Sarasota’s youthful opera enthusiasts are banding together with the launch of the Da Capo Society, a young patrons organization dedicated to promoting opera in Sarasota and welcoming the younger generation into the audience. Launched in late October by Sarasota Opera Director of Audience Development Sam Lowry as the first group of its kind in Sarasota and open to all current and potential opera fans ages 21–45, the group has already reached its pilot year goal of 25 members comprising business owners, lawyers, financial professionals and artists but eyes continued expansion.

With an aim to increase opera audience turnout amongst the 20s and 30s crowd, Lowry found inspiration for the Da Capo Society in the Sarasota Culture Collective—an organization encouraging participation from that particular age group through discounted rates and special events, but that also places a three-year limit on membership with no obvious avenue for continuing the communal artistic experience. “Those people need to have somewhere to go,” says Lowry. “I don’t want to lose that energy and that enthusiasm that had built up as a result of their positive experience with the Culture Collective.” Though Da Capo focuses exclusively on opera, he hopes to tap into the general passion.

Members’ dues comprise a $75 donation to the Sarasota Opera and a three-performance subscription for $99, and Lowry is looking at possibilities for special Da Capo Society experiences for members, such as pre- or post-performance conversations with artists. In addition, members receive all the benefits comparable donors enjoy. But more than any of that, Da Capo seems to be about the community and camaraderie. Unprompted by Lowry, members already organized their first pre-performance get-together—a happy hour celebration at Selva Grill before last week’s performance of Don Pasquale—and Lowry suspects it will become something of a regular occurrence.

Taking its name from the musical term meaning “returning to the beginning” (or in the literal Italian, “To the head.”), Lowry embraces the hint at new beginnings in the name. “We’re going in so many different directions that it’s a rare occasion to feel like you’re starting a new path,” he says. “This is a nice way of welcoming [the younger generation] and letting them experience the community of Sarasota Opera.”

Individuals interested in the Da Capo Society can contact Sam Lowry at slowry@sarasotaopera.org. 

Pictured: Inaugural members of the Da Capo Society meet at the Sarasota Opera House. Photo by Sam Lowry.

It's a classic: the Club Sandwich. Toasted triangles, three to a bite, stuffed with roasted turkey, well-done bacon bits, a sliced tomato, lettuce and mayo—quartered and stuck with hors d'œuvre sticks. No matter where you are in the world, there's the Club, popping up on menus from Paris to London, a staple for travelers at home and abroad. Our own Gecko's adds a welcome twist with sweet ham edging out the turkey on the bottom layer, the top still piled high with slices of the classic bird. Served with a heaping helping of chips or fries, this lunch will carry you all the way to dinner.  

Gecko's Grill & Pub, various locations.

All dogs deserve life-long loving homes. Donte's Den ensures that all pups in the Joyful Dogs Adoption Program receive lots of love and attention, are properly immunized, spayed or neutered and are in overall good health. Plus, prospective pet parents undergo a thorough adoption review to ensure a lifetime of love and care for all members of the family.

Donte’s Den is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization and the only facility anywhere that provides care for abandoned or surrendered pups ready to be loved in a new home. The state-of-the-art facility is designed by experts, just for dogs and every dollar donated gives back to their canine community, allowing them to provide an amazing level of care to every pup ready to be adopted. Donte's Den is pristine and comfortable and the veterinary care of the highest quality. Adoptive pups experience a full and healthy life at Donte’s Den while prospective pet parents undergo a thorough Pawsitive Match adoption review to ensure a lifetime of wagging tails.

Fill your family and find your new best friend at dontesden.com. 

Donte's Den

Sarasota Memorial Hospital is moving ahead with plans to develop a comprehensive cancer center, a premier facility that will offer services across the entire continuum of cancer care, from prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment, to follow-up care, survivorship and support. The Sarasota County Public Hospital Board approved the first phase of facility planning in October, allocating up to $4 million to begin design of the full-service destination cancer center on its main Sarasota campus. When complete, the cancer center will offer specialty programs for breast, GYN, GI/colorectal and lung cancers, as well as prostate/GU, neuro-oncology, melanoma and hematologic subspecialties.  

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has issued a $45,000 Arts Appreciation grant to Florida Studio Theatre. The funds will underwrite FST’s 2016–17 Winter Mainstage and Cabaret seasons and also sponsor FST’s season gala fundraiser in February. Since 1995, GCCF has invested over $234 million in grants in the areas of arts and culture, health and human services, civic and economic development, education and the environment.  

Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Aviva: A Campus for Senior Life announced recent hires to the organization’s management team, coinciding with the rebrand of the organization in late October from its former name, Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson. Renee Hood has been hired as human resources director. Amy Jackson will be taking the role of assisted living director, Maria Leonardo as lifestyle program director, Teresa Martin as administrator and Lauren Wickland as director of nursing.  

Aviva: A Campus for Senior Life

When you walk into Boca Kitchen, Bar & Market, it’s hard to say what captures the eye first—the living lettuce wall, the faintly luminous hanging Edison lightbulbs or the main event: the menu. This month in Community Kitchen, we indulge in the welcoming atmosphere and locally sourced cuisine (when possible) brought about by an open kitchen, blooming basil centerpieces and fresh provisions supplied every day by producers in the community and across the state. 

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