Virginia Madsen expects when many Sarasota Film Festival goers see the AIDS drama 1985, they will remember lost figures in their own life who were claimed by an epidemic at a time when so little was known. But she also hopes a new generation of filmgoers will consume the period piece. “I would like this film to be there for very young people,” Madsen tells SRQ. “I don’t think the dad in this movie would watch this movie, but I think very young people could be empowered by this story and recognize themselves.”

Madsen in the film plays the mother to main character Adrian (Cory Michael Smith), a closeted gay man who returns to his conservative family to tell them he’s dying. The 56-year-old Madsen in real life was a 24-year-old actress in Hollywood in the year 1985, and knew too many people facing the same struggles and fate. She even had an uncle, one largely estranged from family, who died in the AIDS era, and Madsen had to explain to older family how he died. “There was so much fear and misinformation out there, and so much of people in front of you dying,” she says. “It was terrifying.”

Yet, Madsen views this film as a story of love. Sure, it’s about a tragedy defining a certain era, but it’s also about parents learning to cope with the circumstances around their child’s life and mortality. She notes there’s a younger brother in the house, played by Aiden Langford, who even as he loses his brother knows he can grow up in a more accepting home. “It’s about a love of family, a love of brothers, and about two parents who don’t know their son but they love him so much,” Madsen says.

Before signing on to this film, she’d seen director Yen Tan’s short film of the same name, and she knew the film would be a good fit for her after actor Michael Chiklis signed on to play the main character’s father. Now the film serves as one of the Centerpiece Films at the Sarasota Film Festival just weeks after premiering at South By Southwest. Madsen will attend both a Friday screening at 5pm and a Sunday screening at 2:30pm at the Regal Hollywood 11 Cinemas. Madsen on Saturday will also sit down for an In Conversation event at 1pm at Florida Studio Theatre.

Madsen’s appearances will be part of a series of festival highlights including In Conversation events with actor Steve Gutenberg, in town with Chasing The Blues, and documentarian Rory Kennedy, here with Closing Night Film Above and Beyond: NASA’s Journey to Tomorrow. The “Chill Under The Stars” event, presented by ChillLounge Night, will cap off major festivities at Selby Five Points Park from 6-11:30pm on Saturday night. 

As the third artist-in-residence to grace the artist’s nook at Art Ovation Hotel, Ha Pham has, throughout this week of the Sarasota Film Festival, been showing her sketches and paintings—not to mention making new ones in real-time—and serving as something of a local artistic ambassador for the many festival guests populating the hotel. Arriving in the United States from Vietnam at age 8, Pham found an outlet in art and room to grow in Sarasota, apprenticing with local artists and training at Southern Atelier. SRQ took a moment to look beyond the brushstrokes.

SRQ: What is your preferred medium/media and why? Ha Pham: I love charcoal because it’s very forgiving. It’s a raw and simple medium but can have so much impact, and it’s easy to bring around with you everywhere. I also love oils because of its blending capability. 

How did you know that this was how you wanted to communicate with the world? Art just came to me naturally. When I came to the United States, I didn’t speak English so I gravitated toward visual arts. I’d checked out books with bird drawings at the library and copied those drawings. I didn’t have many friends so I spent a lot of time drawing alone. I still don’t have many friends but that’s ok, I have more time for creating art. 

Who were/are your biggest artistic influences? There are so many great master artists I admired. I love Gustav Klimt’s audacity for unconventional figure paintings, John Sargent Singer’s brush strokes, Degas’ uses of colors. There are several artists I follow on Instagram who influence me a lot: Jeremy Mann, Romel De La Torre, Kevin Bielfuss, Jaw Cooper, Reiner Gamboa, Andy Espinoza, Audrey Kawasaki, Soey Milk, and many more. I could fill up the whole page. 

What keeps bringing you back to the canvas? Love and passion, I am happiest when I create art. 

As you finish your week in residency with Art Ovation Hotel, what does it mean as an up-and-coming artist to see this kind of support for the arts in the community? I really appreciate this kind of nurturing environment. I get to interact with art admirers on a personal level and they get to see and understand the process of a painting. I love it. 

Where can readers see your work around town? At Cafe Barbosso and Empacurious, and of course my website www.hapham.gallery, I’m also on Instagram @hapham_art.

