In 2006, The Metropolitan Opera in New York City, affectionately known as The Met, sought to fundamentally change the opera demographic when it took its performances out of the traditionally stuffy opera house and into the casual environment of the movie theater. This season The Met comes to Sarasota, with a live-stream of the 2017-18 season at CineBistro Siesta Key.

Staying true to the long-standing pursuit of excellence in opera, the video techniques used to film the performances are themselves a triumph of well-choreographed teamwork. Frank Stryjewski, COO of CineBistro, says The Met is “head and shoulders above everything else” as far as the production value of its simulcasts. Furthermore, global ticket sales and revenue for the HD streams has surpassed attendance at the Lincoln Center, good news considering the cost of producing the HD simulcasts approaches a cool million. The camerawork is conducted with a dynamic mixture of intimate close-ups and sweeping panoramic shots utilizing 10 or more cameras, while the timing and framing show a sensitivity to each scripts’ pivotal moments—and this is where the simulcasts offer something that the physical theater does not, the ability to see visual details ordinarily absent from a live presentation. With such a strong product, will The Met’s screenings share the market or steal the market from smaller cities with opera houses like, say, Sarasota?

Former New York opera singer and current Sarasota Opera Director of Audience Development Sam Lowry thinks not. “We are of the opinion that the more opera anyone can get in their life, the better,” he says. Furthermore, Lowry contends that, in regard to audio, once a microphone is used to record a singer “it’s no longer a live performance.” So, where the simulcasts have an edge in the visual arena, an opera house has the edge in acoustics with its “pure, unadulterated sound,” he says. Classical live opera is the standard and the original, and it offers a more emotive experience that is distinctly human—no two live performances are the same.

Both CineBistro and Sarasota Opera will be presenting Bellini’s Norma this season, giving residents of Sarasota the opportunity to measure the value of the old and the new. CineBistro will screen Norma on October 7, Sarasota Opera presents their version March 3 of next year. 

Pictured: Past production of "The Magic Flute" at The Metropolitan Opera. Image courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera.

When some think of fall, they think of sweaters, cold nights and campfires. But Floridians know that “fall” in the south does not entail much bundling up. This adorable, lace tie-dye dress is the ideal wardrobe addition for this time of year. Keep right on trend with this great summer to fall transition piece from Apricot Lane Boutique’s newest brand “T Party” (made in America). Show off some shoulder with the adorable sheer sleeves and pair with some booties for a bohemian fall look or keep it casual with your favorite sandals. $58, also available in navy. 

Photo Credit: Wyatt Kostygan

Apricot Lane

In less than a week, 1000 high school students from the Sarasota Bradenton area will explore potential career paths as well as prepare for college at the 2017 State of Jobs Conference. This event features over 75 local guest speakers from six different career tracks including healthcare, information technology, business/entrepreneurship, manufacturing/engineering, hospitality/tourism, and arts/culture, all working to inspire students to take control of their futures. CareerSource Suncoast hopes to showcase higher education opportunities in Sarasota-Bradenton, give students an inside look into great local businesses and network with local executives.

“We want our young people to know that jobs in travel equal promising careers.  Two in five American workers whose first job was in travel now are earning more than $100,000 a year.  For many young workers, a travel job in a hotel or a restaurant serving visitors means a first foothold on the career ladder.  For part time students, a travel job means the flexibility to pursue education and training while gaining the benefit of an on-the-job experience,” said Virginia Haley, President of VISIT Sarasota, a State of Jobs Sponsor. “With all of the new hotels opening in Sarasota, we know that it can provide a wonderful opportunity for regional students to begin an amazing career in travel.”

Throughout the day, students will experience at least 3 sessions focused directly on their career interest. In addition to learning about their career, State of Jobs focuses on college readiness, leadership, social responsibility and preparing for being a professional. Throughout the conference, students will have an opportunity to further engage by answering questions via text messaging and traditional paper surveys with the goal of improving the quality of education in Sarasota and Manatee Counties while also improving your opportunities to succeed in college and careers.

“We believe in cultivating future talent in the area,” says SRQ MEDIA President and CEO Lisl Liang. “ As a local catalyst for engagement, SRQ Media’s partnership with CareerSource on the State of Jobs Conference invests in helping our students navigate the ever-changing landscape of career development. Seeing real opportunities as represented by our local companies makes an incredible impact.”

For more on the State of Jobs conference, contact Chris Laney at claney@careersourcesc.com or visit their website online at StateofJobs.org. 

State of Jobs

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) has announced its 2017-2018 Board of Directors. These committed community leaders will lead, advise and chair initiatives that directly support The Greater Sarasota Chamber’s mission. Charlie Bailey of Williams Parker will serve as Chair, with John LaCivita of Willis Smith Construction serving as chair-elect and George McGonagill of Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay as immediate past chair. The remaining members of the board of directors, including Steven High of the Ringling Museum, Chris Gallagher of Hoyt Architects, Mark Pritchett of Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Lisl Liang of SRQ Media Group, will be made available at the GSCC website. 

Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

Brooks Beauchamp has joined Jennette Properties as a property manager/leasing agent. She is excited to share her knowledge of the Siesta Key, Sarasota and Bradenton area, listing and leasing distinctive rental properties. Brooks has long been active in the real estate and interior design community, and as a board member and committee chair of various industry and volunteer organizations. She has also practiced real estate in Bloomfield Hills, MI and Wilmington, DE, after a contract and residential interior design career in Boston and Washington, DC. 

Jennette Properties

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has added Ando, a male Dutch Shepherd, to its K-9 Unit. Ando was born in May 2016 in the Netherlands, and was hand-picked by Deputy Kevin Skau, whose canine partner “Hiro” retired in July. Ando officially joined the sheriff’s office on July 10 and began his training July 31. He earned his National Police Canine Association (NPCA) bomb certification on September 20, and was deployed the same week for special details throughout Sarasota County. Ando will continue training with Deputy Skau to earn additional certifications. 

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office