SRQ DAILY Mar 23, 2018
Friday Weekend Edition
"It's not government that makes change; it's people."
As a photographer and international award-winning conceptual artist, Hank Willis Thomas brings an unflinching eye to the world of advertising, its history or representation and the effects this representation has on individual and group identity, particularly with relation to the African-American experience. His work has been displayed across the globe, including at the Museum of Modern Art New York, The Guggenheim Museum and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and selections from three of his series can be seen in Hank Willis Thomas: Branded/Unbranded, hanging in the Monda Gallery through June 10. Joining the Sarasota audience last night in the Historic Asolo Theater, Thomas talked inspiration and purpose, touching on everything from James Baldwin to the spooky ubiquity of brand logos. Here are a few highlights and insights.
On social commentary through art: “If you call something art, people care more about it.”
On the pressure of social expectations: “All of us can relate to being boxed into an identity.”
On images in advertising: “They’re not often seen as the important things, but you can learn as much from one of these as reading a whole book.”
On borders and nation-states: “They’re all imaginary lines and people have been crossing them for centuries… Certain things don’t care about these borders.”
On American freedom: “It’s amazing that in the land of the free, we incarcerate more people than anywhere else in the world.”
On the existence of race: “I don’t believe in race. It’s a divide and conquer strategy.”
On the importance of empathy: “Our connection to other people’s struggles will increase opportunity and freedom for us all.”
On a history of struggle: “That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth fighting for… That’s what life is.”
On progress: “It’s not government that makes change; it’s people.” 
The Sarasota County School District has announced a five-point plan to immediately provide short and long-term safety practices and capital improvements to enhance the security of its schools, students and staff. The plan includes the following action items: collaborate with local law enforcement to provide off-duty officers on 21 elementary school campuses through the end of the 2017–18 school year; place School Resource Officers on all Sarasota County school campuses for the 2018–19 school year; invest $25 million in capital funds to enhance the physical and environmental structures of the schools; strengthen the capacity of the internal Office of Safety, Security and Emergency Management department; and work with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office to explore a school guardian program. The school district’s total Safe Schools allocation from the state for the 2018–19 school year totals more than $2.4 million—up from $950,00 this school year. In addition to this plan, the school district has earmarked more than $1 million to tackle mental and behavioral health issues, which will be addressed by the school board next month.
The Commission on Cancer (CoC), has granted national accreditation to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s expanding cancer program. This recognition is awarded sparingly to cancer programs that meet more than 30 CoC quality care standards and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care. Sarasota Memorial has maintained continuous CoC accreditation since 1988. To maintain CoC accreditation, SMH undergoes a rigorous voluntary survey every three years. SMH’s cancer program offers a full spectrum of care, from prevention, early diagnosis and cancer staging, to evidence-based treatments, rehabilitation and life-long follow-up. The health system also provides access to clinical trials, genetic counseling, psycho-social support, patient navigators and the Thrive program, which offers an array of therapies and ongoing support to improve cancer survivors’ quality of life after treatment. In January, the hospital approved $220 million to further expand its cancer program. Like all CoC-accredited facilities, SMH maintains a cancer registry and contributes data to the National Cancer Database (NCDB), a joint program of the CoC and American Cancer Society. This nationwide oncology outcomes database is the largest clinical disease registry in the world. Data on all types of cancer are tracked and analyzed through the NCDB and used to explore trends in cancer care. As a CoC-accredited cancer center, SMH has access to information derived from this type of data analysis.