What’s next? I’m going to be working with Cafe Barbosso to help a local charity called Everyday Blessings, a foster home care for children and young adults.  Every painting we sell, a portion of the proceed will go to the charity. I’m also going to be teaching more. I didn’t realize how much I like to see a student progressing. This July, I want to do a painting trip in Vietnam. Traveling and painting has always been my dream. 

Pictured: Ha Pham hard at work in the artist's nook at Art Ovation Hotel. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

Firm believers will say that the culture of a destination is often best told through clothing, and this entire get-up from Swim City has got us seriously craving the tropical feels. With its selection of designer swim and resort wear, it becomes a refuge for swimsuit addicts and sun bunnies alike. Pulling together this look, the stylists at Swim City provided a a one stop shop glimpse at all your Vitamin D essentials:

Protect your pretty hairs with the Panama Jack Straw Hat, which boasts a UPF50+ rating on its close-weave material, blocking 97% of the sun’s UV rays. The OluKai U’I Sandal is crafted of the finest materials from Hawaii, making them the most durable, comfortable flip flops you’ll step into, we reckon. Get yourself a pre-tan before you jetset, with the SunBum Self-Tanning towelettes for a healthy glow. PuraVida Gold Bitty bracelets and the Sun N’ Sand Poly Straw Tote give the outfit a touch of island flare. The Peony colored Vince Camuto Cruise bikini exudes an effortless appeal to combo your bronze from the SunBum Natural Browning Lotion. Not to mention, Swim City recently got in a slew of new stylish cover-ups to throw in the mix.

Ready to combine your fashions with some travels? Memorial day is creeping up—your next long weekend escape to the tropics awaits. So buy the flight, pull the suitcase from under the bed and pack for some R&R, because it’s time to dispatch to the Keys or the Caribbean. Endless island getaways are just a hop, skip and a jump away, and what’s even closer? Swim City’s multi-suitable locations:

50 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-954-8800. 1960 Stickney Point Rd. Sarasota, 941-922-4545. 3170 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Longboat Key, 941-383-2288. Swim City is a member of Provisionist, SRQ media's content marketing program for local retailers.  

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan

Hat $22, Sandals $90, Towelettes $4, Bracelets $10/each, Bag $40, Top $62, Bottom $46, Tanning Lotion/Oil $15/each.

An economic analysis of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota’s (SCF) impact on its service area shows that the college has a total annual impact of $432.4 million. That impact represents 1.5 percent of the total regional economy. The college benefits local businesses by increasing consumer spending in the region and supplying a steady flow of qualified, trained workers. It enriches the lives of students by raising their lifetime earnings and helping them achieve their potential and SCF benefits state and local taxpayers through increased tax receipts and reduced demand for government-supported social services. EMSI, a leading provider of economic impact studies and labor market data to educational institutions, workforce planners and regional developers, developed this report for SCF. 

SCF Economic Impact Report

Asolo Repertory Theatre has announced its 2018-19 Board of Directors. Officers include Ann Charters (President), Carole Crosby (Vice President/President Elect), Sy Goldblatt (Vice President), Dennis Dirks(Treasurer), and Giselle Huberman (Secretary). New members include Terry Brackett, Andrew M. Economos, L'Tanya C. Evans and William D. Evans. Now in its 59th season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. To view a full list of the members of the Asolo Rep board of directors, follow the link below. 

Asolo Repertory Theatre Board of Directors

Goodwill Manasota has invited area families to enjoy the Good Readers Program, which will begin anew in Manatee County later this month. Each of the monthly installments will take place on Saturday mornings at 11am in one of the four Goodwill Manasota Bookstores in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Goodwill Ambassadors (volunteers) will read to groups of children for an hour, while parents are free to browse the store or listen with their child. When story time ends, each child will receive a free book. First launched in 2014, the Good Readers Program works to engage young minds and foster a lifelong love of reading in children. Studies show that children exposed to books at a young age are more likely to do better both academically and behaviorally. The goal of the Good Readers program is to provide additional support and assistance for low-income children, and the gift of books of their own. Dates and locations of the Good Readers Program are: Manatee Bookstore (5512 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton), April 21 and August 18, 11am; Clark Bookstore (5831 Derek Avenue, Sarasota). May 19 and September 15, 11am; Tara Bookstore (7200 55th Ave E, Bradenton), June 16 and October 20, 11am; and Venice Bookstore (1752 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice), July 21 and Nov 17, 11am. 

Goodwill Manasota