SRQ DAILY May 2, 2018
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"I'm having the most fun you could have."
Sarasota Opera kicks off a brand new summer series dedicated to live musical performance, Sarasota Opera House Presents, this Friday, May 4, with a special celebrity guest. In town and onstage for one night only, actor, musician and all-around troubadour Tony Danza, of Taxi and Who’s The Boss fame, brings his celebrated cabaret-esque show, Tony Danza: Standards & Stories, to the opera house for a night of singing, tap dancing, storytelling and more than a little ukulele. “I’m having about the most fun you could have,” says Danza. “I’m out of control.”
Armed with a four-piece band of “top-notch” musicians and endless charisma, Danza brings the audience on a whirlwind journey through the Great American Songbook, with some special love for Frank Sinatra. He may not have had any musical training growing up, he says, but he definitely learned a thing or two from Sinatra, by way of mother Danza. Saturday was the day for cleaning house, Danza recalls, and that also made it the day for Sinatra records. The two would clean and clean, with his mother intermittently pausing their progress to make sure young Danza was paying attention to Sinatra too. “I would listen,” he says, “but I would watch her. She would be so moved.” He didn’t think too much of it at the time, but when he entered 11th grade and Old Blue Eyes topped the charts with “Strangers in the Night,” he thought maybe old ma was onto something. It’s a respect for the music that he maintains in his performance too, even as he’s having fun. Everyone, he says, should take an occasion to listen to the lyrics. “Each song is like a little play,” he says. “And I strive to service the songs.”
Today, Sinatra plays as important a role in Danza’s show as do those stories about his childhood, his mother and all the people and music that influenced and moved him along the way. And with the show evolving in its more than 20 years on the road, Danza finds ways to keep it fresh, such as adding the ukulele, which came almost on a whim. “It elbowed aside my trumpet playing,” he jokes, conceding that it may be for the best, as his trumpet skills were perhaps less than ideal. Instead the ukulele brings a fresh spin to classics like “Guess I’ll Let My Tears Out to Dry” and he’s even working on a version of “Makin’ Whoopee.”
But whether tap dancing, telling stories, singing songs or strumming that ukulele, nothing beats the energy of being tuxed out centerstage, under the spotlight and in front of the audience. “It’s every Italian’s fantasy,” laughs Danza.
Appearing for one night only, Tony Danza: Standards and Stories is this Friday, May 4, at 7:30pm at the Sarasota Opera House. Seating is limited, but tickets are still available. 
Donors are coming out for the count for Giving Challenge 2018! $1 million of funding dollars were raised within 40 minutes of going live May 1st at noon! Between yesterday and today, the Giving Challenge website has been keeping us thoroughly up to date—to the second—on time left to give, dollars raised thus far, winners of prizes and the top organizations earning the most gifts. And it’s apparent that all throughout the region, avid donors are making it rain—showing their love and support for our community in true gift-giving form. The Community Foundation also announced on social media that the first 50 organizations that received 50 unique donors earned an extra bonus of $500. And don’t forget, this year your donation to each organization will be matched up to $100, thanks to The Patterson Foundation. There is still time for you to see your favorite local nonprofits make it up on the Leaderboard by noon today! #BeTheOne
To see for yourself just how these 24 hours turn into the gift that keeps on giving, SRQ Media partnered with The Community Foundation to create a ‘Moving Story’ on how local nonprofits have used Giving Challenge funding to make our community a better place. Check out the link to the video below—smiles are guaranteed!
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to partner with SRQ Media Group to highlight stories about community impact powered by philanthropy in our region, thanks to the support of donors and our local nonprofit partners. The Community Foundation is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org
The force will surely be with you this Friday, as a special “May the Fourth” Star Wars-themed blood drive and awareness event will commence, in memory of Benjamin Gilkey. Benjamin Gilkey was nine years old when he died in 2017 from relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, after battling the pediatric cancer since his diagnosis on New Years Eve of 2014. He was ultimately the recipient of 100 blood and platelet transfusions during his two years of care at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. His parents are now joining hands with local facilities, sponsors and families who have been affected by cancer to put together this commemorative event to honor their son.
"May 4th would have been Benji's last day of treatment if he hadn't relapsed," shares his mother, Laura Gilkey. "We can't let the day go by without commemorating his bravery, and the bravery of the people who selflessly donate blood and bone marrow to save the lives of others."
The event will feature a OneBlood blood drive, a Be the Match bone marrow registry, lunch from Nancy's Bar-B-Q and a lemonade stand operated by two of Benjamin's Johns Hopkins All Children's friends who are celebrating the end of their cancer treatment. Lunch will be provided to blood donors free of charge. Other guests at the event are encouraged to purchase food and drinks (cash only). Proceeds from the sales will benefit The Benjamin Gilkey Fund for Innovative Pediatric Cancer Research at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital—created to help improve, prolong and preserve the lives of children like Benjamin, who are unbelievably strong.
