Founder Jeffery Kin and the Eclectic Theater Company come to the Players Centre for Performing Arts, where Kin also serves as artistic director, this weekend for the return of Got A Minute?, a theatrical fundraising festival of 60-second plays with all proceeds going towards organizations furthering the fight against cancer. With a preview show this Friday afternoon, the festival kicks off in earnest on Saturday, followed by a gala and live auction.

Putting out a nationwide call for one-minute plays, Kin and his cohorts received more than 100 submissions from around the world, and of those around 30 were ready for production. (Writing a 60-second play is “harder than it seems,” says Kin.) Combining those with 20 or so revived “oldies but goodies” from past festivals and the inclusion of a handful of musical acts—including an appearance from The Players Flash Tappers—and the festival rounds out to a total of 60 performances playing over the stage. “It’s a little bit of everything,” says Kin, from monologues to shared scenes, drama to comedy. Some of the plays “are literally jokes” with a brief setup, a little bit of delivery and then a punchline at the end. “Which is great,” Kin says, “because we don’t want the benefit to ever be a downer. It’s a positive, uplifting event.”

Last produced in 2010, Got A Minute? began five years prior, when Kin’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, and in the ensuing half-decade Got A Minute? festivals raised more than $125,000 towards cancer research and treatment. With The Players’ responsibilities mounting and Kin’s mother recovering (still strong and cancer-free today, he reports), the festival went on hiatus. But when a member of The Players family received a similar diagnosis, Kin knew the hiatus was over. “Listening to [my colleague] dealing with this disease and with the bills and the amount of money things cost—it’s just frightening,” he says. “It was time to jump in, to revive the show. It’s an important part of what The Players does well, which is giving back to the community.”

With all operating staff and performing artists working on a volunteer basis, this “kindness of strangers” enables 100 percent of the festival proceeds to further the fight against cancer, says Kin. Benefitting organizations include the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, Rob’s Rescue Foundation and One Of Our Own.

The Got A Minute? 60-second play festival begins with a preview at the Players Centre for Performing Arts on Friday, November 26, at 7:30pm and tickets are $25. The official festival runs Saturday, November 27, at 7:30pm, followed by an after party and live auction, and tickets are $35. 

Pictured: Performers rehearse for this year's Got A Minute? 60-second play festival. Photo courtesy of The Players Center for Performing Arts.

The SRQ Studio was smelling extra special yesterday as duo Alfonso Abreu and Sylvia Noguera put our kitchen to good use, whipping up some of the street food-inspired dishes they offer through Empacurious. Drawing on flavors found in different cuisines around the world—Argentina, the Middle East, the West Indies, Mexico, Spain, Italy, China, India—alongside influences from each culture's musical bent—think the Tango, Punjabi Bhangra music, West Indian Soca, Mexican Jalisco, etc.—the team creates an eclectic mash up of spice within each of their foodie homages. And the lucky SRQ team gobbled up every bite of the four courses Abreu and Noguera placed in front of us—first came the turmeric quinoa with beef "Tango," inspired by mild, meaty Argentinian classics and a jicama and cranberry slaw; according to Abreu this spice is Argentina in a bottle. Chicken "Soca" (West Indian-style, bold and spicy) paired with Empacurious' home-made sauces (burnt orange, guava BBQ, mango BBQ) and rice pilaf. And of course, the empanada's played a starring role, with fillings such as mushroom "Flamenco," crab and corn "Zydeco" (Cajun-style straight out of New Orleans) and rabbit "Flamenco." Just call them stuffed delights in a sheet of pastry. And for dessert: Noguera's mother's recipe of cubed, candied and spiced pumpkin and papaya with spiced honey-laced mascarpone and almonds—a strange and wonderful creamy delight. Get your own meal three ways: Empacurious' online pick up and delivery service, event catering or their forthcoming MealBox service.  

Empacurious, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria Island, 941-447-0414.

Jewish Child and Family Services of the Suncoast (JCFS) has once again kicked off their annual Adopt a Family for the Holidays program that provides hundreds of children with desired items for their holiday celebrations. The Adopt a Family for the Holidays initiative directly benefits children and families who receive services through JFCS’ various programs. Each year, JFCS serves more than 15,000 families by providing services that help them become self-sufficient. 

“To know that one child will have their happy Hanukkah or merry Christmas while meeting his or her basic needs is priceless!” says Rose Chapman, LCSW, president and CEO of JFCS. “Each year we are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community that helps make the holidays brighter for our families.”

A wish list for each child and the family is matched with a community member who is willing to purchase any or all items on the list that includes clothes, toys and/or gift cards. A minimum donation of $25 per child is suggested. The gifts, which qualify as a charitable donation and tax deduction, are requested to be dropped off at JFCS’ 2688 Fruitville Rd. office by close of business Friday, December 2.

JFCS is in need of individuals or families willing to “adopt” a child or family in need and help JFCS make a difference this holiday season. To adopt a family today or for more information, contact Lauren Fair at 941-366-2224, ext. 145 or email lfair@JFCS-Cares.org. 

JFCS Suncoast

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) will be enrolling passengers in the TSA PreCheck expedited screening program from December 12 through December 16. TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy a smart and more efficient screening experience. For TSA PreCheck travelers, there is no need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, light outerwear or belts. Today, TSA PreCheck has more than 450 lanes at 167 US airports. Travelers can begin their application online at the link below. 

TSA PreCheck

Gulf Coast Community Foundation awarded a $20,000 leveraged grant to the Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children for a project to increase the electrical capacity at the Venice Municipal Airport Festival Grounds. With additional support already secured from the city of Venice, Florida Power and Light and others, the Suncoast Foundation will coordinate improvements that effectively double the power available at the festival grounds, home to the group’s signature fundraiser, the Suncoast BBQ and Bluegrass Bash. Launched in 2010, the annual Suncoast BBQ and Bluegrass Bash has raised an estimated $350,000 in support of the Suncoast Foundation’s mission, including more than $85,000 from last year’s event. 

Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Venice-based commercial construction company, J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp., recently added Steven Franks and Oliver Huff to its team. Franks joins the team as an assistant superintendent and Huff will begin with the company as a project engineer. With more than 20 years of experience, Franks will assist on the second Siesta Key location for Daiquiri Deck. Huff will help oversee the expansion of the Margo Lang Children’s Crisis Unit at Charlotte Behavioral Health Care.  

J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp.

After achieving its seven-year-long fundraising goal and then purchasing the historic Sarasota High School building  Ringling College of Art and Design was set to launch the Sarasota Museum of Art come January 2016. This month in, View from the Gallery, we discuss how the arrival of SMOA’s Executive Director Ann-Marie Russell, has brought them back to the drawing board with opportunities, not obstacles, that have the museum moving in new and innovative directions.  

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