Art Keeble had very specific instructions for the days and weeks after his death. One of them was to tell anyone wanting to send flowers to instead make a contribution to the Tampa Theatre.
Last Saturday, Keeble’s friends and family—who flocked to the storied arts advocate throughout his life—filled the historic theater and followed through with the plans for his celebration of life.
Keeble, who founded Ybor City’s Saturday market and led the Arts Council of Hillsborough County for more than three-decades, died on Jan. 25 from complications related to ongoing health issues. He planned his own funeral and called it “Bloom where you are planted.”
The celebration happened last Saturday, Feb. 18 at Tampa Theatre where there was a short film “Hush Hoggies Hush: Tom Johnson’s Praying Pigs,” some Nina Simone (“That’s All I Want From You”) and a performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth” by Tampa’s own Belinda Womack.
One of the twinkling stars on the theater’s ceiling was named for Keeble.
Kuumba Dancers & Drummers performed, encouraging the audience to dance along and join in on a crowded reception followed in the lobby.