The Civility Squad, a cast of animated characters created by Gulf Coast Community Foundation to promote civil discourse and civic participation in the region, received a Silver ADDY in AdFed Suncoast’s 2018 American Advertising Awards competition. The Civility Squad campaign was honored in the Integrated Media Public Service Campaign category. The Civility Squad was designed in support of the foundation’s regional civility initiative, Because It Matters. Campaign elements include online animations, social media content, print collateral and promotional materials such as T-shirts, pins and trading cards that feature the Civility Squad characters modeling and messaging civil behavior in fun, memorable ways. The characters were designed to appeal to all ages. The creative team that designed the Civility Squad campaign for Gulf Coast consisted of Ringling College of Art and Design faculty and alumni. Design Center associate director Holly Antoszewski served as creative director and advertising design faculty member Vivian Owen was the copywriter, while recent graduates Robson Tan and Philip Gleichauf handled design and motion design, respectively.
This month, J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp., a Venice-based commercial construction company, began the renovation and expansion for Clark Road Animal Clinic, a full-service veterinary clinic in Sarasota. Designed by Leader Design Studio, the team will renovate the existing 3,259-square-foot space and add approximately 3,500 square feet to incorporate an updated design, which will increase the capacity to examine and treat pets. The renovation and expansion project includes additional state-of-the-art examination rooms and expanded treatment areas that will increase space for examinations, dental and surgical services and an x-ray area. The expansion is scheduled to be completed during the early fall 2018.
Neal Communities recently received a gold award for Best Brochure for a Builder from the National Association of Home Builders National Sales and Marketing Council. The award was presented to Neal Communities for its Blue Book, which was created by Milesbrand, a Colorado-based real estate branding and ad agency. The 18-page brochure was created to help employees better understand Neal Communities and how integral its philosophies are to its continued success. Neal Communities went through a four-step branding process with Milesbrand, which included identifying core values and transforming those into a succinct expression—do the right thing. Milesbrand spent nearly three months working on the brochure before presenting it to the builder.
Three artists working in three different disciplines present a show and auction to raise money for Pines of Sarasota. Opening tonight with an artists reception at 5:30pm, works from Grace Howl, Kate Hendrickson and Amy Ernst will all be available for viewing. The three artists will host an artists talk on March 28, and the work will be available for auction at the end of the show on April 6.
Grace Howl Contemporary Art, 419 & 421 Central Ave., Sarasota.
Lewis Black, Grammy-Award-winning, stand-up comedian, is one of the most prolific and popular performers working today. He executes a brilliant trifecta as a stand-up comedian, actor and author. He is one of a few performers to sell out multiple renowned theaters, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Main Stage at the Mirage in Las Vegas and most recently, a sold-out Broadway run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City. His live performances provide a cathartic release of anger and disillusionment for his audience. He is a passionate performer who is a more pissed-off optimist than a mean-spirited curmudgeon. Black is the rare comic who can cause an audience to laugh themselves into incontinence while making compelling points about the absurdity of our world.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
Join Mote Marine Laboratory to support Mote’s hospitals for sea turtles, dolphins and whales at Party on the Pass. This casual evening of good food, good fun and good will, will take place at 6:30pm in the Aquarium courtyard.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium , 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236
This year marks the 6th Anniversary of Women & Medicine educational luncheon featuring informative presentations and discussions from Sarasota Memorial Physicians. This event has raised more than $225,000 to date and this year will help support the Sarasota Memorial Comprehensive Stroke Center.
Michael’s on East, 1212 S East Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239
Marta is the unwilling mistress of awealthy landowner, Sebastiano. To ensure the poor girl will remain close, Sebastiano marries Marta off to Pedro, a shepherd on his land. Pedro falls in love with Marta. Eventually, the awful secret comes to light, but the shepherd is still willing to do whatever it takes to free his beloved from her warden.Performed by the likes of Maria Callas and Montserrat Caballé, this extraordinary example of early 20th century verismo opera is seen regularly in Germany and Austria, but there has only been one other U.S. production in a century.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is one of the world’s greatest chamber orchestras, renowned for fresh, brilliant interpretations of the world’s most-loved classical music. Led by Music Director and virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell, the Academy retains the collegiate spirit and flexibility of the original small, conductor-less ensemble, which has become an Academy hallmark, while pushing the boundaries of play-directed performance to new heights.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
‘WAHH’ is a popular word in India that is similar to the word ‘Wow’. WAHH World Fusion Band is a spectacular blend of ‘East meets West’ in true Fusion Music style. Trailblazers of a unique and multiform sound, WAHH is rooted in India’s rich traditional musical culture and enveloped in an artful weave of Jazz, Rock and Funk.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
The famous works of Salvador Dali are coming to Sarasota. The Argillet collection is on exhibition and available for acquisition. The exhibition will also allow for opportunities to meet Madame Christine Argillet, daughter of Dali's publisher, Pierre Argillet.