Located in the shaded west parking lot at the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care Facility, come give the “force of life” to those who need it most on Friday, May 4th, 10am to 2pm.
Images provided by Laura Gilkey & The Benjamin Gilkey Fund for Innovative Pediatric Cancer Research
Johns Hopkins All Children's Outpatient Care, 5881 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, 34238, 941-927-8805.
Summer is just around the corner, and CareerSource Suncoast is in the midst of planning the 2018 Career Academy, a three-week intensive experience for rising 11th and 12th grade students to gain hands-on experiences and earn industry-recognized certifications.
Career Academy is broken into three segments:
Infrastructure focuses on the building of “self.” During this week, students will learn key transferrable skills required in any industry or profession. These skills include leadership development, conflict management, personal branding, financial literacy, communications, time management, professional etiquette, resume/interviewing and more. Additionally, students will participate in a simulated society known as SIMSOC and go through Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Industry provides students with hands-on experiences in the areas they’re most interested in. When students apply to the academy, they’re selecting one of four career tracks: healthcare, hospitality, technology and business.
Lastly, Internship Week provide students with hands-on experiences at one of our regional businesses who will provide students with an experience to help them understand what industry they’re hoping to have a career in.
This three-week experience runs from June 11–28. For more information on CareerSource Suncoast’s Career Academy, visit www.careeracademysuncoast.org.
Sarasota County is encouraging property owners, both year-round and seasonal, to sign up for the CodeRED alert notification system. CodeRED allows residents to receive calls, email alerts or text messages about events that could impact their neighborhood and help protect their family or property. Alerts include water or sewer interruptions, missing person alerts, major traffic detours and severe weather warnings. The CodeRED Weather Warning, which is an opt-in only service, will automatically notify those registered of tornado, flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings just minutes after an alert is issued by the National Weather Service. Individuals and business owners with a physical address in Sarasota County can sign up for CodeRED. To register, visit the website below.
Maggie Davenport has joined Premier Sotheby's International Realty as a Sales Associate in the firm’s Lakewood Ranch office, and will work in tandem with award-winning Broker Associate Michelle Crabtree. Crabtree, a Ringling graduate, brings creative marketing and design skills to the partnership, as well as a keen interest in Sarasota’s Downtown and bay front districts. The pair’s shared confidence in the Sotheby’s philosophy, blended with their areas of expertise, create enjoyable and efficient experiences for buyers and sellers alike. Premier Sotheby’s International Realty is a leading luxury real estate brokerage firm in the markets it serves, providing exceptional service and market knowledge to buyers and sellers of single-family homes and condominiums throughout Florida and in the Carolinas.
Ivy Neyedly has joined RE/MAX Platinum Realty as a realtor in the downtown Sarasota office. Formerly with Keller Williams Realty Select, she specializes in residential properties in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton. Neyedly has been involved in the real estate market for 30 years as a real estate investor. A native of Toronto, Canada, she has a background as a purchasing manager, bringing an abundance of professional negotiating skills. She also has extensive experience providing excellent customer service obtained during a previous career as a case manager/adjudicator for the Worker’s Compensation Board at the Government of Ontario. RE/MAX Platinum Realty offers full-service residential real estate solutions in Sarasota and Manatee counties in Florida, specializing in luxury and waterfront properties.
This exhibition showcases the surprising and little examined, role of nature in Warhol’s art and life. The spectacular 15-acre tropical setting of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens on Sarasota Bay will provide a matchless context for examining Warhol’s fascination with the natural world in this focused, immersive exhibition. It is curated by Carol Ockman, Ph.D., curator-at-large of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the Robert Sterling Clark Professor of Art History at Williams College
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 South Palm Ave., Sarasota.
Artwork made of marine debris including Greta the Great White Shark and Natasha the Turtle will arrive to Mote Marine this winter. This exhibit will bring awareness to the 4.4 pounds on average of trash genereated by each American daily. These larger-than-life sculptures are entirely made from plastic and other debris gathered from the Oregon Coast.
Mote Marine, 600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota
In this new exhibit inspired by Mister Rogers' Factory Tours, kids learn firsthand about the tools and processes used to manufacture everyday objects.
South Florida Museum, 201 10th St West., Bradenton.
Experience Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” during the Asolo Rep’s outdoor performances. The lawn behind Payne Mansion will serve as the backdrop to this comedy anchored by the entire ensemble of second year graduate actors of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 South Palm Ave., Sarasota.
Sheila Callaghan breaks all the rules of our image-obsessed culture in this raw, audacious comedy about the unreasonable expectations demanded of women and their bodies. Gleefully vulgar, bitingly poignant and raucously unafraid, Women Laughing Alone With Salad is a gender-bending feminist fantasia with balls. For more information please visit www.urbanitetheatre.com for show times and tickets.
Urbanite Theatre , 1487 Second Street, Sarasota
"Brush Up Your Shakespeare" with the best of the Bard. This tongue-in-cheek musical revue is a collection of songs inspired by the world's greatest playwright. From relevant to irreverent, from soulful to sinful, from "Get Thee To A Nunnery" and "Othello's Rap" to "What A Pieve of Work is Man" and "Tonight."
