Bradenton-based artist and muralist Richie Brasil heads to Ybor City this weekend where he will participate in Saturday night’s graffiti art exhibition Crime In The City. Organized by MF Arts Ybor, more than a dozen graffiti and street artists from the region will join in this celebration of the form, exhibiting completed works and installations as well as creating new pieces in real-time for the event audience accompanied by live music from DJ Qeys, Samurai Shotgun, Bangarang and more. Admission costs $10.

Taking its name from the iconic work of graffiti artist Skeme, who sprayed his statement double-wide on a pair of New York City subway cars in the 1980s—“All You See Is Crime In The City”—the exhibit seeks to again juxtapose the power of street art and hip-hop culture to address social issues of the day and that same form’s longstanding marginalization or criminalization by the greater community. The “lesser of evils” in most impoverished areas, said Brasil, graffiti actually represents a choice that should, next to available alternatives, be respected if not outright encouraged. “For me, it was the lesser of all evils,” he said. “It gave me an outlet and it gave me a voice. And that’s what graffiti is for most.”

There is, he added, an important distinction between graffiti (or street art) and vandalism. "Vandalism is vandalism, but graffiti is an art form," he said. "You can no longer dispute that."

As for what Brasil hopes to say with his contribution to Crime In The City, he can’t be entirely sure. The messages he wants to convey through his work change from project to project and maybe even moment to moment. But unity is a constant theme, he said, and in this case celebrating the street art movement and the history of graffiti that he now takes part in. “Skeme was a revolutionary to me,” he said. “This is me paying homage, paying my respects and paying my dues.”

The exhibit will also reunite Brasil and street artist Eddie Rivera, who previously collaborated on last year’s Star Wars-themed murals outside Keeton’s Office and Art Supply in downtown Bradenton.

Crime In The City opens May 28 at 7pm at MF Arts Ybor, 1616 E. 2nd Ave., Tampa. 

Continuing its dedication to educational outreach and programming, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has announced the debut of a new summer musical intensive with “Stage of Discovery.” Slated to begin July 20 and run through Aug. 15, 25 actors, singers and dancers ages 13-18 will participate in this daily pilot program putting the young performers through the paces in various theatrical disciplines before staging an original musical written and directed by WBTT Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs. Underwritten by the Robert E. Dods Family Foundation, “Stage of Discovery” is free to all attendees in this pilot year.

In addition to working with Jacobs and other WBTT staff, guest instructors such as choreographers and vocal coaches will lead sessions, with students taking lessons in dance, acting, singing and improvisation as well as gaining behind-the-scenes experience with set and costume design. The intensive runs from 9am-2pm daily, with free lunch provided and aftercare available from 2pm-5pm for a fee of $50 per week per child.

With only 25 spots available, prospective performers are required to attend a mandatory audition session Saturday, Jun. 11 from 1pm-5pm. “So it’s kind of like being cast,” said WBTT Executive Director Julie Leach. “We’re just looking for good talent and kids that are excited about opportunities in theater.” And by removing the financial barrier, Leach hopes WBTT can reach budding Broadway stars yet undiscovered. “We like to focus on underserved youth,” she said, “and that’s one of the easiest ways to help.”

Increasing educational programming has been a key part of the strategic plan for WBTT in recent years, said Leach, referring specifically to the launch of last year’s JazzLinks program, sending artists from the Jazz Club of Sarasota into area schools to perform and talk about influential jazz musicians. If “Stage of Discovery” proves a success, Leach hopes the program can expand past the pilot to include more, and younger, performers. 

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Should health goddess Gwyneth Paltrow ever make a pit stop in Sarasota, our own mini health-food Mecca Beauty of Sprouts will more than meet her great expectations. Everything on the menu qualifies as certified organic, raw, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, GMO-free and sugar-free (try saying that three times fast).

Chef and Owner Rano Halikova’s take on vegan pizza combines sprouted buckwheat crust, creamy layers of turmeric- and zucchini-based cheeses, a mountain of vine-fresh tomatoes, red peppers, olives, shallots and a sprinkling of sprouted mung beans. Halikova, who performs all of the sprouting, fermenting and dough-rolling in-house, has a growing number of veggie-loving acolytes who swear by her commitment to clean eating.  

Beauty of Sprouts, 1474 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, 941-350-8449

Rich and tender slices of sweet bread, drizzled honey on top and a few shakes of powdered sugar: if you guessed French toast you are spot on. Unlike your basic breakfast menu, Daily Eats prepares their dish with Captain Crunch, leaving you with a tantalizing taste as soon as you dive into that first bite. Your inner child will be doing so many backflips.

Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk; 3 large eggs; 1 tsp. cinnamon; 1 Tbsp. sugar; 1 Tbsp. honey; ¼ tsp. salt; 1 tsp. vanilla; 12 slices Brioche or Challah bread; 2 cups Captain Crunch.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together whole milk, eggs, cinnamon, sugar, honey, salt and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Slice bread about 1 inch thick. Finely crush 2 cups of Captain Crunch Cereal, and place in a shallow dish. (You can do this by using a food processor, or by placing cereal in a ziplock bag and using your hands or mallet to smash). Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add oil or butter to grease the pan. One at a time, dip each slice of bread into the wet mixture. Make sure to soak each side of the bread evenly. After placing bread  in the egg mixture, remove and add to the Captain Crunch. Evenly coat each side. (Tip: use a fork to transfer and keep your hands clean!) Place coated pieces in greased frying pan, flipping until golden brown on each side. Dust with powdered sugar, and enjoy. 

Daily Eats, 8491 Cooper Creek Blvd. #107, Bradenton, 941-208-3880

Similar to Google Earth but more specific to the City of Sarasota, Geographic Information System is now available and located on the left side of the homepage in the City of Sarasota website. GIS features an array of detailed information about Sarasota including the location of utility lines, bike paths, neighborhood associations, emergency shelters and more. The site was developed to increase staff efficiency and improve asset management.  

Geographic Information System

Talent4Tomorrow Partnership and Suncoast Technical College joined forces yesterday to offer "Experience Engineering" to graduating high school seniors to help them understand the opportunities in various engineering fields. They got the chance to meet local employers that may hire them after their post-secondary education and understand the depth of employers that hire engineers in the Sarasota area.  

Talent4Tomorrow