Franklin Institute to Open Star Wars Experience

A Virginia pianist headlines Let Them Soar, presenting works by women composers from across 300 years and pairing performances with stories to broaden accessibility. The Franklin Institute will host Star Wars: The Experience, a large, immersive exhibition for the Star Wars’ 50th anniversary featuring artifacts and interactive, RFID-powered elements. Jacksonville singer-songwriter Alyse Dione spoke about her musical journey and her single Strawberry Moon on River City Live, highlighting her storytelling and local ties. Irish indie pop artist Sarah Crean released Dreamer with Essence Martins and is preparing a second album, Heirloom, rooted in Calypso-inspired themes and created largely by women. Daisy The Great’s Mina Walker and Kelley Dugan discussed their latest album, The Rubber Teeth Talk With Friends, and a set of reimagined tracks with notable collaborators, along with a planned tour to China. Together, these items illustrate a vibrant, diverse landscape in contemporary music and arts, spanning live performance, studio projects, and major museum-scale exhibitions with cross-border collaborations.