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota
Wise, heartfelt, and often hilarious, this anthology of award-winning short plays highlights the most creative and imaginative writing from Elementary school students. Performed by a cast of professional actors, these authentic stories from the minds of children contain laughter, lessons, and learning for us all.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota.
We will end our Finding Maestro Season in spectacular fashion as acclaimed violin soloist and former concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, Glenn Dicterow, performs John Williamsʼ themes from Far and Away and Schindlerʼs List. The program also features classics from Oscar-winners Henry Mancini, Jerry Goldsmith and Ennio Morricone.
Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Sarasota.
Hu Dost combines genres of neo-folk and world-rock in their eccentric tunes. The duo consists of Moksha Sommer and Jemal Wade Hines. Their music has a genuine quality that evokes both tears and laughter among listeners. Opening the show is the Hot Club SRQ duo, Kevin Aland and Jon McLaughlin.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
Featuring nationally renowned and local speakers, food preparation demonstrations, plant-based food, live music from a variety of talented musicians, dance performances, eco-friendly vendors & exhibitors, humane education, a veggie kids zone, yoga classes, film discussions, a veg parade, and more, the event is fun for all ages, genders, and species.
Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
Join us for SRQ Magazine's SALSA DE MAYO FESTIVAL on Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 10:30-1pm outside at Morton’s Market in Southside Village, Sarasota. Local chefs are invitied to create an interpretive gourmet salsa to compete for the title of Best Handcrafted Salsa. Attended by food enthusiasts, families and neighbors, Salsa de Mayo showcases innovative creations from fire-roasted poblano salsas to shrimp salsa ceviches! Join us to celebrate the magazine's 20th Anniversary as we turn up the heat!
Morton's Gourmet Market, Outside, 1924 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota
In aconcert that is sure to capture the essence of bustling city life, some of the world's greatest cities provide the backdrop for this Discoveries program. Beethoven's mighty music speaks of the Parthenon's destruction in his Overture to The Ruins of Athens. Night music creeps through sultry Madrid streets in Boccherini's highly evocative Quintet in C Major. See the Big Apple through the lens of dance in excerpts from Leonard Bernstein's ballet Fancy Free and and Gruber's lively swing-style Manhattan Broadcasts. Copland's Quiet City casts the bustling metropolis in subdued and achingly beautiful colors.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
A party at White Buffalo Saloon will kick off this year's 5 week Tarpon Tournament. This tournament is historic and has taken place in Sarasota anually since 1930. If you’re looking to make new friends, have some fun and test your angling skills, come fish with us and yours could be the next name on that trophy. Tarpon are world-class game fish and are easy to access directly off Sarasota’s beautiful beaches. Described as one of the most exciting fish to catch, tarpon are known for spectacular leaps and determined fights. For more information, click the following website: http://www.sarasotatarpontournament.net/.
White Buffalo Saloon, 5377 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota.
The final performance series from Sarasota Contemporary Dance will comprise of diverse new works by past company collaborators and dancers which celebrates the company’s past and future through impactful collaborations.
Jane B Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Come out and enjoy a beautiful day of golfing for a good cause. Proceeds will benefit Sarasota Teen Court's substance abuse reduction, anti-bullying and character development classes that they provide for young people.
The Meadows Country Club, 3101 Longmeadow., Sarasota.
Join the Sarasota Orchestra for a fan-friendly outdoor Pops concert at Ed Smith Stadium, home of the Orioles. Get yourself a hot dog, some popcorn, and sit back to enjoy the Orchestra in the outfield. The concert will showcase Broadway stars Deedee Magno Hall and Cliffton Hall. Conducted by Andrew Lane, the musicians of the Sarasota Orchestra will play a wide range of popular music including songs from La La Land, Grease, Les Misérables, scores from Disney films and other fan favorites.
Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota.
Bringing its 41st Annual Juried Exhibition to Bradenton, the Southern Watercolor Society takes over all three of ArtCenter Manatee’s galleries with a collection juried by international award-winning master watercolorist John Salminen. In addition to the exhibit, each annual show brings with it a watercolor workshop for interested artists. Salminen will be teaching the workshop as well.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St. W., Bradenton
Watch Bradenton's favorite, fierce roller derby squad face Swan City in their home arena. Prepare for a night of tough competition and keep the good times rolling to benefit Ewenity Farm, a herding dog haven.
Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, 5309 29th St. East, Ellenton.
Sponsored by Rethinking Plastics, the goal of this screening is to raise awareness regarding the average American's overuse of plastics. Americans use roughly 60,000 plastic bags a day for a few minutes of single use before it is thrown away. Jeb Berrier's film, Bag It, follows where "away" is and the fate of these plastic bags. For environmentalists and for those looking to learn more, the film is an interesting piece that will open eyes to just how much we use plastic, why that is harmful and what people can do.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
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