy Walsh, celebrated its fifteen-year “bandiversary” with a sizzling east coast tour. Their recently released fourth studio album, Talk, showcases a matured grasp of songwriting, paired, as always, with the band’s signature electrifying, high-energy performances characterized […]

Read More…

Mandy Stringer

Dr. Amanda (Mandy) Stringer has been CEO of the TSO since 2010. Under her leadership the TSO has greatly expanded its reach into the Tallahassee Community, and has achieved budget growth of 233% through increased annual fund donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants. Mandy is active in the industry’s national association—the League of American Orchestras (LAO)—and […]

Read More…

Pat MacEnulty

Pat MacEnulty is the author of a historical novel series, crime novels, memoirs, a short story collection, children’s plays, and most recently, the historical coming-of-age novel, Cinnamon Girl (Livingston Press, Sept. 2023). She has a Ph.D. in English from the Florida State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida, where she […]

Read More…

Amythyst Kiah

Amythyst Kiah

On her new album Still + Bright, Tennessee-bred singer/songwriter Amythyst Kiah explores the vast expanse of her inner world: her deep-rooted affinity for Eastern philosophies and spiritual traditions, a near-mystical connection with the natural environment, the life lessons learned in her formative years as a self-described “anime-nerd mall goth,” and much more. Produced by Butch […]

Read More…

Kaleb Thompkins

Kaleb Thompkins

Kaleb Thompkins is an emerging bassist from Tallahassee, Florida, whose musical journeybegan in his family’s church. His musical DNA is a fusion of jazz, R&B, funk, gospel, and hip-hop—each influenced by legends like B.B. King, James Brown, Donny Hathaway, Christian McBride, and Marvin Gaye. Currently pursuing a graduate degree in Jazz Performance at Florida State […]

Read More…