Chasen Galleries of Sarasota, 1830 South Osprey Ave., Suite 102, Sarasota.
Dick Hyman's background as a pianist, composer, arranger, music director and organist have helped him establish a fruitful career spanning decades. He has won numerous awards, including an Emmy and an MVP from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Pops Orchestra is proud to share the stage with this Hall of Fame musician for an evening of jazz tunes and original compositions.
Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota
Why are so many comedians Jewish? What is the background and origins of Yiddish wit and comedy? Was it a coincidence that the movie industry was founded by Jewish immigrants and that much of early “Broadway” was inhabited by performers, directors, producers, musicians, and lyricists who were Jewish? We will talk about the depth and breadth of this unique ethnic humor: from the Russian shtetl to American television; from the Wise Men of Chelm to the heyday of the Borscht Belt. You are invited to join in and laugh as you add to your repertoire and knowledge of Jewish humor.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
It began as one man's story, became everyone's music and is now Broadway's musical. Motown the Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Featuring classic songs such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” experience the story behind the music in the record-breaking smash hit Motown the Musical. Purchase quickly as tickets are nearly sold out.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota
Fanny Brice is a nobody who dreams of being famous, and through sheer guts and determination, fulfills her dream and becomes a star of the Ziegfeld Follies. Set in New York City just prior to and following World War I, it’s the songs and story that generations have grown to love including: “People,” “I’m the Greatest Star” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” The original cast recording was even inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame!
The Players Theatre , 838 N Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Buildings played a pivotal role in Alfred Hitchcock's groundbreaking works. For Hitchcock, modern buildings both visually and metaphorically represented the future in contrast with the past. Hitchcock utilized modernism's essential elements as cultural shorthand to convey society's views on anonymity and one's place in increasingly complex urban environments. Christine Madrid French, an advocate for the study and preservation of American architecture, will discuss in this visually-rich presentation of Hitchcock's penchant for filming suspenseful scenes against the backdrop of American modernist architechture.
Ringling College of Art and Design's Alfred Goldstein Library, 2700 Bradenton Rd., Sarasota.
Grab yer guitar and boots, tilt yer cowboy hat and got ready to “Yeee Hawwww” your way through this country romp mixed with a healthy serving of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Jimmy Mazz takes you back to visit great country classics like Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, then crossing over to rockers like Bobby Darin, Jerry Lee Lewis and of course, Elvis plus many more!
The Players Centre of Performing Arts, 838 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
In this exhibit, Elisabeth Trostili's digital paintings celebate the power of women. Each painting in Femmes Fatales could be described as a digital photographic collage that captures beauty, diversity, gender roles, spirituality and the richness of woman. New work by all of Art Uptown's 25 professional artists will be shown along with Trostili's featured pieces.
Master Classes offer a deeper look at various subjects, though are designed for any level, so no advance training required. This Master Class session will engage with key questions around art and quality. Throughout the series, you’ll discover your own criteria for quality, and begin to use your skills to assist your decision-making, whether you are acquiring works of art, or simply engaging as a viewer.
The Works, 891 South Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
Directed by Greg Leaming, this biting commentary on the office environment and the drive to succeed marries the horror of shocking workplace violence with a satirical sendup of how individuals respond, whether taking advantage or falling apart. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and selected by The New York Times as one of the best shows of 2015.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
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